The Red Tree Theatre will present two big shows this month, kicking off with a new piece of Australian theatre presented in conjunction with Jopuka Productions from September 9-19.
Set on New Year’s Eve, Back by Midnight follows five interweaving stories of young Australians learning to say goodbye.
As their parents settle in to celebrate their final night of vacation and the dawning of a new year, the teenagers and pre-teens of the Dolphin Shoals Caravan Park take off into the night to make the most of their final few hours together.
For two weeks at the end of each year, dozens of families from across NSW flock to the caravan park.
For the parents, it means swimming, summer sun, and sipping wine.
For the children and teenagers, it means living in a world where your days and nights play out like a film and you’re only expected to follow one rule: be home by midnight; two weeks of telling stories, exploring new spaces, reinventing yourself and forming intense connections with people you may never see again.
Directed by Rosie Ross, who directed Gosford Musical Society’s successful show School of Rock earlier this year, the play features a cast of 34 talented emerging artists.
The Red Tree Theatre Commission is an ongoing project created by Elderslee Foundation and Jopuka to create a new piece of Australian Theatre for young people aged 12-19 to perform in that is also engaging for the wider community.
It is modelled after Australian Theatre For Young People’s Foundation Commission and Back By Midnight is the second work to be staged.
The work was selected from 40 entries from across Australia.
The production contains, smoke, haze, loud noises, some rude language consistent with adolescence and adult themes.
It is suitable for ages 12+.
Jopuka Productions Co-founder and Artistic Director, Joshua Maxwell, said to give the next generation of storytellers a full dramatic piece to work on was “a vital part of the Central Coasts art’s ecology”.
Towards the end of the month, JD’s World of Magic will return to the theatre following a successful performance earlier this year on Thursday, September 29, at 11am.
The 90-minute show is presented by international award-winning magician Joel Howlett.
Howlett has been seen on such TV shows as Under Cover Boss, Today Show, Hey Hey Its Saturday, Mornings With Kerri Anne, NBN Telethon and The Disney Channel and has performed in the USA and New Zealand.
He gives magic lectures for his peers and in 2018 he won the CONDA (City Of Newcastle Drama Association) Award for best theatrical event.
The magical spectacular will feature sleight of hand magic of a calibre usually only seen overseas, in casinos or on cruise ships.
See the Red Tree Theatre website for full show details and bookings.
Source:
Media release, Sep 4
Red Tree Theatre
