Featuring 11 crucial stories you can't afford to miss, the 'Our Season 2022' showcases the voices of those who have overcome hardship, broken down barriers and fought for their place upon the world stage.
After two incredibly topsy turvy years for the arts and entertainment industry, the Geelong Arts Centre is presenting a 2022 season like no other, welcoming live audiences back to Costa Hall, Ryrie Street Building, Geelong Arena, Geelong West Town Hall and beyond to rediscover the power of storytelling and witness a fabulous and diverse array of performances.
Marking the return of extraordinary arts experiences, the esteemed arts centre has announced ‘Our Season 2022’ featuring 11 crucial stories you can’t afford to miss, showcasing the voices of those who have overcome hardship, broken down barriers and fought for their place upon the world stage.
From celebrating the experiences of strong and diverse women and highlighting the unique perspectives of First Nations Peoples, to shining a spotlight on those who strive to embrace their identities in the face of fear and adversity, there will be something for everyone to enjoy in 2022 with seven incredible core shows and four special addition performances that demand to be seen.
Keep up with the latest in regional art and local events via our website.
Kicking off the season in March is Black Cockatoo, a new artistic collaboration between iconic Australian writer Geoffrey Atherden (Mother and Son, Babakiueria) and former Sydney Festival Artistic Director Wesley Enoch (Black Diggers). Inspired by the true story of legendary First Nations cricketer Johnny Mullagh and Australia’s first-ever international sporting team, this is not just about cricket. Instead, this is a story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility that follows a group of young present-day activists who sneak into the Wimmera Discovery Centre to expose the truth of what happened to Johnny and his teammates as a hidden legend of triumph and tragedy unfolds.
Taking to the centre in May is an award-winning romantic comedy featuring two vibrant, lovable characters at its heart with Become The One – a production exploring why a footballer would choose to remain closeted, and why their openly gay partner would choose to accept it. Winner of the 2018 Playtime Award for New Writing, this funny, smart and challenging drama explores the true meaning of bravery and what it might take to do the right thing – as a lover, as a high-profile sportsman, as a human being – to become the one.
Also in May audiences will be privvy to On By Circa, a circus at its contemporary best – as thrilling as it is moving. From Circa Contemporary Circus, one of the world’s leading performance companies, the stage elements here are reduced to their most essential with just seven extraordinary acrobats, a score by Melbourne composer Jethro Woodward and a striking lighting design.
Further performances include The Boy Who Talked To Dogs, a mischievous and magical work for all ages from Adelaide’s acclaimed Slingsby; Grace, Katy Warner’s sharp new investigation of motherhood, fairy tales, and the notion of ‘selfish women’; and Sunshine Super Girl, a quintessentially Australian story about a girl (Evonne Goolagong) from the bush who dared to dream, and with the support of an outback farming town, rose to become the No. 1 tennis player in the world and a household name by the age of 19.
Rounding out the core season in November is The Rivoli, a celebration of social life before social media, when to meet was to talk, laugh and move to music together and features some of Australia’s best dancers and a stellar live band. It is Dance Makers Collective’s most ambitious work yet and an incredible ode to a bygone dance era.
“We are overjoyed to safely welcome arts-lovers back to the home of Where Creativity Meets and to invite our passionate community to connect and journey with us and one another through story,” says Geelong Arts Centre Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director, Joel McGuinness.
“Across all artforms, Geelong Arts Centre knows it is imperative for us to amplify the voices of those who have overcome adversity, and we have no doubt that these stories will not only entertain; they will inspire”.
While the core season is second to none, that’s not all to get excited about for 2022. Ranging from zany theatre to powerhouse ballads, and the world premiere of a profound one-man show, the Geelong Art Centre’s four phenomenal Special Addition performances are also essential experiences.
First, there’s Don Juan. Directed by the award-winning Leo Gene Peters and an audacious cast of New Zealand performers, this performance brings together brilliant physical comedy, twisted pop songs and explosive wit to create a hilarious and irreverent show.
One for the music lovers out there, Unsung will take to Costa Hall in May with award-winning cabaret powerhouses Amelia Ryan and Libby O’Donovan, in a rollicking, raucous celebration of songs and stories from 1960s Australia. Hear the likes of Lynne Randell, Little Patti, Judy Stone, Marcie Jones, Margret Roadknight, Wendy Saddington, and Alison McCallum, in an uplifting and nostalgic hour that pays homage to the women who blazed the trails for generations to come.
From the esteemed talents of Kit Brookman and André Jewson, Mountain is the story of a man in pieces. Taking to the stage in June for a World Premiere, Mountain is a hymn to the transformative power of grief, to the wonder of the unknown.
September will then feature BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, a beguiling night of melancholic songs, poetic storytelling and haunting vocals. Here, Australian cabaret chanteuse and musical theatre star, Queenie van de Zandt, renowned for her artful storytelling and raw, emotive vocals, brings the songs, stories and art of the musical legend that is Joni Mitchell. Queenie, along with her live band, explores her love of all things Joni, taking audiences on a sonic journey through Joni’s life, loses and loves, affectionately reinterpreting her melancholy music, and intimately revealing the stories behind some of her most haunting songs such as A Case of You, Both Sides Now and Little Green.
Having just unveiled stunning new plans that will see the venue transform into a must-visit cultural and dining precinct, all thanks to a $140m redevelopment, due to be completed by 2023, the Geelong Arts Centre continues to bring outstanding performances directly to the community. With grand plans ahead, the 2022 program is set to reinvigorate arts and live entertainment in Geelong sooner rather than later, bringing us exceptional stories, and activating fantastic local venues across our creative city.
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You can explore all the events of Our Season: 2022 and purchase your tickets here.
