LATEST NEWS!
ANNOUNCING OUR 2020 SEASON!
THE KING AND I
BRYAN BROWN THEATRE - MAY 15-24
The King and I contains some of Rodgers and Hammerstien's most spellbinding marriages of melody and sentiment, including "Hello, Young Lovers", "We Kiss in the Shadow”, "I Have Dreamed", "Getting to Know You", "I Whistle a Happy Tune" and "Shall We Dance?" Oscar Hammerstein's musical dramatisation of Margaret Landon's Anna and the King of Siam chronicles the experiences of a widowed Welsh English teacher who moves to Siam to the court of the King to be a tutor to some of his 77 (and counting) children from his multiple wives.
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
BANKSTOWN ARTS CENTRE - AUGUST 14-23
Happiness versus money; the life we'd like to live versus the life we have to live. It's an old problem, and one that faces all of us except the very rich, but not one that seems to exercise Martin Vanderhof in George Kaufman and Moss Hart's 1936 Broadway comedy, which became one of Frank Capra's most famous films. Vanderhof has long since given up work in pursuit of happiness – which mostly involves, it seems, visiting the zoo and keeping pet snakes on the hat rack.
His daughter Penelope has followed his lead, concentrating on her hobbies. Son-in-law Paul devotes all his time to making fireworks in the attic, and grown-up granddaughter Essie has been studying ballet for eight years with no discernible improvement. Only young Alice, Vanderhof's granddaughter, is different. She goes out to work. Which is probably just as well, as the family has no other visible means of support. She's got a job on Wall Street, where she has caught the eye of the boss's son, Tony Kirby. When the Kirbys turn up to dinner on the wrong night, the culture clash between the let-it-all-hang-out Vanderhofs and the uptight Kirbys causes sparks to fly in more ways than one.
His daughter Penelope has followed his lead, concentrating on her hobbies. Son-in-law Paul devotes all his time to making fireworks in the attic, and grown-up granddaughter Essie has been studying ballet for eight years with no discernible improvement. Only young Alice, Vanderhof's granddaughter, is different. She goes out to work. Which is probably just as well, as the family has no other visible means of support. She's got a job on Wall Street, where she has caught the eye of the boss's son, Tony Kirby. When the Kirbys turn up to dinner on the wrong night, the culture clash between the let-it-all-hang-out Vanderhofs and the uptight Kirbys causes sparks to fly in more ways than one.
IN THE HEIGHTS
BRYAN BROWN THEATRE - NOVEMBER 6-15
IN THE HEIGHTS tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.
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Bankstown Theatre Company’s production of the musical OUR HOUSE is an entertaining, fun night at the theatre that has strong family values at its core. OUR HOUSE. features songs from British band Madness, who were prominent in the late 1970s and 80s, and through this the writer, Tim Firth explores love, family, growing up, responsibility and loss.
To read full review, click here Winners of OUR HOUSE raffle 1st prize - M Adderley #10629 2nd prize - L Beach #10494 3rd prize - L McKenna #10604 Congratulations & thanks to everyone for your support! |
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With eyes open you may see Eade but close them and you’ll hear Julie Andrews. Eade’s stage presence charms throughout the three-hour production.A Judges and People’s Choice winner at this year’s Short and Sweet festival, Sahlani plays his emotions on his sleeve as father, patriot and love-interest while his voice is a nice complement to Eade’s.
To read more of this review click here Congratulations to the winners in our fundraising raffle on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW & thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to support this worthwhile charity. Special thanks to our Front of House staff & ticket sellers from The Sound of Music!
1st prize 15393 H Tuton 2nd prize 15027 R Kalimtzis 3rd prize 15087 J Hassarati STAGE WHISPERS REVIEW
Meg Day’s direction and set design, Clare Moroney’s musical direction, Lauren Nalty’s choreography, Rod Bertram’s evocative lighting and sound, the orchestra’s playing, and John Plaege’s props all combine to make an effective and professional-looking production. Add to that a cast in which there is not one weak link and you can get ready for the heartstrings to be pulled. To read more of this review click here |
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THE RAFFLE WINNERS 1st - 65202 - D Cascarino 2nd - 65066 - J Corkery 3rd - 65257 - R Garrett Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who supported this amazing show! |
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RAFFLE WINNERS
Winners of the BTC Spamalot Raffle 1st prize 27308 A Harper 2nd prize 27172 T Boyle 3rd prize 27035 B Hodder Congratulations to our winners & thanks to everyone who supported our charity fund-raising efforts to help out 9-year old Jai Bruynius-Greene & his family. |
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STAGE WHISPERS REVIEW
What can one say about Spamalot, except that it is totally ridiculous, as one would expect from a Monty Python idea. This musical, “lovingly ripped off” from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, does great justice to the craziness of the genre, and this production by Bankstown Theatre Company lovingly embraces the whole idea. To read more of this review click here: |
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OLIVER RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS
1ST PRIZE - A. Pantel Ticket No: 16293 2ND PRIZE - S. Tytherleigh Ticket No: 16201 3RD PRIZE - A. Whittaker Ticket No: 16211 |
HUMAN NATURE ANNOUNCED AS OUR PATRONS!
One of the world’s greatest pop vocal groups and a true international success story, Human Nature, have agreed to be our Patrons, almost 30 years after beginning their performing careers in musicals with us!
Friends from an early age, Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney performed together in our 1995 production of West Side Story. Years earlier, Mike also performed the titular role in Oliver, (pictured right with Sharon Babcock, nee Dermody) which we are presenting again at The Bryan Brown Theatre this July, 25 years later!
Mike said, “community theatre is a fantastic way young people can gain a great sense of teamwork, make new friendships, help build self confidence, and learn new skills. It’s a great introduction into the world of performing arts in a fun, welcoming environment. I learnt a lot from my time performing at Bankstown Theatre Company and really found my love for the stage,”
Toby goes on to say, “community theatre is such a wonderful place to promote confidence in young people, getting the opportunity to work along side others that share a love for the performing arts. It also shows them that when people from all walks of life come together in the community, they can work together to create wondrous pieces of entertainment."
Edward Rooke, President of Bankstown Theatre Company, said, “we are delighted and honoured to have Human Nature bring their talent and influence to our company. Their sense of community and humble approach to their career has been nothing short of inspiring. These are four men that have never forgotten their roots and who have always generously nurtured talent during their busy career.”
Human Nature currently reside in Las Vegas where they perform their headlining hit 'Jukebox' show, 5 nights a week at The Venetian. They also recently undertook a national Australian tour in February as part of their ‘Ultimate Jukebox Tour’ following the success of their #1 album, ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ Jukebox Vol II'.
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THE SECRET GARDEN RAFFLE WINNERS
1st Prize B Plaege Ticket 15018 2nd Prize R Henderson Ticket 15175 3rd Prize I Berthon Ticket 15296 |
CHESS RAFFLE WINNERS
1st prize S Schacht 12120
2nd prize B Saville 12189
3rd prize A Gillies 12334
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ANNIE RAFFLE WINNERS
1st prize - W Lindsay 40409 2nd prize - A Kanaan 40492 3rd prize - S Zrno 40561 |
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ANNIE IS A HUGE HIT!A spectacularly successful opening weekend saw our audiences raving about ANNIE!!
"We just LOVED it!", "Congratulations on a brilliant production BTC!". "Mum, the kids & I had the BEST time!" Only 4 shows to go, you don't want to miss this one! Head over to our home page to book! |
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PLAY ON RAFFLE WINNERS
Raffle Drawn 8th August 2015 1st Prize : Joanne Caruso 2nd Prize : Dale Selsby 3rd Prize: Simon Fry GREASE RAFFLE WINNERS Raffle drawn 29 March 2015 1st prize Murphy ticket 27581 2nd prize Seaton ticket 27514 3rd prize Butcher ticket 27152 |
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SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE REVIEW OF NUNSENSE
Looks like critic Paul Nolan loved it as much as our audiences did! Check out the review here |
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NUNSENSE RAFFLE WINNERS
Raffle Drawn 2 Nov 14 1st prize K Hilder 12505 2nd prize V Dimech 12198 3rd prize N Freeman 12417 |
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THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD A MASSIVE HIT WITH OUR AUDIENCES!
Our recent production of the Broadway smash it "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" was a huge hit with both audiences and critics alike. Superbly directed by the legendary Christopher Hamilton with musical direction by the equally legendary Jayne Hamilton and a star-studded cast, "Drood" once again showcased our ability to provide the highest quality musical theatre productions to our audiences. |
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SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE REVIEW of DROOD
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is a show-within-a-show unfolding among the company of “London’s Music Hall Royale” in 1895. This musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical and Bankstown Theatre Company’s production makes for a highly entertaining evening. The very talented cast, director and production crew ensures the audience is part of the action and enjoys this music hall melodrama. The musical is loosely based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Charles Dickens who, as “The Chairman”....... read the rest of Maggie Franklin's review here |
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THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD REVIEW - STAGE WHISPERS
Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel gets a different ending each night in this rollicking music hall style entertainment, a Tony Award winning show-within-a-show musical.Because Dickens didn’t complete his novel, each audience gets to vote for the evening’s murderer, detective, and pairing of lovers. It’s a delightful twist on the musical theatre form. Despite its Tony Award pedigree, including the Best Musical, Score and Book trifecta, Bankstown Theatre Company’s production of Drood is an all-too-rare opportunity to see this charming small cast show in Sydney. I only recall one previous community theatre production, many years ago.... read the rest of Neil Litchfield's review of DROOD here |
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INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER HAMILTON
STAGE WHISPERS caught up with 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' director Chris Hamilton about the challenges of bringing a "musical whodunnit" to the stage. STAGE WHISPERS INTERVIEW |
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FROM BROADWAY TO BTC
BTC were thrilled to snare Courtney Glass to play the title role of Edwin Drood. Courtney has recently relocated to Sydney after performing on Broadway whilst living in New York. “I was super lucky to make my Broadway debut understudying the title role in The Woman in White directed by Trevor Nunn. In the states, I mostly earned my living as an ingénue (most recently as Clara in Passion, Sarah in Guys and Dolls, Belle in Scrooge, and as a handful of Disney princesses aboard Disney Cruise Line). Read the full article on Courtney here |
