GASHA is Cirquework’s newest contemporary circus work — a vivid, sensual, and chaotic vision of near-future Japan where bodies, cultures, and aesthetics collide.
The production imagines a world reminiscent of a futuristic pleasure district: a labyrinth of neon haze, fragmented memories, and digital noise. Performers of diverse backgrounds enter this strange landscape, their bodies marked by different histories and physical vocabularies. As they gather, clash, and intertwine, the stage becomes a living organism — shifting between seduction and volatility.
Japanese aesthetics appear only as flickering traces: the shadow of a traditional silhouette, the rhythm of a ritual gesture, the sharp geometry of ink-black light. These fragments merge with digital projections and pulsing electronic sound to create a world where tradition is not preserved, but fractured and reassembled.
Aerials slice through beams of cold light. Acrobatics unfold with both tenderness and danger. Bodies spiral through fog and color, moving like circuitry brought to life.
The cast brings an array of kinetic languages: aerial technique, acrobatics, contemporary dance, and object manipulation — refracted through a distinctly Japanese filter that makes the movement feel both ancient and futuristic.
Lighting sculpts shadows into sharp silhouettes. Video projections shimmer like unstable memories. Digital sound pulses with a seductive urgency.
GASHA is not a narrative. It is a state — a fever dream of identity, intimacy, and transformation. A place where beauty emerges from friction, and chaos becomes its own form of poetry.
This is the beginning of a new style of Japanese circus: bold, borderless, and irresistibly alive. Perth’s Fringeworld:- https://fringeworld.com.au/
Final tickets have been released for the Brisbane season of the 40th Anniversary Australian tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS which will play at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC for two weeks only from 6 to 22 February. Tickets have been released on pre-sale today with general public sales from Friday 21 November. Due to huge demand, one extra final performance has been added to the Brisbane season, on Tuesday 10 February at 7pm, and it is on sale now. The record-breaking, iconic production is currently playing in Perth after rapturous audience response and rave reviews in Sydney and Adelaide. ★★★★★ “Fun, energetic and nostalgic – CATS is the purrfect night at the theatre” – GlamAdelaide “Inexplicably magical” – First Class Magazine “Bursting with talent” – Stagenoise “This fresh production is a great way to celebrate 40 years” – AUReview “An immersive spectacle” – Sydney Morning Herald “Electrifying. A spectacle of transformation” – Theatre Thoughts
The coveted role of Grizabella, the former “glamour cat”, is played by Gabriyel Thomas (“Gabriyel Thomas’s rendition of Memory is so hauntingly beautiful it sends shivers down the spine” – Theatre Thoughts), while audience favourite Todd McKenney plays the dual roles of Bustopher Jones and Asparagus the Theatre Cat (“Todd McKenney has the audience in his paw thanks to his comic timing” – Adelaide Advertiser), and classical performer Mark Vincent returns to the musical theatre stage as Old Deuteronomy, the patriarch of the Jellicle tribe (“Mark Vincent brought sonorous gravitas” – Sydney Morning Herald). Recently seen as Roxie Hart in the sold-out national tour of Chicago, Lucy Maunder has taken on the role of Jellylorum, while the rebellious cat Rum Tum Tugger is Des Flanagan. WAPPA graduate Jarrod Draper plays Munkustrap, and returning to CATS after many years is Leigh Archer as the motherly character Jennyanydots, also known among the tribe as the “Gumbie Cat”.
The remainder of the company includes Sarah Bourke (playing Tantomile), Olivia Carniato (Demeter), Mia Dabkowski-Chandler (Bombalurina), Tom Davis (Skimbleshanks), Ella Fitzpatrick (Jemima), Charlie Follows (Bill Bailey), Joshua Gordon (Coricopat), Chaska Halliday (Cassandra), Dominique Hamilton (swing), Tim Haskayne (Mr Mistoffelees), Claudia Hastings (Victoria/ White Cat), Aimee Jones (swing), Savannah Lind (Rumpleteazer), Joe Miller (swing), Jake O’Brien (Mungojerrie), Xavier Pellin (swing), Guy Pik (Carbuckety), Rania Potaka-Osborne (Alonzo), Edward Smith (Admetus/ Macavity), Thalia Smith (swing) and Tod Strike (swing).
“I’m thrilled to bring this 40th Anniversary Australian tour of CATS to Brisbane with the most fabulous cast,” said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live. “CATS was revolutionary when it began 40 years ago and Australia has an enduring love for the show. Now it’s time to let the memory live again. Melbourne, queue up to grab your tickets before they sell out as it’s only in town for five weeks!”
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS has been captivating audiences around the globe since it opened at the New London Theatre (now known as the Gillian Lynne) in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances, winning both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. Since then, CATS has been presented in over 50 countries, translated into 23 languages and has been seen by over 81 million people world-wide. On Broadway, CATS played for 18 years and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The musical tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to “The Heaviside Layer” and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
The timeless musical score includes the hit song Memory, which has been recorded by more than 150 artists including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Scherzinger, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Barry Manilow. With “timeless music, spectacular sets and a superb cast” (Daily Mirror), breathtaking choreography and of course the unforgettable Memory, CATS is a magical musical like no other.
Get your tickets now for this iconic musical at catsthemusical.com.au and let the memory live again.
BRISBANE SEASON Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC Season: 6 – 22 February Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
PERTH SEASON Venue: Crown Theatre Season: To 6 December Performance Times: Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (schedule varies weekly) Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
MELBOURNE SEASON Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Season: 21 December – 31 January Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (schedule varies weekly) Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
S. Asher Gelman’s international hit play AFTERGLOW is heading down under for its highly anticipated Australian premiere! AFTERGLOW will play at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel from 30 January and at the Eternity Playhouse, Sydney from 26 February. The stellar cast of three comprises Julian Curtis (Gaslight, Cock, Dance Academy), gold medal winning Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham (Strangers in Between, Jock Night, The Pool) and Matthew Predny (Titanique, Avenue Q, Kinky Boots). When Josh and Alex, a married couple in an open relationship, invite Darius to share their bed for a night, a new and intimate connection is ignited. As all three men come to terms with their individual definitions of love, loyalty, and trust, relationships are challenged and futures are shaken. AFTERGLOW is a raw, funny and sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment, and modern love.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing AFTERGLOW to Australia!,” said writer/director S. Asher Gelman. “What began as an attempt to make sense of a painful chapter involving my own experience with loving more than one person has fundamentally altered the course of my life, and continues to do so. AFTERGLOW doesn’t provide any answers; instead it asks questions about both our individual and collective relationships to love, loyalty and trust, and I truly cannot wait for Aussie audiences to experience this labour of love, now nine years in the making.”
“Funny and sensual” ★★★★ – Queer Guru
“Achingly beautiful” ★★★★ – Everything Theatre
“Passionate and poignant” ★★★★ – Revstan
“Incredible… should not be missed!” ★★★★ – Theatre Reviews
After its critical success Off-Broadway and a season which ran for 18 months, and productions around the globe, AFTERGLOW now brings its modern, intimate exploration of desire, honesty and connection to Australian audiences!
AFTERGLOW
Playwright/Director/Choreographer S. Asher Gelman
Lighting Designer Jamie Roderick
Set Designer Ann Beyersdofter
Producer Midnight Theatricals
SEASON DETAILS
MELBOURNE
Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Dates: 30 January – 21 February
Performance Times: Mon-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm, Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: chapeloffchapel.com.au
SYDNEY
Venue: Eternity Playhouse, Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Dates: 26 February – 22 March
Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm (or 2pm & 7pm 28 Feb only), Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: www.afterglowtheplay.com.au
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today revealed the young actors who will be playing the roles of Annie and her orphan friends in the upcoming Brisbane season of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie, which opens at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC next month. Three gifted young performers will share the titular role of Annie – Matilda Casey, Dakota Chanel and Isabella Hayden. Playing the role of Pepper will be Stella Shiels-Winters and Kensi Simpson, while Violet Knight and Aenorah Wallace will share the role of Duffy. As Kate will be Jessica Kime and Aubrie Wildman, with Tessie played by Zara Boldery and Sienna Hannant. July will be played by Tilly Love and Claire Taylor, and Molly by Indigo Ohlin and Macy Salvana. Emily Birch, Dakota Bolt, Charlotte Edwards and Aneka Mitchell have been cast as Friday.
They will join the stellar cast led by Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role which took him to Broadway, and Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan. Rising star Mackenzie Dunn plays Lily St. Regis, Keanu Gonzalez steps into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan, while Amanda Lea LaVergne plays Grace Farrell. The original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, plays President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his musical theatre debut.
The talented ensemble cast is comprised of Luke Alleva, Cameron Boxall, Tim Brown, Emily Casey, Nakita Clarke, Andrew Dunne, Sebastian Johnston, Anna Mallows, Chloë Marshall, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Ryan Orphel, Madeline Pratt, Lisa Sontag, Suzanne Steele and Dean Vince.
“I’m extremely excited to announced this wonderfully talented group of young actresses who will be playing Annie and her orphan friends in Brisbane. They were chosen from hundreds of girls who registered for an audition, and all stood out as marvellous performers. They join the rest of the cast led by Anthony, Deb, Mackenzie, Keanu, Amanda and Greg – we have a spectacular company,” said John Frost. “This is a magnificent new production of Annie for a whole new generation. Line up now to buy your tickets to one of the most delightful and inspiring musicals of all time. Don’t wait until Tomorrow!”
This inspiring new Australian production, directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer and choreographed by Mitchell Woodcock, has been playing in Sydney and Melbourne to packed audiences and standing ovations. Here is what critics have to say about this unmissable production: ★★★★★ “The production was a knockout” – Melbournise Me; ★★★★ “Filled with optimism, joy and hope … a great reason for a night on the town” – Time Out; ★★★★ ½ “Annie offers a fun night out with its simple, classic storyline, beloved by many for generations” – Theatre Matters; ★★★★ “Theatrical sunshine” – Limelight; “This production is a triumph” – Australian Stage; “Annie proves the golden age of musical theatre is here…Broadway is so back” – thescoop.au
One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time, with its iconic score featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Easy Street and N.Y.C, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 years, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy® for Best Cast Show Album. After the Broadway run of almost six years, it has played in more than 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.
A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!
BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC Season: 27 December – 31 January Performance Times: Tue 7:30pm; Wed, Fri, Sat 7pm; Matinees Wed & Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm; Sun 1pm & 6pm (performance times vary each week) Prices: From $70 (Transaction fees apply) Bookings: anniemusical.com.au
