It's not all Christmas Carols - this month comedy, illusions and classic reimaginings take to the stage across Victoria.
We know the festive season starts to fill up the calendar with Christmas parties and Carols and of course the dreaded shopping taking over free time. But if you need a change of pace from the festive fun, settling into a stage show is a great way to get together with friends for some entertainment and downtime.
Good thing regional Victoria’s arts and theatre events calendar is still jam-packed with shows and spectaculars.
Here are the best theatre performances taking to the stage across regional Victoria this month.
The War on 2024 Comedy Gala
So, how about 2024? Where did it go wrong, and where did it go right? Locally, Barnaby Joyce discovered phone reception was better on his back, while Peter piped up and publicised his preference of private planes. Taylor Swift brought all Australians closer together, while a major IT network outage caused cash users to annoyingly declare cash is king. Join Charles Firth, James Schloeffel, Mark Humphries and Veronica Milsom as they dissect the year that was.
The War on 2024 Comedy Gala will be hosted by The Story House, GAC on December 12
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12 by 12
A dozen original plays from playwrights and performers across the Bellarine, each up to twelve minutes in length, is the short and sweet of 12 by 12. Presented by Theatre 3triple2, this is the 16th outing for the production. Some plays will take a walk on the darker side of life, while others exist to deliver giggles and guffaws. The audience, along with the judging panel, then gets to vote for their favourite.
12 by 12 will be hosted by the Potato Shed, Drysdale on December 12 & 14
Robin Hood: A Pantomime
The first literary reference of Robin Hood, the folk hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, dates back to 1377. While the first screen appearance took place in 1908, Errol Flynn’s 1938 vehicle The Adventures of Robin Hood is widely considered the greatest film to feature the folk hero. Here, in a production written by Vern Wall, the Bendigo Theatre Company will have you cheering for the hero and booing the ignoble Sheriff of Nottingham.
Robin Hood will be hosted by BTC Arts Shed, Golden Square from January 9-19
Monty Python’s Spamalot
During its initial near-1600 show run, the Tony-winning Spamalot, or Monty Python’s Spamalot: A Musical (Lovingly) Ripped Off from the Motion Picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, was seen by more than two-million people. Tim Curry would star as King Arthur. This time around it is the Holiday Actors taking on the big task as part of their 40th year. So come follow King Arthur and his gang in this hammy quest into a “dark and very expensive forest”.
Spamalot will be hosted by Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool from January 4-11
Cosentino: Decennium
If bands can do greatest hits tours, why not magicians? Decennium is ‘The Grand Illusionist’ Cosentino’s new 90-minute show featuring all the best bits. All killer, no filler you could say. More than a decade ago, Cosentino came in runner-up on Australia’s Got Talent. He would go one better when he won Dancing with the Stars in 2013 with partner Jessica Raffa. As well as death-defying escapes, illusions and street magic, his show features dancing and audience participation.
Cosentino: Decennium will be hosted by Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat on January 14
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Max Pry, Private Eye
Bendigo-based Uncertain Curtain Theatre is a collective that encourages neurodivergent youth to express themselves through the performing arts. Their latest production is Max Pry, Private Eye, a one-act play written and directed by SJ Fawcett. We’re in 1940s Chicago and Max dreams of making the big leagues. The only problem is he is a terrible detective. When his boss gives him an ultimatum, he must team up with some shady sorts to make the big bust.
Max Pry, Private Eye will be hosted by The Engine Room, Bendigo on December 14 & 15
Billy Elliot
On a modest budget of $5-million, the coming-of-age film Billy Elliot would earn more than $100-million worldwide. The heart-warming story, in which a coal miner’s eleven-year-old son trades in his boxing gloves after discovering a passion for ballet, would see a spike in dance class enrolments among boys. The same thing would occur when the award-winning stage adaptation followed. Now Footlight Productions is bringing the story of resilience and self-discovery to Geelong for the first time.
Billy Elliot will be hosted by The Play House, GAC from January 17 through February 2
Operation Ouch Live
In the almost words of Einstein: “It is the supreme fart of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Following four sell-out Australian tours and two smash hit seasons in London’s West End, Oxford-trained doctors Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken are back with the dino-mite adventure ‘Quest for the Jurassic Fart’. Join them in sniffing out the most important fart in history – and it didn’t come from your uncle Dave.
Operation Ouch Live will be hosted by Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on January 11 & Civic Hall, Ballarat on January 12
What a way to end 2024 and welcome in 2025. Jump into the region’s theatre scene now!
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
