Get ready for an unforgettable school holiday experience as Cirque Nouvelle returns to Queensland for a strictly limited season, bringing its visually spectacular and high-energy contemporary circus to Brisbane (Friday June 26) and the Gold Coast (Saturday June 27). Following sell-out performances across Australia, this internationally acclaimed production features an elite ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancing artists, delivering a thrilling fusion of physical artistry, theatrical storytelling and modern stagecraft.
At the heart of the show is a charismatic and quirky ringmaster confronting a universal theme: change. Blending humour, heart and breathtaking skill, Cirque Nouvelle explores the evolution of circus—from the nostalgic wonder of the traditional Big Top to the bold, technology-driven spectacles of today.
Audiences are taken on a visually rich and emotionally engaging journey that honours circus traditions while reimagining what the future of the art form can be. Perfect for families these school holidays, Cirque Nouvelle promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its blend of daring feats, storytelling and theatrical magic. A new evolution of circus has arrived. Book now!
“Elevated by on-point storytelling, Cirque Nouvelle is a celebration of everything circus, highlighting its humble beginnings and showcasing what the future may hold as a sleek, theatrical spectacle for all.”
Sydney Dance Company returns with Engine, an exhilarating triple bill uniting three bold choreographic voices—Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz, and Melanie Lane—in a dynamic program of contemporary dance.
At its core is Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s The Journey Itself is Home, a striking new work inspired by the writings of 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō. Set to a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner, the piece delves into the interplay between movement, memory, and place, offering audiences a deeply immersive and reflective experience.
Making its Australian premiere, The Mass Ornament by Berlin-based Spanish choreographer Fran Diaz reinterprets Siegfried Kracauer’s influential 1927 essay through a hypnotic contemporary lens. Accompanied by the evocative music of Henryk Górecki, the work explores themes of collectivity and connection, where individuality remains present within a powerful shared rhythm, creating a visually compelling and emotionally resonant performance.
Rounding out the program is Melanie Lane’s critically acclaimed Love Lock, a visionary reimagining of folk dance for a modern world. Drawing on shared cultural traditions and the urgency of global change, Love Lock is both celebratory and cautionary—highlighting dance as a unifying and transformative force. The production features intricate costumes by renowned Australian designer Akira Isogawa and an immersive electronic score by UK artist Clark.
Hailed by critics and audiences alike, Love Lock has received widespread praise: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…choreographed with electric intelligence by Melanie Lane.” – Sydney Morning Herald ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Love Lock is a work of bold genius and unfiltered creativity… It’s a cult I absolutely want to join.” – BachTrack ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…Love Lock feels exceedingly contemporary. In fact, it feels like a glimpse into the future. You just can’t look away.” – ArtsHub ★ ★ ★ ★ “Each element of Love Lock is expertly crafted… a spectacular explosion of colour, richness and immersion that leaves the audience craving more.” – State of the Art
Engine showcases contemporary dance at its most daring—bringing together distinct creative voices in a program that is both intellectually engaging and visually captivating.
Program The Journey Itself is Home – Rafael Bonachela The Mass Ornament – Fran Diaz Love Lock – Melanie Lane
Bubble Laboratory in association with Ethan Walker and Coliseum Theatre are thrilled to announce The Big Bubble Show… In Space! is arriving exclusively to the Coliseum Theatre in Western Sydney this July. Tickets go on presale from today and general sale from this Thursday 7 May with tickets available from https://coliseumtheatre.com.au/whats-on/the-big-bubble-show-in-space/
On July 15, for two performances only, witness the impossible as bubble rockets soar skyward, shimmering spheres fill with swirling smoke, and delicate creations merge and separate before your eyes. Be enchanted by shadow bubble puppetry, blazing fire bubbles, and a breathtaking bubble fire tornado. Marvel at perfect square bubbles, glistening bubble screens, and colossal bubble tubes that arc like galaxies across the stage.
Starring the brilliantly eccentric Dr Bubble and the delightfully playful Milkshake, this is a world-class theatrical experience that will ignite imaginations and leave audiences of all ages spellbound.
Executive Producer Ethan Walker said, “The Big Bubble Show …in Space! is designed to ignite imagination and deliver pure spectacle. From the very first moment, audiences are transported into a visually stunning world where science, art and wonder collide. It’s a show for all ages-playful, surprising and unlike anything you’ve seen before.”
CEO of West HQ, Richard Errington, said “Shows like The Big Bubble Show …in Space! play an important role in bringing high-quality, family-friendly entertainment to Western Sydney. This is the kind of accessible, world-class entertainment that continues to build Western Sydney as a destination for live performance.”
Blast off on a dazzling, soap-fueled journey through the cosmos in The Big Bubble Show… In Space!
THE BIG BUBBLE SHOW …IN SPACE! ARRIVES IN SYDNEY ON 15 JULY 2026 TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY Early Bird Presales: From TODAY Monday 4 May, 10am Tickets start at $29.90 plus booking fees. General Public On Sale: Thursday 7 May, 10am Tickets start at $29.90 plus booking fees.
An exceptional Australian cast led by award-winning director and performer Mark Taylor, and The Voice finalist Sian Fuller, will bring the eight-time Tony award-winning characters from Once to life in this cleverly reimagined production under the stewardship of Melbourne’s critically acclaimed independent production company, AG Theatre. With rehearsals well underway, the cast is preparing to bring this global smash hit to Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel stage, with preview performances starting from the 8th May. Renowned director Pip Mushin is at the helm of this much loved production, having enjoyed a stellar run with AG Theatre over the last 18 months including their recent sell out productions of Avenue Q and Mamma Mia.
Green Room Award-nominated creative Mark Taylor, who recently directed the recently nominated production of American Psycho, is stepping into the lead role of Guy. Playing alongside Mark is 2021 The Voice semi finalist and seasoned musician, Sian Fuller, who is taking on the lead role of Girl. Both of these incredible performers are joined by a stellar community of talent that includes the highly respected performer Donald Bridges as Da – who has just been announced as the recipient of The MEAA Equity Foundation’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The production also stars Western Australian actor and multi instrumentalist Frazer Shephardson as Billy; VCA student, vocalist and violinist Rose Stephens as Reza; actor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist James Frampton as Andrej; star of ABC TV’s The Piano and up-and-coming theatre performer John Yanko as Svec; seasoned international performer of stage and screen William Lopez as the Bank Manager; talented recent graduate of Federation University Misha Gordon takes on the role of Ex-Girlfriend; seasoned Melbourne musician, actor and composer Bridget a’Beckett plays the role of Baruska; young performer and violinist Felix Star plays Eamon; young child stars Lila Colombi, Imogen Young, Emersyn Orchard will play the role of Ivonka. The rest of this talented cast includes Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau (Kye Tamm) as Emcee; and Jackson Cross and Belinda Jenkin as swings.
Evolving from John Carney’s cinematic success in 2007 into a critically acclaimed stage production, Once has captivated theatregoers on Broadway and in London’s West End, thereby solidifying its distinguished position within the history of Western musical theatre. The production showcases the spell-binding score composed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, which notably features the Oscar-winning song, “Falling Slowly.” Once possesses the unique distinction of being the sole Broadway production whose musical composition has garnered the Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, and Tony Award.
Once is truly a production that combines the infectious rhythm of Irish céili, an incredibly talented cast of actor-musicians, an Academy Award-winning soundtrack and a heart-warming story, following a Dublin-born busker and vacuum-fixer as he meets a young Czech mother with a faulty vacuum cleaner who reinvigorates his passion for music.
Tickets are available for purchase now at https://booktickets.com.au/
A pre-sale offer is currently available, with all tickets priced at $89 until March 30th.
Once The Musical will play at Chapel off Chapel from Wednesday to Sunday from May 8th, 2026 until May 30th, 2026.
CAST LIST: Mark Taylor – Guy Sian Fuller – Girl Frazer Shepherdson – Billy Rose Chambers – Reza James Frampton – Andrej John Yanko – Svec Will Lopez – Bank Manager Misha Eve Gordon – Ex-Girlfriend Bridget a’Beckett – Baruska Donald Bridges – Da Felix Star – Eamon Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau – Emcee Lila Colombi – Ivonka Imogen Young – Ivonka Emersyn Orchard – Ivonka Jackson Cross – Swing Belinda Jenkin – Swing
PRODUCTION TEAM: Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar Director: Pip Mushin Musical Director: Timothy John Wilson Choreographer: Jamie White Production Design: Abbey Stanway Costume Design: Karen Spencer
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia) Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová Book by Edna Walsh
