Giving the public the opportunity to secure seats to their first four shows: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, First Casualty, don’t ask what the bird look like and Bernhardt/Hamlet, single tickets to Queensland Theatre’s 2022 Season are now on sale.
Artistic Director Lee Lewis says she is looking forward to connecting with a wider audience next year through the diverse array of storytelling on stage. “2022 is full of big, brave, bold shows that will prove the power of live storytelling,” she said.
“The classics are seen with modern eyes, and our new plays speak to issues that matter to us right now. Boundaries will be pushed, complacency will be challenged and we will laugh a lot. We want to invite people who have never been to the theatre to take a chance on a story told live in front of them.”
“And we want to welcome back audiences who love theatre into vivid worlds with rich characters, wrestling with ideas that are exciting. Life is better with theatre!” said Lewis.
Opening the 2022 season on 12 February, Margaret Harvey is directing Edward Albee’s electrifying masterpiece Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Harvey will enthrall audiences with her fresh vision of the classic, offering a dangerously funny portrait of a marriage in crisis.
After much anticipation, First Casualty – a world premiere that delves into the experiences of Australian soldiers at war – written by serving Australian Army Lieutenant Colonel, Christopher Johnston, will play from 12 March.
From May, Hannah Belanszky will take audiences on a journey as she reflects on her experience as a fair skinned First Nations woman through don’t ask what the bird look like. Directed by Queensland Theatre’s Associate Artist, Isaac Drandic (City of Gold), this story explores our relationships to culture with a light touch of humour and a philosophical undercurrent.
Breaking boundaries in June, Lee Lewis takes on Theresa Rebeck’s Bernhardt/Hamlet. Following the real-life backstage story of Sarah Bernhardt as she upends the status quo, feminises the sacred role of the Prince of Denmark and attempts to save her debt-ridden theatre.
With tickets on sale for the first four show, Queensland Theatre has also announced the cast for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Taking on the role of a middle-aged married couple in crisis is Jimi Bani (Our Town, My Name Is Jimi) as George and AACTA Award winning actress Susan Prior (Suddenly Last Summer, Riflemind) as Martha. Bani will also grace Queensland stages in late 2022 as the lead for the Company’s uniquely Australian adaptation of Othello.
“What I’ve found really interesting in the casting for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was this incredible opportunity to bring this nearly 60-year-old play into a modern context,” said Harvey.
“Albee never intended to write about race but by casting this play cross-racially, we explore deeper layers of the text, revealing a race-power dynamic which is incredibly relevant to conversations about the state of Australia today.”
Playing the young couple who become embroiled in drama will be Rashidi Edward as Nick and Juanita Navas-Nguyen as Honey. Set and costume designs will be carried out by Ailsa Paterson, Lighting Design by Nigel Levings and Composition and Sound Design by Andrew Howard.
As the 2021 Season wraps up, Queensland Theatre reflects on the incredible, box-office record-breaking triumphs of the year that’s been, and looks forward to 2022 as an opportunity to share powerful, personal stories with the local community.
For more information about Queensland Theatre’s 2022 Season, or to purchase tickets to the first four shows, visit: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – courtesy of Queensland Theatre Company