A Season Launch, The Kings Of Christmas and an Irish dance and Grand Illusion sensation... the Geelong Arts Centre are finishing 2022 on a high.
2022 is almost done, but there are still a couple of brilliant shows to get to before the year is out. If you’re already in 2023 mode though, the Geelong Arts Centre has you covered with a plethora of entertainment once again adorning our favourite regional theatre in the new year, especially with its 2023 season launch.
Strap in, here’s all the best things happening at the Geelong Arts Centre this week, this month and beyond.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Geelong Arts Centre Presents 2023: Bringing the best of the best to Geelong
Capping off an absolutely glistening year for the Geelong Arts Centre, the beloved art institution has announced its 2023 season, bringing the best of the best to Geelong across four outstanding programs with Geelong Arts Centre Presents 2023.
Proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner Deakin University and Innovation Partner Costa Asset Management, the 2023 season features 19 terrifically diverse shows, presenting a magnificent suite of performances in 2023 that break boundaries, start conversations and celebrate innovation.
Fit for Victoria’s fastest-growing city, the ‘Our Season 2023’ features high-calibre works from a multitude of the nation’s most highly regarded companies, including Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Griffin Theatre Company and many more.
We’ve compiled a feature giving you a snapshot of what’s to come in 2023. Check it out and start planning your experiences now.
Celtic Illusion Reimagined
When: Friday, December 9 at 7:30pm.
Where: Costa Hall
A breathtaking array of experiences, fusing Irish Dance, Magic and influential flavours of Fosse with a Broadway style: Celtic Illusion is a show like no other.
Immerse yourself in one of the most unique productions touring the world. Celtic Illusion, the Irish dance and Grand Illusion sensation that has taken Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and the USA by storm and will celebrate its 10 year anniversary with a nationwide tour of Australia in 2022.
Even fans who have seen our previous shows won’t dare miss the Reimagined tour that is set to raise the bar once again. This exhilarating production has broken barriers by fusing unparalleled art forms and is more spectacular than ever before.
The Reimagined tour features new spellbinding illusions and choreography, alongside a musical score that will either make you cry or send shivers down your spine.
Starring the multi talented former lead dancer of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and Star Illusionist Anthony Street, with Georgia May, a marvel in both dance and Illusion. These impeccable performers lead a cast of champion dancers recruited from renowned productions across the world, such as Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, into a theatrical masterpiece that will have you mesmerised from the moment the curtain is raised.
Celtic Illusion Reimagined will surpass your expectations and leave you wanting more.
Tickets here.
The Kings Of Christmas
When: Sunday, December 18 at 3pm
Where: Costa Hall
‘Tis the week before Christmas, and all through Geelong, The Kings Of Christmas will bring cheer, charm and song!
For the very first time, Rob Mills and Bobby Fox, two of Australia’s leading men bringing their cheer, charm, cheek and Christmas classics, in the world premier of their brand new show – The Kings of Christmas!
Rob Mills and Bobby Fox have been performing in the best musicals across Australia for the past decade. But they’re at their absolute best when they are together, stealing the show on Channel 9’s, Carols By Candlelight. And now for the first time ever, they’re bringing their Christmas cheer to Costa Hall for one night only, singing and swinging your favourite Christmas Classics.
Joining them onstage, sprinkling some Christmas magic, will be their “little BIG Band” and the Rockin’ Rob and Bobettes.
Tickets to Christmas here.
Us And All Of This – Info Session
When: Saturday, December 10 at 2pm
Where: Online
The Betty Amsden Participation Program returns after a three-year hiatus for its eighth instalment, Us And All Of This.
In an epic, once-in-a-lifetime event, 300 local participants will join award-winning choreographer and creator Liesel Zink at one of three venues across Victoria to create a large-scale, meditative and sculptural public dance work.
Arts Centre Melbourne, Geelong Arts Centre and Bunjil Place will each engage 100 people varying in age, ethnicity, gender and body type who love to move and are keen to be involved in a new dance performance.
Renowned sound artist and composer Lawrence English will create the soundscape for this performance allowing the movers to explore togetherness and community.
Performances will take place in Melbourne, Geelong and Narre Warren over March and April 2023. People are encouraged to attend one of the three locations to witness the 100 participants weave throughout the space.
Find out more here.
Operation Ouch Live
When: Monday, January 9 at 1pm and 4pm
Where: Costa Hall
TV’s favourite doctors return to Australia this January with a brand-new show! Following three sell-out Australian tours, and two smash hit seasons in London’s West End, Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back!
Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken live in London with their families. They are qualified doctors, trained at Oxford University. Dr Chris is a practising infectious disease doctor, based at University College London Hospital and Dr Xand is an Associate Professor at University College London’s Health of the Public.
As well as Operation Ouch!, Xand is one of the regular doctors on BBC’s Morning Live and they have both presented many other documentaries on health and medicine including What Are We Feeding Our Kids?, The Secrets of Human Body, Frontline Doctors: Winter Migrant Crisis, Horizon, Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?, Blow Your Mind, Horizon, Sugar V Fat, The Secret Life Of Twins, and Medicine Men Go Wild. in 2021 they released a podcast called A Thorough Examination; Addicted to Food which is now on BBC Radio. Dr Chris has an upcoming book about the food industry and the global obesity crisis.
This brilliant show will be packed with all-new crazy experiments, mind blowing illusions and amazing facts, as the doctors explore the fascinating world of biology and show you the incredible things your body can do. It’ll make you laugh and gross you out!
Tickets here.
Wish Upon A Song: Volume II
When: Thursday, January 26 at 7:30pm, Friday, January 27 at 7:30pm, and Saturday January 28 at 1pm and 5:30pm.
Where: Costa Hall
Wish Upon A Song – Volume II showcases the Magical Music of Disney while bringing together many of Geelong’s most talented musicians and performers.
Featuring songs from over a dozen Disney films including The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, and Frozen II.
Tickets here.
Fate & Destiny – Geelong Symphony Orchestra
When: Saturday, February 25 at 5pm
Where: Costa Hall
From the rugged isle of Staffa off the coast of Scotland to the deceiving charm of Vienna to the darkness of Russia – each work in our first concert has a connection to “fate and destiny” … join us to discover the connections.
The mysteries of Fingal’s Cave, the inner angst of Beethoven’s penultimate piano concerto, and Tchaikovsky’s musical declaration that “fate will always prevent one from achieving true happiness”. Pianist Hoang Pham returns and the GSO will shine under the baton of Richard Davis.
Find out more here.
The Naked Magicians
When: Saturday, March 4 at 7:30pm
Where: Costa Hall
Australia’s own The Naked Magicians are returning from their Las Vegas residency at MGM Grand to bring their international smash hit to Geelong for one night only!
Seen on London’s West End, New York, Las Vegas and 300+ cities around the world – this is truly the naughtiest and funniest magic show on the planet!
Starring Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, two of Australia’s most famous magicians, the duo will forego top hats and capes for full frontal illusions complete with magic, muscles and endless laughs. Perfect for date night or the ultimate Girls Night Out, The Naked Magicians have performed — and undressed — for millions of fans around the world.
Playing at Costa Hall, on Saturday 4 March, find out why “Good magicians don’t need sleeves and great magicians don’t need pants!”
Contains nudity, sexual references, and adult themes. Strictly 18+… get ready to have some fun!
Creative Learning 2023
Calling all teachers! Creative Learning 2023 has launched with experiences that will spark a love for the creative industries and open you and your students up to a world of opportunity.
Giving students from Kindergarten and Prep right through to Year 12 access to enriching, educational arts programs, these applied learning experiences aim to stimulate the imagination, foster creativity, and transform how students see themselves and the world around them.
Offering a diverse suite of programs ranging from music to movement, puppetry and theatre, the 2023 program offers teachers a unique and creative way to explore key themes and ideas embedded within the Victorian curriculum, ranging from sustainability to First Nations and immigration.
Find out more here.
Geelong Arts Centre is supported by The Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner Deakin University and Innovation Partner Costa Asset Management.
