Youth Arts

‘Macbeth’ by Sport for Jove Theatre company: A Bold and unique take, breathing new life into a timeless classic!

This modern retelling of one of Shakespeare’s most well-loved plays provides audiences with a new lens to view this tragedy. Director George Bander‘s choice to focus on key themes such as PSTD and grief gives the lines and poems a whole new meaning without changing a syllable of the original text. This play pays homage to the historical context without being carbon copy, striking the perfect balance between darkness and humour and finding ways to insert references to the modern day without cheapening the story.

This production places the spotlight on the Trauma of the Macbeths losing a child in a world surrounded by characters with fruitful royal lineages such as the Macduff's and Banquo. This provides a deeper context to the famous “unsex me” speech, delivered to its full capacity by my favourite actor of the night Tamara Lee Bailey. Showing Lady Macbeth struggling as a grieving would-be mother renouncing her motherly attributes allows the audience to see the reason for her madness and her desperate need for control. She is more than a vindictive power-hungry trophy wife, she has real weakness and real fears, and she is a victim to her situation just like everyone else in this play. This was truly a memorable moment.

That being said, this play is full of moments to remember; From the zombie-like weird sisters, to the hilarious Porter, to stoner uncle Ross… the entire ensemble of 9 actors worked together beautifully within the space, making fantastic use of the minimal set design. The talent radiated off the stage and the story touched everyone in the audience.

A particular detail I loved was the use of handheld microphones throughout the play. To me, this almost foreshadowed the transition and exchange of power and the throne throughout the story. During the prologue and opening scenes King Duncan speaks boldly and clearly, addressing the audience and commanding our attention just as a rightful king should. Later on, in the first half of the play, Both Macbeth and Banquo are invited to give a speech and given the mic. When given the power of the microphone, Macbeth is unsure of himself and flounders over his words for an uncomfortably long period of time. This mimics his paranoid nature when seizing reign over Scotland. Banquo on the other hand is short, clear and concise when on the mic. And finally at the end of the play the microphone returns to herald in king Malcom (played as the perfect typical teenager by Shannon Thomas.

To conclude, every meticulous detail in Sport for Jove’s Macbeth, enrichens the story and leaves you thinking not about a nervous knight and his insane wife, but about what good people are forced to sacrifice when corrupted by evil.

Ah, Macbeth… one of (in my opinion) Shakespeare’s best plays. This production, presented by Sport for Jove, takes this legendary play and places it in a modern light, while still keeping all the beautiful language of Shakespeare. The show was presented at Empire Theatre for its final production with a cast of only nine actors, who exceled at capturing the atmosphere and emotions that make Macbeth such a great play to experience.

This performance of Macbeth follows the story of the titular character, Macbeth, as he quickly rises to royalty in 21^st century Scotland. Macbeth, who after a devastating war in which he fought, Hears a prophecy from a band of three witches, and along with his grief-stricken wife, set out on a journey to gain power. One of the biggest details people gloss over in Macbeth is that Macbeth has lost a child, something that is shown during the opening scene. This simple fact gives the audience a feel for why Lady Macbeth would want her husband to murder the king, as him and all of Macbeth’s comrades have had multiple children, showing an element of jealousy and sorrow behind her actions during the play. We also see that Macbeth suffers from PTSD because of the war he helped fight in. This PTSD leads Macbeth to hating king Duncan and calling for revolution during the first scene.

There were two stand out performances that I would like to mention. The first being Macbeth himself, as the emotional turmoil that the actor portrayed on stage was simply astounding! Never in my life have I ever seen a more gut-wrenching performance. The actor that played Macbeth genuinely looked like he had killed someone and that he was going insane. The other mention was of the Porter, as his performance was really hilarious! The Scottish accent combined with the Porter’s comedic role made me cackle several times.

In conclusion, Sport for Jove’s production of Macbeth was simply one of the best. From the emotional pain that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth displayed to the impeccable and well-timed humour, to the inventive use of the set, Macbeth was a must-see performance that was captivating, thought provoking, and funny. If there is only one Shakespeare play that you ever see, let it be this one.

“It reminds me of our place in the universe, at least it reminds me!” 

Soul Trading written by Kate Walder and performed by the 2025 Empire Theatre Junior Impact Ensemble was one of the most hilarious whilst also heartwarming plays I have ever seen.  

Soul Trading tells the story of five school students in 2079 who each have an AI soulmate who was designed by the child’s parents with a future and all personality and characteristic traits prechosen. The AI soulmates would attend school with each of their children and assist them in pursuing their future whilst also assisting with general everyday tasks. But Geri is different, Geri doesn’t have a soulmate so instead she sneaks into the school’s library to print a soulmate: Neutron. Soulmates should never be printed on a 3D school printer and thus, Neutron is different to the other soulmates, she has a soul!

Soul Trading emphasises the disaster but also explores the happiness AI provides and depicts what the future may be like as AI and technology become our new normal. I personally felt I could resonate with the storyline behind Soul Trading as AI has already started to replace human careers, it wouldn’t surprise me to watch AI become everything in our world including taking care of children instead of parents.  

This cast was incredibly fantastic being between 10 to 14-year-olds from right here in Toowoomba but personally, my eyes were particularly captured by Neutron portrayed by Sammy Cheetham. The incredible acting capabilities and emotional execution of the performance by the cast was impeccable, and I couldn’t feel prouder of them for two incredible performances. Credit must be given to the Director Grace Sankey and Assistant Directors Eddie Pocknee and Ella Bentley on the incredible skills and knowledge to direct Soul Trading.   

An incredible congratulations to this cast and crew on an incredible performance which touched the hearts of many and provided many laughs!

Come From Away (originally developed in Canada) and now showing at The Empire Theatre tells the Heartwarming story of a small community overcoming the challenges faced after 9/11. This true story focuses on the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland where 7,000 passengers had to make an emergency stop following all planes being grounded due the tragic 9/11 attacks. The show tackles the difficult but very real topics of homophobia, racism, anxiety and the loss of loved ones. Although it may sound dreary and sad on paper, Come From Away manages to tell these poignant stories while still having the audience laughing and singing along, all the way through! Using humour, song and direct address Come From Away will make you laugh, cry and sing “I am an Islander!”.

The ensemble of 21 actors worked together flawlessly, making great use of the minimalistic stage design while effortlessly tackling the challenge of playing multiple complex roles, with a particularly strong performance from Jon Maskell as Claude, the Mayor (and a real person!). The wonderfully talented team of actors portrayed at times both a united community voice and overlapping chaos of a divided town under pressure. Taking the audience with them every step of the way without making them ever feel weighed down by the heavy subject matter, as the darker themes are juxtaposed with the utter hilarity provided by characters such as Annette (Gander local) and the two Kevins (LA couple).

Highlights from the show include the opening song, which is energetic light-hearted and punchy. Also, the pub scene in which “da plane people” and the Islanders finally become fully united as several of them become honorary Newfoundlanders. Furthermore, another heartwarming scene is shared between Beulah (Islander) and Hannah (Plane Person) as they bond over the shared experience of both having firefighter sons. These beautiful moments are the ones that hold the show together and the actors should congratulate themselves for playing them so adeptly.

From the Soundtrack to the set and the lighting Come From Away was constantly entertaining and packed a beautiful message as it effectively reminded us that “Because we come from everywhere we all come from away”

A heartwarming story of tragedy and togetherness, Come from Away was certainly one of the most touching and memorable musicals I have ever seen!

Come from Away presents a 6-show season in the main auditorium of The Empire Theatre closing March 23rd. Under the direction of an incredible creative team led by David Wynen – the director and choreographer, this musical touched the hearts of everyone who attended.

Come from Away is the story of 7000 passengers stranded within the aftermath of 9/11. These passengers were warmly welcomed into Gander, a small Canadian town in Newfoundland where they were offered shelter, food, water, blankets, clothing and other necessities.

Each and every actor involved in this show including the incredible orchestra and backstage singers brought this magnificent show to life. This is the most emotionally touching show I have ever been privileged to see, and this incredible cast truly brought the emotional execution required to bring this musical the justice it deserves.

The set designed by Frances Story was absolutely immaculate and gave the atmosphere from the moment you walked through the doors into The Empire. The costuming was absolutely incredible and added an extra level of depth to the storyline. The lighting and sound effects were also perfectly executed and all added to the effect that this show provided.

To know that Come from Away was presented by Toowoomba locals just made it even better. The creative team along with the cast, orchestra and backstage singers presented an amazing show that definitely left me speechless with teary eyes.

Don't miss Come From Away, tickets available on The Empire website. 

We sent our newest and youngest Highlighter, seven-year-old Sterling, to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar on its visit to The Empire this February. This colourful children’s show, filled with vibrant puppets, brought some classic picture books to life. After the show, we asked Sterling what he thought:

First off, there was more to the story than just The Very Hungry Caterpillar! “There was a Spider one, a Duck one, and Bear, Bear, What Do You See?” Sterling explained. “A bear sees lots of creatures and that’s all. Then there’s the spider one, where the animals talk to her but she ignores them because she’s too busy spinning her web. And the duck one is just, well, the duck factory makes a box of ducks, and then it goes on a cargo ship, and they all get lost.”

Sterling’s favourite of the stories? Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See because he’d read it before in “Japan”.

“You read it in Japan?” we asked.

“Yeah, not in English.”

“Oh, you mean in Japanese?

“Yeah, they didn’t say it in English, they said it in Japan.”

“Oh… and where did you read that one?”

“In Japan.”

(Sterling’s Mum confirms that he’s definitely never been to Japan. But clearly, his Japanese class has been picking some great storybooks!)

One of the best parts for Sterling was how the puppets looked just like the book illustrations. “They didn’t look realistic, but they were pretty,” he said, especially his favourite puppet, the Goldfish.

“What happened to the Goldfish?” we asked.

“Oh, he’s not here anymore. He’s only inside Bear, Bear, What Do You See? Because even in the Ducks, where they get lost in the ocean, they didn’t use the Goldfish. They only used Arctic creatures, like a polar bear and a dolphin.”

He also loved the Whale’s big entrance, especially how they made its puppet. “They kind of just showed his tail and the top of his head, like he was splashing up for a breath.”

And of course, there were plenty of funny moments! Sterling’s top picks? The Purple Cat hissing and The Caterpillar getting really “chonky.”

When we asked if the show used music or sound in a fun way, Sterling gave the most seven-year-old answer possible: “Yeah.”

“Yeah, how?”

“Like… with speakers.”

He did elaborate, though! He loved how the music made the show feel “smooth” and “like a great thing.” The set was “pretty cool” too, with doors, walls, and windows for the animals to pop out of, like a Horse!

So, who should see The Very Hungry Caterpillar? According to Sterling: “Any person who likes the story.” And why? “Because it’s so funny and pretty.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! 🐛✨

Romeo and Juliet is one of the most iconic stories ever told; forever intertwined with passion, love, hate, revenge, expectation and destiny. However, it is also one of the most overdone stories. Every person who has been through the pleasure (not) of 9th/10th grade has had to delve into the tale of those two lovers. 

STARCROSSED however is a beautifully told modernisation of the tale that captures exactly what it can be like growing up in the present day; the messy, the beautiful, the funny, the reckless. I was delighted to find that it was written and produced by a group of Toowoomba’s youth, which makes sense why it resonated with me and I’m sure many others, with tasteful references that didn’t feel like cheap excuses by out-of-touch adults trying to appeal to 'kids these days'.

The camp setting, characters and their motivations, plot and set design all created an engaging atmosphere that truly had me hooked from the start. The comedic choices were brilliant, the dynamics felt organic, and the actors in the Senior IMPACT Ensemble showed true dedication and talent that left me speechless. This is not to say the show didn’t have any gripping moments; quite the contrary. Between scenes, a haunting eerie voice would speak as if cursing the campers, changing the tone completely. The twists and out-of-the-blue developments left me on the edge of my seat by the end, watching everything unravel in front of me.

My favourite funny scene would have to be any scenes with the camp leaders Charlie (Levi Paroz) and Phineas (Ben Thomas). Their comedic choices and timing were brilliant and had me laughing every time they came on stage (and running off it). My favourite deeper storyline however had to be the reveal of Rei’s (Lara Anderson) secret to Eli (Logan Sanders). As a queer kid, it single handedly explained exactly how I feel while also showing one of my biggest fears on the stage. I felt seen.

STARCROSSED is definitely a production I hope to see again one day and one that will stick with me. Its relatability, comedy, emotion and atmosphere created one epic show. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this show, it was definitely a pleasure to watch. 

Although I have seen many musicals and productions in my life, this production was certainly one I will cherish forever.

STARCROSSED was the story of rivalry, revenge and romance performed within a 90-minute show in the Empire Theatre’s Heritage Bank Theatre. Under the guidance of the Empire Youth’s Arts team, Toowoomba’s Senior IMPACT Ensemble 2024 presented a two-show season here at the Empire.

This modernised version of Romeo and Juliet depicted how theatre can bring our youth together even if it means they must undergo many challenges to unite. This performance was continuously taking unexpected twists and turns which added an extra element of excitement and curiosity throughout.

My favorite element of this production was the way in which it featured a group of Toowoomba’s youths and gave them an opportunity to write and bring to life a production that will stay in their hearts for many years to come. Seeing how this show depicted the challenges we are currently facing through societal expectations made me realise just how much of a struggle our youth face.

Each and every actor in STARCROSSED brought such a level of talent and professionalism to the show which made me so grateful to be growing up surrounded by such talented young artists. There wasn’t a point in the show where I thought the actors could have brought any more enthusiasm to this show as there was always such a positive energy that you could feel was between the cast even in the times of tragedy throughout the show.

The way in which the stage was set for the show was an incredibly effective use of space and really helped to add an extra level to the storyline with a realistic summer camp set. The costuming was spectacular as it truly was so special to that summer camp.

STARCROSSED truly was a show that I could never forget through the incredible acting and dedication of our Toowoomba Senior IMPACT Ensemble 2024.

Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle is an amazing First Nations stage production made for kids, that tells the story of a turtle called Migi, and her journey. This play was created by Stephen Page to introduce children to the world of stage and drama. The play does this by engaging with their younger audiences, either through funny lines, dances or by breaking the fourth wall and interacting with the kids.

Migi the turtle is first seen in the show in her egg, but as the show progresses, she hatches and is faced with some difficulties, but luckily a woman is there to help her from her nest and into the ocean, and even from a reptilian predator. The show is filled with humorous and light-hearted themes and is recommended for ages 3-8. A moment such as when the children help Migi and her siblings out into the ocean, made the show very special and memorable for the young audiences. 

I loved the way the show used lighting and design. For example, I loved the projections at the back of the stage because they were so pretty, and your kids will too. Besides that, the actors did an incredible job of telling this story.

In my opinion, you should definitely take your kids to see this show, because it will be something they will enjoy very much and be something special for them to remember, all while they meet the beauty of storytelling. 

I always feel very privileged to be able to see live First Nations theatre and The Visitors was no exception.

Set during the landing of the first fleet The Visitors depicts a group of First Nations Elders having a meeting where they are deciding whether or not they let The Visitors, being the First Fleet, land.

The play was so so powerful; the manipulation of staging was absolutely brilliant, and the plot and dialogue of the play really made it a standout. The full play ran for 90 minutes, with no intermission. Throughout this the seven actors never left the stage creating a 90-minute glimpse into history, into a conversation. A real conversation that also wasn't one-sided. As an audience member I had a completely different idea to how I believed the play was going to go, and was impressed when it was instead a real, authentic, multi-sided discussion. Some characters changed their minds while others stood rooted to what they believed. 

There was a line in the play that really stood out to me; "Born of the land, belong to the country, that's who we are as people." As someone who is not First Nations, I know that the land I live on, that I tell stories on, does not belong to me. It is and always will be Aboriginal Land. How beautiful was it to see a story as powerful as The Visitors told right here at The Empire. 

I fully believe more people should've seen this run. When I went the audience was sparse. The show is important for so many people to see as it's a story of a less heard side of history, and there are some people in the Toowoomba community who would've benefited from seeing this show as it is a truly eye-opening experience.

The show really did shock me, I have learnt about the first fleet countless times, but hearing such a realistic conversation, the stories and troubles faces by First Nations communities really moved me. I left wanting to learn more, wanting to hear and see more First Nations stories and theatre. The Visitors was incredibly powerful and I was so lucky to have seen it. 

Always was, Always Will Be.

Our Egg Named Larry was a heartwarming and well-constructed stage show performed by the 2024 Junior IMPACT Ensemble, showcasing the ups and downs of friendship and teamwork. The play was Co-written and Directed by Grace Sankey and with Sheldon Mcloughlin, and input was provided from the cast to make the production similar to modern life, including the use of everyday Gen Z language.

In Our Egg Named Larry the characters are given a task by their teacher to prove they are responsible enough to go to the school disco. Despite the students’ beliefs that it is unfair, they are assigned a project to take care of an egg, which they later name Larry, together. Over the course of the show, you get to watch as the relationships between each of the characters develop, and how the trust within their group blooms.

This production was very comedic and fun, but also includes themes that are a little deeper, and that some people might be able to relate to. The cast did amazing job at expressing how sometimes it is painful to get everyone to work together, especially if they are Year 9 students with completely different personalities.

Together the cast of Our Egg Named Larry was incredible, but individually they all did such an amazing job. As someone who relates to the character Brian and his experience with his parents separating, watching his monologue and his unveiling of those emotions of confusion and frustration was brilliant. Overall, the casts performances and how the trust between the characters grew, was something I will never forget.

I loved how the lights spotlighted on an individual character to give them a moment of solidarity, allowing them to express how they really felt; for example when the lighting focused onto Summer and she told the audience about how she feels the need to keep everyone happy. I also really enjoyed the use of the area, extending from just on stage to in front of the curtains to make it feel like they were really in different places.

Once again, this play is must-see production by some very talented young actors who have worked very hard to make this the best show they can, which they have definitely succeeded in. It included teamwork, trust and friendship between a group of clumsy Year 9 students and an egg named Larry.

Whisked away to a classic tale, The Empire Theatre’s 2024 production of Rodger and Hammerstein ‘Cinderella’ was nothing short of perfect. Directed by Tim Hill the show was a spectacle, from the costumes to the choreography everything was straight out of a fairytale.

The story follows Ella as she navigates a life of hardships, from a wicked family to poverty Ella is a strong and powerful female character. She dreams of different lives around the world and eventually gets to follow that path as she attends a masquerade dance. The show follows all the typical story beats of the classic tale but with modern twists, the added revolution, cries of poverty and corrupt government powers adds a sense of realism amongst the magic, the way the characters overcame their troubles with humour and love was truly magical. I really enjoyed the way each character was given depth, they all had hopes, wants, and dislikes and it provided for a deeply entertaining show.

Every single actor was amazing, but multiple had me fixated the entire show. Shannon Gralow as Cinderella was true perfection, the vocals she delivered were straight out of a Disney film. She gave Ella humour and passion outside of her kindness. Flynn Walmsley played Jean-Micheal, a regular townsman with a heart of pure gold, he fought to bring attention to the kingdom and the royals about the sufferings if their kingdom, paired with Flynn’s outstanding comedic timing Jean-Micheal was a standout character. Finally, a character that captured my attention was Lydia Cunnington as Charlotte one of Ellas stepsisters. Her performance of ‘Stepsisters Lament’ was bright and captivating making her a personal stand out.

The costuming was gorgeous, the choreography was fabulous, and the dancers were absolutely incredible. This show is truly amazing, nothing short of perfect, The Empire Theatre created magic on the stage I plan to see it twice more. The magic was sealed with a shooting star outside the theatre I never wanted the clock to strike midnight.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella played a 6 shows season at The Empire in 2024 attracting a total audience of 6,500 people. 

Cinderella, directed by Tim Hill at the Empire Theatre was breathtaking. Every scene, costume, character, background and moment of the story was special and they couldn’t have made this masterpiece any better than it already is.

The show is based on the story of a girl named Ella (Cinderella), who lives with a horrible stepmother and two spoiled stepsisters. The play focuses on Prince Topher and Ella’s relationship as they meet and get to know each other. There are strong themes of friendship and of some protest, with characters mentioning the troubles and struggles of poor people in comparison to rich people. I am a big fan of the romance and tense themes that the show portrays. I felt excited at every new scene, waiting for what amazing idea they would include in the play.

I love how Cinderella’s relationship with Prince Topher/Christopher grew. Prince Topher seems to be very interested in Ella as a person, not rejecting her kindness just because she is poor. I also love Cinderella’s honesty and trust with the prince. She didn’t try to be his “dream girl,” she just acted as she did every day, like herself. 

In general, all of the actors did a great job, but there were a few performances I could not get off of my mind. Shannon Gralow (Cinderella) is such an amazing and talented person. Being able to act as well as she did in the show is one talent itself, but being able to sing incredibly well, too is truly astonishing. I must point out Flynn Walmsley’s performance on stage, too. Flynn Walmsley played my favourite character, Jean Michel. As soon as he walked on stage, I am sure the whole stage loved his energy and humour because I sure did. I am a fan of how he portrayed Jean Michel and the character’s memorable personality. 

The use of lighting when the Fairy Godmother used her powers was very creative. I also loved the costumes. Since parts of the show was set in a palace, there were many different coloured ball gowns that looked absolutely gorgeous. Out of every set there was, my favourite was the cottage Ella, her stepmother and her stepsisters lived in. There were so many interesting, playful and creative elements hidden inside and out, such as a piano hidden inside a set of drawers, a fox and raccoon and much more. Again, this show was breath taking and I highly recommend it to everyone. There are jokes anyone would enjoy and in general it is really just an incredible show with incredible dancers, actors and singers.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella played a 6 shows season at The Empire in 2024 attracting a total audience of 6,500 people. 

A blank white sheet serves as the backdrop, tall and imposing. The workers, dressed in their orange jumpsuits and topped with hardhats, are ordered in rank-and-file, their hands over their chests as the very distorted anthem of the cloud corporation plays.

Static Air, presented by the Senior IMPACT team, was focused around a group of workers at a cloud-factory, working on and on day after day until they discover an abandoned radio shack, and start up their very own (makeshift) radio show, in an effort to generate hope for the rain-starved populace. The radio shack, filled with side conversations, energy and joyfulness, was quite contrasted by the slow, weary movement of the factory, with each ‘day’ of the play ending with a loud horn call and the burdened changing of the ‘DAYS UNTIL RAIN’ sign. The Attenuators, bodiless voices serving as the cloud factory’s managers, also provided an autocratic theme to the whole cloud factory. I quite enjoyed it - I certainly can understand creating an autocratic dictatorship just for the chance to have more rain.

Every now and then, the Director would chime in with a message, though it was increasingly suggested that perhaps the Director wasn’t who he claimed he was. This was never fulfilled, though, and I am quite sad that I never got to find out about what this pre-recorded message fully contained. I’m perfectly happy with the music the team used to interrupt the Director’s messages, which were very fitting with the dystopian theme of the cloud factory.

Overall, Static Air was a quite enjoyable play about drought and radio shacks and overburdening managers, though there were a handful of points that I would’ve loved to see - like, what sort of uniforms do the Attenuators wear? I want to see giant trench coats!

Out of all the shows I have had the opportunity to review at The Empire Theatre this season, Shack is my all-time favourite so far. 

The plot of Shack is about nine school friends that are separated from their parents in a blizzard. They end up finding themselves in an abandoned shack which, thankfully, contains quite a few useful tools.

There were several moments throughout the show’s narrative where one of the characters would make a mistake or do something the group had not agreed on. However, they always figured it out and found a solution by discussing the situation with a friend.

I would say the moral of the story is about the importance of getting along with peers in difficult situations, whether or not the circumstances are ‘life threatening’ or just working at a school project. 

I actually auditioned to appear in this show but I was not selected. Therefore, to see actors my age perform in this show and do such a splendid job was really inspiring and motivates me to keep working at my own acting skills.

The actors demonstrated great skill and were superb at performing in sync with the sound effects and lights. There were so many things happening at once it was almost overwhelming for my senses.  

The use of props was very effective and incorporated so well into the show. The set was super cool and a feast for the eyes.

My favourite aspect of the whole play was the character of Rufus, the comedic relief character, who would make funny jokes or comments to lighten the mood. He made the whole audience laugh without fail every time. He was a well written character and performed brilliantly. 

Shack is an outstanding play. It has lots of heart while also containing plenty of laughs. I would definitely recommend it for audiences of all ages.