This morning in a special online event, NORPA revealed some of the adventurous, world-class shows that will transport audiences to different worlds in 2022.
The theatre at NORPA will transform into a tennis court with court-side seating for Sunshine Super Girl, the triumphant story of Australian sporting hero, Evonne Goolagong. For The Boy Who Talked to Dogs the theatre becomes an Irish
bar with multiple stages to tell the true story of Nimbin’s famous ‘Dogman’ Martin McKenna, who grew up tough in Garryowen, Limerick, and found his family in a band of stray dogs.
Then for local Sprung! Integrated Theatre’s glorious parade of song and dance French Café the theatre will metamorphize once again into a cabaret café for where nobody speaks the same language and absurd is the order of the day.
NORPA 2022 also welcomes comedy powerhouse The Wharf Revue with their newest satirical gem Can of Worms guaranteed to hook and serve up every political flathead that floats into view. Bell Shakespeare returns with the classic Comedy of Errors full of far-fetched coincidences and chaotic hilarity. Powerful new Australian drama is on offer with King
of Pigs in an unflinching examination of masculinity, abuse, and power. Lovers of physical theatre and contemporary circus will be thrilled that Gravity and Other Myths are bringing their international hit show Backbone to NORPA in 2022 after having to cancel in 2020.
NORPA Artistic Director and CEO Julian Louis says audiences will be taken to unexpected and wonderful places with NORPA in 2022. ‘We’ll dance together in a French café, sing in an Irish bar and cheer court-side at Wimbeldon. Let’s celebrate the power of live performance together!’
‘The announcement of this first round of shows is Act 1 of what is happening at NORPA in 2022. Act 2 comes early next year when we announce NORPA’s theatre-making program including First Nations works with Rhoda Roberts, our NORPA Youth program and new, ambitious NORPA works in creation.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming next year:
Can of Worms – The Wharf Revue
All hands on deck for a daring adventure as The Wharf Revue navigate the dire Straits of COVID, sail round the treacherous Horn of Scomo, steer well clear of the empty Cape of Pauline, only to be becalmed in the Nationals Bermuda Jacket Triangle before stumbling across a New World, filled with hope and promise! Or not. Join the regular crew of creatives Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phil Scott – along with their figurehead of talent Mandy Bishop – as they bravely voyage to the bottom of the barrel.
25 and 26 Feb, 2022
King of Pigs – Red Line Productions & Critical Stages Touring
This exceptional production featuring music by iOTA, takes audiences on a powerful journey through the lives of multiple women in both familiar and terrifying situations. Directed by Blazey Best, King of Pigs reveals the nature of power, the way men abuse it, and the lives of the women who live through the lies.
11 & 12 March, 2022
French Café – Sprung! Integrated Dance Theatre
Be immersed in the parade of life: a celebration of human foibles in a café where nobody speaks the same language and absurd is the order of the day. A glorious parade of song and dance. Michael Hennessy, Artistic Director of Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre, joins forces with dramaturg/co-director Kate McDowell to create a quirky production, in which nine emerging professional performers with disability and three wannabe big time cabaret artists vie for audience attention and gradually reveal the rich complexities of their characters and relationships.
25 & 26 March, 2022
The Boy Who Talked to Dogs – Slingsby and State Theatre Company South Australia
The Boy Who Talked to Dogs is a mischievous and magical work for all ages made in partnership with Adelaide’s acclaimed Slingsby. Based on the true story of Nimbin’s famous ‘Dogman, Martin McKenna who grew up in Garryowen, Limerick, this tough but tender tale is a celebration of the love of animals we share our homes and lives with, starring acclaimed Dublin actor Bryan Burroughs amidst a dazzling array of shadows, songs and stellar musicianship.
25 – 28 August, 2022
Comedy of Errors – Bell Shakespeare
Shipwrecked and separated 33 years earlier, two sets of long-lost twins miraculously find themselves in the same city on the same day. What could possibly go wrong? The Comedy of Errors is Shakespeare’s hilarious romp of swapped identities, misguided love, mistaken imprisonment and chaotic mishaps. Directed by longtime Bell Shakespeare collaborator Janine Watson, this is a beautiful story about reunion, wrapped up in an evening of entertainment and laughter.
20 & 21 September, 2022
Sunshine Supergirl – Performing Lines
Evonne Goolagong’s heartwarming story is a celebration of spirit and passion over adversity, and a tribute to a woman whose sporting prowess continues to inspire a nation. This is a quintessentially Blak Australian story about a girl from the bush who dared to dream, and with the support of an outback farming town became the number one tennis player in the world.
19 – 22 October, 2022
Backbone –Gravity and Other Myths
A high-octane spree of physical virtuosity, Backbone tests the limits of strength: physical, emotional, individual and collective. Sexy but sincere, raw yet utterly disciplined, Backbone is proof you can’t do the impossible without a little sweat.
4 & 5 November, 2022.
This is a NORPA season you REALLY need to get to. For more information and tickets, visit: www.norpa.org.au.
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