Merrigong News

  • 30 Jul 2010

    The Song Company presents 'L’amfiparnasso' by Vecchi

    The Song Company in collaboration with Drew Forsythe present

     

    “Exquisite music meets Italian comedy”

     

    L’amfiparnasso by Vecchi

     

    The Song Company presents this Italian masterpiece of musical comedy in Wollongong. Hear the Song Company’s vocalists as they create the voices of familiar Commedia dell-arte characters in a storyline that is a rollercoaster of love triangles, trickery and treachery. Watch how Sydney Wharf Review’s much loved actor Drew Forsythe’s gift for mimicry and mime is put to the test as he assumes the roles of a mean-hearted old man, a verbose doctor, an over-amorous Spanish captain, a pair of young lovers and an assortment of scheming servants. All delivered with the backing of period instruments played by Tommie Andersson and Laura Vaughan.

     

    It will be a night of ravishing Venetian sound that “still has the power to move audiences to laugh after more than 400 years”.

     

    One night only –

     

    Monday 9 August, 2010 at 7:30 pm

     

    Wollongong City Gallery

     

    Tickets $15 student, $32 under 30, $35 concession, $45 adult

     

    Book now - www.songcompany.com.au or call (02) 8272 9500.

  • 22 Jul 2010

    Bring us your Aussie inflatables!

    Merrigong Theatre Company needs a hand in decorating IPAC’s foyers for the upcoming comedy AUSTRALIA! The Show! Bring your blow-up to IPAC’s box office before Tuesday 10 August to help set the scene for our silliest show of the year.

     

    Please note – Merrigong will ensure that your items are well secured to the ceiling/walls or weighed down on the floor. Items can be returned to you via the box office Tuesday 24 August. However we are not able to take responsibility for any punctures or stolen items, so don’t bring your most prized possession!

     

    Here's one we prepared earlier :-)

  • 24 Jun 2010

    South Coast Children's Festival 2010

    South Coast Children's Festival, 1 - 3 October 2010

    Merrigong Theatre Company and Illawarra Children’s Services are delighted to announce the launch of a major new annual event for the NSW South Coast: The South Coast Children’s Festival.

     

    With the motto ‘Inspiring Children’s Creativity’, the festival will provide the best of children’s theatre, performance and creative arts, encouraging participation and promoting the benefits of creative expression in children’s learning.

     

    Merrigong’s Artistic Director / CEO, Simon Hinton, says “we’ve looked for some time at how we could complement our program of school holiday shows with a major event focussed on children and are really excited that with a partner like Illawarra Children’s Services we are now able to make it happen.”

     

    With the Illawarra Children’s Services biennial Creativity Conference kicking off proceedings on 30 September, IPAC’s theatres and the adjacent Civic Plaza will come alive during 1 - 3 October with three jam-packed days of workshops, art, music, roving artists, and professional theatre shows for families with children aged 0 - 12 years.

     

    The detailed program is still top secret, but Merrigong is excited to reveal the three theatre shows on stage: Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo, an unrivalled, highly interactive dinosaur puppetry show; Imaginary Theatre’s Tashi returning with two brand new stories Tashi and the Big Stinker and Tashi: The Swan and the Dragon and the ever-popular Monkey Baa Theatre For Young People bringing us their highly acclaimed musical adaptation of the classic children’s book Fox.

     

    Beyond providing Illawarra families with an inspiring program of activities and entertainment, the Festival also secures Wollongong’s place on the map for family trips and holidays from neighbouring regions.

     

    Illawarra Children’s Services General Manager Jennine Primmer says “to combine our conference on creative education with a festival program of this calibre is a dream come true for us. We are so excited to partner with Merrigong Theatre Company to produce this innovative festival for every child and family in our community and hopefully beyond.”

    Check Merrigong's website or www.ics.org.au regularly for updates, or find more on Facebook.

  • 15 Jun 2010

    Merrigong Theatre Company Productions update

    On the 18th, 21st and 22nd June, director Anne-Louise Rentell will work with the Death In Bowengabbie writer Caleb Lewis and three actors (Jo Turner, Octavia Barron-Martin and Bryce Youngman) to workshop what is currently a one man show, into a play for three people, prior to rehearsals starting in mid October...looking forward to getting our teeth into it!

    And in July/August version 1.0 will undergo the second stage of development on The Table of Knowledge, a new performance work. A five week development period will commence at the University of Sydney (hosted by the Department of Performance Studies) and culminate in two weeks on site here at IPAC, before a public showing as part of Ruff! New Works in Progress on Sat 7th August. We’re looking forward to having the version 1.0 team in the building again!

  • 26 May 2010

    Merrigong's 2009 Annual Report is now available to download

    Merrigong's 2009 Annual Report has now been released. Please click here to download the PDF version.

  • 24 May 2010

    Centro dining offer extended

    The Centro Ristorante é Bar dining offer for our patrons has been very successful, so we have decided to extend it until the end of the year.  To see the offer, please click here.

    Centro is located at 28 Stewart St, Wollongong. Tel: (02) 4227 1797.

    The restaurant is open for lunch Tues - Fri and for dinner Wed - Sat.

    www.centrorestaurant.com.au

  • 07 May 2010

    2010 Australian Dance Awards nominee shortlist announced

    The shortlisted nominees for the 2010 Australian Dance Awards were announced yesterday, with Bangarra Dance Company receiving multiple nominations. The nominations were for ‘Outstanding Performance by a Company’ for Fire – A Retrospective, and ‘Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer’ (Daniel Riley McKinley), with Artistic Director Stephen Page also being shortlisted individually for Services to Dance. Daniel Riley McKinley is one half of the double bill in Of Earth and Sky, with Frances Rings, coming to IPAC 16 - 18 September.

    Visit Arts Hub to read more about the 2010 Australian Dance Awards nominations.

  • 03 May 2010

    Just announced: the full Roadshow line-up for Wollongong!

    The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow roll call for Wollongong includes Justin Hamilton of Good News Week infamy, musical duo Smart Casual and the utterly delightful Celia Pacquola. And the news we’ve all been eagerly awaiting - the final acts just announced for the Wollongong bill! They are Miles Jupp, who joins us all the way from the UK, and rising comedy star, Joel Creasey. Miles Jupp is an actor, comedian and writer who has appeared in countless British sit-coms and has been performing stand-up on the Scottish circuit since 2000. Joel Creasey has been performing stand-up for two years and was asked to support Fiona O’Loughlin on her next tour. He’s also a Melbourne International Comedy Festival Best Newcomer nominee.

    MILES JUPP

     

    Miles Jupp

    Miles Jupp is a bit of a polymath, with a sizable CV of television and radio appearances as a stand up, an actor and part of sketch team The Lost and Lonely Rebels. Some of you may know him as Archie the Inventor from the BBC children’s series Balamory. His stand up is far from suitable for under-fives though, as he swears and rants at all that cross his rambling path.

    Launching his stand up career by winning 2001’s So You Think You’re Funny competition on Channel 4, he went on to be nominated for a Perrier Award just two years later for his show Gentlemen Prefer Brogues. His Comedy Festival offering, Telling It like It Might Be is transferred directly from his acclaimed run at 2009’s Edinburgh Fringe. A troubled mixture of indignity and politeness, (when he gets going picture Colin Firth with steam coming out of his ears), Jupp has carved a niche for himself that he can work to full effect. You have to love a guy who refers to The Chippendales as “those buff American dance chaps". His delightful wordsmithery and mellifluous tones are difficult to tire of.

    "There is not a wasted word or an uncrafted moment in this hour". **** - The Scotsman August 2009

    "Jupp is intelligent, charismatic and one of the most accomplished raconteurs" - TimeOUT UK

    JOEL CREASEY

    Joel Creasey 
    (image courtesy of The West Australian)

    At only 19, Joel Creasey is one of Australia's youngest working comedians. He has been performing stand-up for two years. Fiona O'Loughlin enjoyed Creasey’s show Slumber Party so much that she asked him to be her support act on her next tour. "She came to my show one night and she has a great laugh, which I could hear from the stage," Creasey said. "I used to watch her on the Comedy Gala when I was little, so having her watching me in my little 70-seat venue was amazing."

    He said his act was inspired by the idea of what happens at slumber parties. "They all have good intentions to be a wholesome night of fun but when the parents go to bed, it's just gossiping and backstabbing — and I’m very good at those things," he said. Creasey also tells stories about his brush with celebrities including Condoleezza Rice, Judi Dench, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga. "I met (Lady Gaga) before she was huge, when she was normal – and by normal I mean before she was putting crustaceans in her hair," he said. "I met her back stage and she was sort of dressed in a giant red condom which I thought was great."

    MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL BEST NEWCOMER NOMINEE 2010

    “I was blown away, I could swim in a vat of Joel with my mouth wide open!” - Fiona O'Loughlin
    "Utterly brilliant" - Entertainment Report, 3AW
    "Rising Star" - Today Tonight
    "The first performer of the night was Joel Creasey, whose brand of self-depreciating humour and knack for story telling and crowd interaction marked him as a face of the future."  - 3rd Degree
    "The wonderful 19-year-old Joel Creasey, who in only a short time has gained a legion of loyal local fans in love with his edgy and bitching attitude." - The West Australian

    Don't miss the Roadshow when it comes to Wollongong, 27 - 30 May.

  • 07 Apr 2010

    Drama Studio student up for a Logie Award

    Anastasia Feneri started drama lessons at IPAC when she was seven years old, and has just been nominated for a Logie Award for her role in the ABC children's drama My Place. Emma Shaw of The Illawarra Mercury published an article about Anastasia's Logie Award nomination. Click here to read it.

    Congratulations to Fiona Gabb-Finley, who runs the Drama Studio, and to Anastasia on their achievements.

    If you are interested in finding out more information on Drama Classes at IPAC, please click here.

  • 29 Mar 2010

    James Galea on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

    James Galea, who is headed to IPAC 3 - 7 August with his show Lying Cheating Bastard, made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week. He performed several card tricks that were simply amazing. Check out the video on The Ellen DeGeneres Show website.

  • 25 Mar 2010

    A Hive of Creativity

    Laura Caesar and Malcolm Whittaker have been in the Bob Peet Studio the past two weeks working on the first stage development of their durational piece Star****ers. Version 1.0  are in the bunker that is the Gordon Theatre this week getting their heads around content for a new work about Wollongong.

     

    Shows in the building this week include Toy Symphony and the Australian Chamber Orchestra Soloists, making us packed to the rafters with people, instruments and bustling activity. It's all very exciting stuff!

  • 10 Mar 2010

    First 3 acts announced for Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow

    Melbourne International Comedy Festival have just announced the first three acts for the Wollongong leg of the Roadshow - and haven't we scored some comedy gems! You'll be laughing yourself silly when these acts hit the stage. They are:

    Justin Hamilton
    As seen on Good News Week.

    The man has a plan. Well, the idiot man-child has a plan. Three years until he turns 40. Three years to develop some real skills so he can get out of comedy and do something important with his life. Like feed the poor or inventing a hat that keeps the sun off while cooking dim sims. It all starts here and this s&!# is about to get real!

    WINNER Festival Directors' Award
    WINNER Piece of Wood Award

    Justin returns to his roots in this show. Do yourself a favour and see stand-up the way it's supposed to be done.

    "You should not miss this performance. *****" - Adelaide Advertiser
    "Brilliant again. ****1/2" - Adelaide Advertiser
    "Intelligent, original and profoundly funny." - Sunday Age
    "A rare treat. *****" - Adelaide Advertiser

    http://www.justinhamilton.com.au

    Smart Casual
    Stars of the 2009 Comedy Zone and 2008 Raw Comedy National finalist, Smart Casual is Roger David (on guitar) and Fletcher Jones (on beard), arguably Australia's smartest, most casual musical duo.

    The dudes bring their s&!#-hot brand of low-fi-com-rock in their show about their life story to date - two half-brothers living together as a musical comedy duo.

    In 2009, they featured in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's hand-picked selection of hot new talent, The Comedy Zone, before going on to tour internationally on the Festival Roadshow. By international, they mean Singapore.

    Crowd favourites at The Sydney Comedy Store throughout 2009, they also wowed audiences at the 2009 Brisbane 'In Stitches' Festival. They also 'wowed' each other, by agreeing to turn 'wow' into a verb for this blurb.

    "Exceptionally clever and well executed...destined for big things." - Buzzcuts

    Celia Pacquola
    Last year she made a splash in Melbourne and Edinburgh, this year she's gunna fly. Following her multi-award winning debut show Am I Strange? (WINNER Best Comedy 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival, WINNER Age Critics Award for Best Australian Act 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival) Celia Pacquola brings us some of her thrilling new stand-up.

    "Jaw achingly funny. ****" - The Age
    "Emotionally candid and frequently insightful, but with a warm, winning playfulness. ****" - The Scotsman 
    "The real virtue of Pacquola's show is its emotional honesty...But is it funny? Well, yes.****" - The Guardian
    "Extremely funny...Utterly delightful. ****" - Time Out London

    Click here or phone the box office on (02) 4224 5999 to book for the Roadshow, at IPAC 27 - 30 May.

  • 09 Mar 2010

    Looking for Local Artists

    Currently the walls in the foyer at IPAC are bare! Any artists out there with a link to the performing arts who are interested in the opportunity to hang their work for 3 – 6 months this year, please contact Artistic Associate Anne-Louise Rentell on ARentell@merrigong.com.au or (02) 4224 5910.

  • 05 Mar 2010

    TaikOz on ABC's Arts Nation

    ABC TV's 'Art Nation' will be screening a segment on Australia’s leading taiko drumming group, TaikOz. Watch it on ABC1, Sunday March 7th at 5.30pm, or on ABC2 at 7pm. It should give some fascinating insights into the group and their latest production, Shifting Sand. TaikOz will be bringing this production to IPAC on 9 & 10 April.

  • 01 Mar 2010

    Frances Rings in the Illawarra Mercury

    Wombarra-based choreographer Frances Rings shares a double bill with Daniel Riley McKinley in Bangarra's Of Earth and Sky, coming to IPAC 16 - 18 September 2010. Click here to read the feature article, written by Jodie Duffy for the Illawarra Mercury Weekender, 27 February 2010.

  • 24 Feb 2010

    Congratulations to the Raw Comedy Wollongong heat winner

    The 2010 Raw Comedy Wollongong Heat was performed to the largest audience yet on Tuesday 23 Feb. With Tommy Dean as MC and almost 20 contestants, the crowd roared with laughter and showed great support for upcoming local talent. Amazed by the calibre of comedians, the judges chose not two but three runners up this year!

    Winner: Hayley Neal
    Runners up: Adam Armitt, Hamish Sinclair and Ben French

    Congratulations to all the contestants for all the spectacular performances!

  • 22 Feb 2010

    Kitty Flanagan - another performance added!

    Due to popular demand, Kitty Flanagan now has a second show happening at IPAC on Saturday 13th March at 7.45pm. Tickets and show information are available by visiting or phoning the box office on (02) 4224 5999 or by clicking here.

  • 11 Feb 2010

    Tommy Dean will MC the Wollongong heat of Raw Comedy

    An American born and bred, Tommy Dean has the unique edge of being an American who understands Australia, its audiences and above all what makes us laugh. He has proved to be incredibly popular with audiences across the nation and is firmly established as one of Australia's most sought after comic performers and writers.

    In much demand on the live circuit, Tommy is a regular headline act in comedy venues around Australia and has performed in many of the leading comedy clubs around the world. He's appeared on Spicks and Specks, Rove Live, The Glasshouse and Good News Week and has written for shows such as O'Loghlin on Saturday Night, BackBerner and The Fat.

    We're very excited that Tommy will be joining us on 23 February to MC the Wollongong heat of Australia's biggest and most prestigious open-mic comedy competition, Raw Comedy.

    Check out this YouTube video of Tommy performing at the Cracker Comedy Festival in 2007.

  • 04 Feb 2010

    Great discounts on pre- and post-show dining.

    ... until June, Merrigong and Centro will trial the following offer:

     

    Patrons who present a valid ticket to a show at IPAC, either 2 hours before the show or one hour afterwards, are able to ‘buy one main or entrée and get the second free up to the value of $20 or less’.

     

    Please present at least one ticket between two people. The offer is subject to availability. Centro is located at 28 Stewart St, Wollongong. For bookings, please phone (02) 4227 1797.

    www.centrorestaurant.com.au

  • 19 Jan 2010

    Rick Miller Artist Talk

    Rick Miller Artist Talk

  • 18 Jan 2010

    On sale now: single tickets to all Merrigong shows.

    We're very excited to announce that single tickets to all Merrigong Season shows are now on sale! Our 2010 season is one of the best yet with great theatre and dance, gripping drama and some outstanding international treats!

    Our first theatre season show of the year is fast approaching, so book now before the wildly popular MacHomer is sold out!

    Don't forget it's not too late to  take advantage of great savings by becoming a Merrigong Season Ticket Holder. Pick up a booking form from the box office or download it here.

  • 14 Jan 2010

    Merrigong-produced show is a great success in Sydney!

    Rick Miller in MacHomer

     

    Here’s what the media said:

     "ASTONISHING!..  Miller is able to flip from one character to another without missing a beat, at breakneck speed... MacHomer is great, but Miller is the real king here."

    - The Daily Telegraph, Sydney

     

    “(MacHomer) provides brilliant solo performer Rick Miller with an opportunity to show off his extraordinary mimicry skills”

    - The Australian

     

    "Astonishingly accomplished and cannily cast... Miller is adept at nailing the voices, and extraordinarily fast at switching between them."

    - Sydney Morning Herald

     

    “HILARIOUS!... Could one man really retell Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth in 75 minutes — using the voices of characters from The Simpsons?  As Ned Flanders might say: abso-tively!”

    - Oz Baby Boomers, Sydney

     

    Merrigong Theatre Company’s Artistic Director / CEO, Simon Hinton, is delighted by Sydney’s response to Rick Miller’s MacHomer: ‘We’re so pleased that the show is so popular with Sydney audiences and have no doubt that the performances in Brisbane, Wollongong and Bathurst will do very well too. Rick’s ability to switch between dozens of voices and characters is astounding, and incredibly entertaining’.

     

    This hybrid of Macbeth tragedy and Simpsons comedy has been wildly popular throughout the world, seen by an estimated half million people in more than 150 countries. With Homer in the lead and Marge as Lady MacHomer, Miller recreates the voices of more than 50 characters from the iconic TV series for a unique high-low cultural fusion.

     

    What began as a fringe festival mash-up of two dysfunctional families in 1995 has now evolved into a multimedia spectacular, full of sound and fury! Join the half a million Simpsons/Shakespeare fans on 4 continents who have made MacHomer one of the world's biggest little hits. 

    Merrigong builds on its reputation for bringing to Australia some of the world's great theatre companies.

    MacHomer is the second international show toured in Australia by Merrigong. Last year Kahlil Ashanti’s comedy hit Basic Training was brought over from the United States for a 14-venue national tour. Plans for a tour of another great show in 2011 are currently in the pipeline.


    For tickets to MacHomer at IPAC, call the box office on 4224 5999 or click here.

  • 24 Dec 2009

    Aromas @ IPAC - a fond farewell.

    Patrons please note, Aromas @ IPAC ceases trading on Thursday 24 December 2009.

    Refurbishments will be carried out early in 2010 for a new café/restaurant to open later in the year.

    A huge thank you to Sally and her staff for all their hard work and fantastic contribution to IPAC over the years.

    Please visit the Aromas Café page to read Sal's farewell message to her customers.

  • 17 Dec 2009

    Back By Popular Demand - Menopause the Musical!

    This uplifting 90-minute production includes parodies from the ‘60s and ‘70s and ‘80s. It culminates with a salute to women who are experiencing The Change.


    Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance at a lingerie sale. The all-female cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer 'The Silent Passage'! It is a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal!

    Menopause The Musical has entertained audiences across the country in more than 250 US cities as well as internationally in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and United Kingdom. Women of all ages and stages find their spirits lifted by the show’s light-hearted look at menopause. It is estimated that nearly 11 million women in 14 countries have attended a performance since the show’s opening in Florida in 2001.

    Menopause The Musical encourages a healthy dialogue about issues of aging and women’s health and provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness with female audiences.

     

    Perhaps you or someone you know would love a girls night out with plenty of laughs! Get your tickets here or call the box office on (02) 4224 5999. Stay for drinks after the show - the bar will be open! Group bookers also receive a free glass of bubbly each.

     

    Menopause the Musical, featuring the cast of the 2009 production.

  • 15 Dec 2009

    Season's Greetings

    Season's Greetings

  • 14 Dec 2009

    Theatre Development Program 2010

    In 2010 Merrigong will be offering a limited number of Artist in Residence opportunities for independent artists and groups to have access to space and some technical support for the development of new work – the process of applying is outlined below. If you are a playwright, please also contact us as per the application process outlined below.

     

    Stage 1: An informal conversation with Artistic Associate, Anne-Louise Rentell – this enables a discussion about your project and its needs.

    Stage 2: Project submission, details of which will be provided to applicants after Stage 1 (it will be an easy submission to complete).

    Stage 3: Consideration by the Merrigong Artistic Team and notification of outcome to the artist.

     

    All applicants will be informed of notification dates on submission. If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact Anne-Louise to discuss them further on 4224 5910 or arentell@merrigong.com.au.

  • 16 Nov 2009

    Treasure Hunting

    For the fifth Treasures from the Vault, we’re serving up High Tea with a delectable array of evening delights:

     

    Drew Fairley has been a regular Vault Cabaret MC since 2004. He has also been commissioned by Merrigong with co-writer Kate Smith and Phil Scott to write The Itch, a new piece of musical theatre for a future Merrigong Season.

     

    Jack Druce is a Class Clowns and Raw Comedy Wollongong winner and was the Melbourne Comedy Festival Raw Recruit winner in 2007.

     

    Ben French was the Raw Comedy Wollongong winner 2009 and a Class Clowns runner up in 2005.

     

    Dansatori is a new independent professional dance company based in Helensburgh.

     

    Sugar Candy is the creation of Heidi Hillier, one of Wollongong’s favourite cabaret/burlesque performers. Heidi recently created her own solo show, Lost and Found – the Sugar Candy Show, which was also supported through the Merrigong Theatre Development Program.

     

    Circus Wow runs regular circus classes for women out of the Fairy Meadow warehouse shared with Circus Monoxide.

     

    Tia Wilson is multi–talented! A comedienne, musical talent, local high school teacher and a former member of Cheeky Tzatziki.

     

    Nick Rheinberger is an ABC local radio DJ and muso. His solo show, developed through the Merrigong Theatre Development Program, will be seen in at The Vault in Port Kembla in 2010.

     

    Georgia Frew is a 13 year old singing sensation from the Southern Highlands.

     

    This annual celebration of the infamous Vault Cabarets has something for everyone! Get your tickets here.

     

  • 13 Nov 2009

    Welcome to Merrigong's Season 2010!

    Following a successful year in 2009, Merrigong is delighted to reveal what’s in store for Season 2010. As well as a year jam-packed with great theatre and dance companies, hilarious comedies and gripping drama, Merrigong has made some exciting new additions such as the new ‘Flexi’ 10 Pack Theatre Pass, an 11 show Theatre Season, a more flexible exchange policy than ever before, a revamped Merrigong Mix and a new range of rewards for returning Season Ticket Holders. We've also given the website a makeover! We hope you enjoy browsing the site and encourage you to let us know what you think on Facebook. While you're there, check out the photos of the Launch. It was a fantastic evening, with plenty of familiar faces to be seen and quite a few new ones too!

    If you haven't already signed up to our e-news and Facebook group, take a moment to join up so we can keep you up to date on all events, news and special offers.

  • 08 Nov 2009

    Merrigong's production of 4 Plays About Wollongong has opened successfully

    Merrigong's very own production of 4 Plays About Wollongong opened to a full house Saturday night. The Merrigong team was proud and relieved that the play was very well received by the local audience. Director Anne Louise Rentell says 'it's been a very big project for us and there have been some great challenges, so it's incredibly reassuring to see the positive audience response. I think there's a sense of pride and belonging when a work reflects the world in which people live'.

    4 Plays About Wollongong runs at IPAC until Wed 18 Nov.

    Image: Terry Serio, Adam Booth and Clare Bowen

  • 06 Nov 2009

    Making Theatre More Accessible

    Merrigong will open up a world of theatre to more people that ever before in 2010. People with a profound disability, who require attendant care support will be able to present their Companion Card to Merrigong’s box office when purchasing a ticket to any show to receive a second ticket for their companion at no charge.

    The benefits of being a Companion Card holder have been life-changing according to many who have them. They include enjoying improved social networks and increased feelings of social inclusion, confidence and dignity.

    Merrigong has also endeavoured to make theatre-going accessible to everyone, from wheelchair access and bathroom facilities, headphones for patrons with hearing impairment and a captioning system on two full colour plasma screens.

    The Gordon Theatre has a hearing loop, allowing those with hearing aids to hear more clearly, and headphones are also available. For more information on how to obtain a Companion Card, visit www.companioncard.org.au or phone 1800 893 044.

     

  • 20 Oct 2009

    4 Plays About Wollongong Development Update

    The first play reading of 4 Plays About Wollongong proved to be a fascinating insight into the development process. The Illawarra Mercury and several Merrigong Whole Shebang subscribers listened as the four actors read through the play for the first time. Two of the playwrights, Simon Luckhurst and Mary Rachel Brown, were also in attendance. Director Anne-Louise Rentell is currently locked away in rehearsal with the cast, and says they're "...rocking along, with the cast getting to grips with up to 6 characters each across the four plays. Hard work but a lot of fun!"
    Director Anne-Louise Rentell chatting to attendees of the first play reading:

    Anne-Louise chats to attendees of the first play reading

    Anne-Louise chats to attendees of the first play reading

  • 13 Oct 2009

    Congratulations to the Tashi Colouring-In Competition Winners!

    With such a wealth of fantastic entries it certainly was no easy decision to pick the two winners of the Tashi colouring in competition! First prize of a $50 Angus & Robertson gift voucher went to Holly Ann, age 10. Second prize of a $30 Angus & Robertson gift voucher went to Emma, age 7.

    Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to everyone who sent in an entry.

  • 02 Oct 2009

    4 Plays About Wollongong Cast Announcement

    Exciting news on our production for this year, 4 Plays About Wollongong - the four cast members have just been confirmed! They are as follows:

    CLARE BOWEN - a University of Wollongong Faculty of Creative Arts graduate (2007), Clare is a star on the rise. Most recently seen in David Field’s film The Combination, in 2010 she will also appear in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Spring Awakening.

     

    TERRY SERIO – Terry was most recently seen, and was unforgettable in the smash hit production of Keating! playing both Bob Hawke and John Howard. With an extensive career in film, television and theatre, Terry is also well known for playing Johnny O’Keefe in the TV mini-series Shout!

     

    ADAM BOOTH – Adam is a NIDA acting graduate and since graduation in 2006 has worked as both actor and producer on independent theatre productions in Sydney, including the recent production of Under Ice and Stoning Mary both part of Griffin Independent, Ladybird for BSharp and as producer on Killer Joe also for BSharp.

     

    LIZ BURCH – Liz is probably best known for playing Dr Chris Randall in The Flying Doctors but she has appeared in theatre and numerous TV shows over the years, most notably Blue Water High, CrashBurn, Wildside, Water Rats and Home and Away.

     

    Watch this space for further updates on the development process.

     

  • 25 Sep 2009

    Merrigong's Phone Numbers Have Changed

    Merrigong Theatre Company has switched over to a new phone system that has meant changing all our telephone numbers. New phone numbers for box office, administration and staff can be found on our Contacts page www.merrigong.com.au/contact.

  • 18 Sep 2009

    The Arrebato Ensemble ticket offer – a 33% saving!

    ‘Arrebato’ is a Spanish word meaning ‘a sudden and intensive burst of emotion, a feeling of fury or ecstasy’. It is apt in describing the ensemble’s original music composed by flamenco guitarist Greg Alfonzetti & cellist Damien de Boos-Smith.  

    At times ferocious and at others quietly stirring, the Arrebato Ensemble explores passionate musical territory, bringing to life a vibrant mix of instruments, backgrounds and cultures.

    Together with band member’s - Dave Ellis, Stuart Henderson and Andrew Poniris – and guest vocalists and dancers – Alfonzetti and de Boos-Smith have created a passionately moving style of music with an intensely international flavour with contemporary flamenco as the compositional and rhythmic driving force while also encompassing jazz, world and chamber music’s.

    Following packed houses in the Apollo Bay & Camden Haven Festivals & a sold out season at the Sydney Opera House Arrebato Ensemble play Wollongong for ONE NIGHT ONLY - Friday 25th September 2009, 8.15pm.

    All tickets are now at the concession price of only $25 - that's a 33% saving! To take advantage of this fantastic offer, simply visit or phone the box office on 4226 3366 or purchase tickets online http://merrigong.com.au/shows/arrebato-ensemble.html. 

  • 17 Sep 2009

    Art on the Walls @ Aromas Café

    ‘Art on the Walls’ was established by Merrigong Theatre Company in 2006 to showcase local visual artists who are inspired by performance or conversely whose work inspires performance. Artistic works are hung on the walls of Aromas Café at IPAC. Currently on display is a new exhibition featuring works by Irina Bruckner. Irina often listens to music when she paints and says her work is inspired by what she hears.

     

    Irina’s artworks are figurative and make use of symbolic elements derived from dreams, folk tales, past experiences, history and art. Her latest works incorporate metaphors, often of her roots; of what she has left behind and where she is headed off to. These are often in the form of folk tales and mythology, which infiltrate her paintings with images from everyday life and historical events occurring in literature, conversations, news, art works or music.

     

    Irina’s story is a fascinating one. She was born in the former Soviet Union, which is commonly called Russia, but to be exact, her birthplace lies somewhere in the steppes of Kazakhstan, in a military camp, where her father used to work in the late 60’s and early 70’s constructing nuclear shelters during the Soviet vs. China crisis. They lived near a nuclear testing field, surrounded by the eternal steppes that were also inhabited by the local population of Kazakhstani sheep and horse herders. Irina initially studied Art at #1 Art School, Almaty and then continued her studies in Abaj Atyndagy Almaty Memlekettik Universiteti, Kazakhstan. She has lived in Australia for 12 years.

     

    Merrigong continues to showcase the work of local visual artists on Aroma’s walls for two very simple reasons: there is a huge pool of talented visual artists in the community who interact with and find inspiration in the performing arts and local performing artists; and the work looks fantastic on the walls in the café. Merrigong is very pleased to be able to provide wall space for Illawarra artists at no cost and for no commission. To date, they have exhibited the work of Alannah Driese, Peter Solway, Anna Glynn, Lorraine Brown and the Coomaditchie artists, Kathryn Orton, David Kemmery and now Irina Bruckner. 

  • 04 Sep 2009

    Dance Masterclass with Frances Rings #2

    Acclaimed choreographer and dancer, Frances Rings ran a masterclass in indigenous contemporary dance and movement for intermediate and advanced level dancers in August – the first in a series at IPAC. The second one is scheduled to run on WEDNESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER, 11am – 1pm. This is a great opportunity for emerging young dancers to work with one of the country’s most respected choreographers and dancers.

     

    *Eligibility: you must be 14 years and over and you must have intermediate to advanced level training in contemporary dance or ballet.

    *Fee: $15 (to be paid once accepted into the masterclass)

    *To apply: Send a letter/email outlining your experience and why you would like to attend this masterclass to:

     

    Anne-Louise Rentell, Artistic Associate, Merrigong Theatre Co, PO Box 786 Wollongong NSW 2520 OR arentell@merrigong.com.au.

    For more information call: (02) 4226 3699 ext 110

     

    ABOUT FRANCES RINGS: Frances is a descendant of the Kokatha Tribe and German ancestry. For Bangarra Dance Theatre Frances choreographed Rations, Unaipon, X300 and co-choreographed Bush. In 2006 she choreographed Debris for West Australian Ballet and in 2007 Belonging as part of a double bill with Narelle Benjamin for the 08 Sydney Festival. In 2009 Frances travelled to the Banff Centre in Canada to participate in the International Indigenous Choreographers Residency and Summit. Later in the year Frances will choreograph a double bill for Tasdance with Anton called Identity. Frances has danced in works by many of Australia’s leading choreographers and companies including; Bangarra, Legs on the Wall, Meryl Tankard and Leigh Warren. Her awards include Best New Australian Work (Helpmann), Female Dancer of the Year (Deadly), and Outstanding achievement in Choreography (Ausdance).

  • 01 Sep 2009

    Theatre Development Program 2009 - Next deadline Friday 11 September

    In 2009 Merrigong will be offering a limited number of Artist in Residence opportunities for independent artists and groups to have access to space and some technical support for the development of new work – the process of applying is outlined below. If you are a playwright, please also contact us as per the application process outlined below.

     

    The process of applying to the Program has changed:

     

    Stage 1: An informal conversation with Producer and Theatre Development Manager, Anne-Louise Rentell – this enables a discussion about your project and its needs. Anne-Louise’s contact details are at the bottom of this news item;

    Stage 2: Project submission, details of which will be provided to applicants after Stage 1 (it will be an easy submission to complete)

    Stage 3: Consideration by the Merrigong Artistic Team and notification of outcome to the artist.

     

    Applications will be considered by the Merrigong Artistic Team in September. All applicants will be informed of notification dates on submission. If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact Anne-Louise Rentell on 42263699 ext. 110 or arentell@merrigong.com.au to discuss them further.

  • 16 Jul 2009

    See Merrigong's videos on You Tube

    Catch all of Merrigong's cast interviews, audience reviews and TV ads on our You Tube channel. Simply click here and enjoy! And if you'd like to stay up to date with all the news as well as chat directly to other Merrigong patrons, staff and cast members, become a fan of Merrigong's Facebook page.

  • 18 Jun 2009

    Your questions answered by cast members

    As well as bringing great theatre to your doorstep, Merrigong endeavours to open dialogues amongst patrons, staff and cast. You will already be aware of our 'Meet the Artists' nights and our Facebook page. Now you have a chance to send us questions for cast and creative members of upcoming Merrigong shows and we'll get them answered on our website. Send your questions to info@merrigong.com.au and keep your eyes on our site!

  • 02 Jun 2009

    Kahlil Ashanti is in the building!

    We're delighted to welcome Kahlil Ashanti to Merrigong. It's been two years since Artistic Director / CEO Simon Hinton first sat down with Kahlil in Edinburgh to discuss the possibility of bringing his acclaimed hit comedy Basic Training  to Australia for a national tour. This week these discussions and a lot of hard work finally come to fruition as Basic Training opens its 14-venue tour in Wollongong. In 2009, Merrigong commenced its fourth year as a producing company and its second with a show on tour. This is however our first tour on a national scale!

  • 18 May 2009

    The Vault Cabaret - Photos Now on Facebook

    What a night it was! Check out the photos of May's Vault Cabaret's shenanigans on Merrigong's Facebook page.

  • 13 May 2009

    Project X - free preview in Crown St Mall this Thursday!

    Head to the Crown St Mall stage this Thursday 14 May at 7pm to catch the Project X performers doing a very special FREE preview of their show! Dancing, beatboxing, funk, hip hop, acrobatics – these guys will amaze you with their energetic, inspirational and innovative creation of sounds.

  • 08 May 2009

    Mother's Day Gift Vouchers

    Surprise a loved one with a gift voucher to shows at IPAC. By clicking here, you can purchase gift vouchers to the value of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. These can be used to purchase tickets to any show or season package for up to twelve months.

  • 17 Apr 2009

    Metamorphosis Cast / Audience Video

    Metamorphosis opened to rapturous applause on Wednesday 15 April. Click on the following link to see a video of cast  and audience interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGXohETv7I.

  • 30 Mar 2009

    Gordon Theatre re-opening April 1st.

    The Gordon Theatre refurbishment has been three months of challenging, hard work and the result is fantastic! The new look will be unveiled with a small ceremony on Wednesday April 1st at 8pm to guests coming along to see Fiona Scott Norman's The Needle and the Damage Done. Visitors to IPAC can now enjoy new seating and carpets in the Gordon Theatre, fresh paint and carpets in the foyer, improved disabled access, a hearing loop for the hearing impaired and upgrades to the bathrooms and disabled toilets.



      

  • 12 Mar 2009

    Get involved as a marketing volunteer!

    Merrigong Theatre Company runs a marketing volunteer program utilising people from the local community to assist in various duties, such as mailouts, database maintenance, identifying marketing opportunities and writing direct mail. If you have an interest in theatre and enjoy interaction with a variety of people, this is a great opportunity to develop your skills and gain workplace experience at the same time as contributing to an exciting, vibrant company. If you'd like to take part, please contact the Education and Promotions Co-ordinator, Jennifer O'Sullivan on 4226 3699 ext.103 or email josullivan@merrigong.com.au.

  • 26 Feb 2009

    Snugglepot and Cuddlepie at IPAC and Botanic Gardens

    We're very pleased that Wollongong's Botanic Gardens have agreed to run special Snugglepot and Cuddlepie treasure hunts and guided tours during the April school holidays. Now you can watch the show live on stage at IPAC (21 - 22 April) and enjoy adventures amongst the real life flora and fauna up the road! Details will soon be available on the Botanic Gardens website.

  • 26 Feb 2009

    Drew Forsythe joins cast of The 39 Steps

    The Wharf Revue's Drew Forsythe recently joined the cast of The 39 Steps and has since wowed audiences in Melbourne, Frankston and Newcastle. We look forward to having Drew back on stage at IPAC!

  • 08 Jan 2009

    Bruce Gordon Theatre Refurbishment

    The Bruce Gordon Theatre is currently undergoing renovations, requiring the closure of Aromas Cafe until 27th January. The disabled toilet facilities are also undergoing an upgrade and are currently inaccessible. The Box Office is continuing business as normal. If you require the use of affected facilities, Box Office staff will be happy to assist you with accessing alternative arrangements. We apologise for any inconvenience you may experience and look forward to welcoming you to our newly refurbished theatre on 1st April 2009.

     January 13 2009

    January 13 2009