AustLit

'Away by Michael Gow has a prolific production lineage. Since its first staging by Griffin Theatre Company in 1986, the play has become a staple of professional, school and amateur seasons. It propels Gow into the microscopic family of Australian playwrights who have written an “Australian classic”, but it is also quite unlike any other play that shares that title.' (Introduction)

'The Government has given us eternal youth, and we should be eternally grateful.

'In the not too distant future, coming-of-age is a little different. Thanks to a fantastic scientific discovery, wisdom no longer comes with age. Wisdom now comes with a strict pharmaceutical regimen, and it’s all government mandated.

'But an idyllic, strictly regulated existence free of the shackles of aging isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When side effects start to spread and citizens become aware of the lengths the state will go to maintain order, the only answer is revolution.' (Production summary)

'On the first day of year 10, Shaun sees a dead body.

'When Shaun finds a body floating in the lake of a quiet mining town in outback Queensland, he immediately reports it to the police. But when he returns to the site with the constable, the body is gone.

'Determined to reveal the truth, Shaun and his best friend, Will, open their own investigation. But what they discover is far more sinister than they expected, and reveals a darkness below the surface of their small town.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When do you reach that point? When you turn 18? When you move out of home? When you get married? When you have a baby? When you lose your virginity? When you embrace your identity? When you love yourself before someone else? When you travel the world on your own? When your career takes off? When you stop talking to your imaginary friend?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Gripping and inspirational drama, St Mary’s in Exile is the story of a tight-knit community, a poignant reminder that the word “church” refers not to the 123-year-old heritage listed Renaissance building, but the bond between the disparate people who gather there. A bond that endured when Peter handed over the keys amid a media frenzy, and led his flock down the street to the Trades and Labor Council building, where they still worship every weekend. ' (Source: Queensland Theatre Company website)

'A funny, sad and serious memoir, How to Be Happy is David Burton’s story of his turbulent life at high school and beyond. Feeling out of place and convinced that he is not normal, David has a rocky start. He longs to have a girlfriend, but his first ‘date’ is a disaster. There’s the catastrophe of the school swimming carnival—David is not sporty—and friendships that take devastating turns. Then he finds some solace in drama classes with the creation of ‘Crazy Dave’, and he builds a life where everything is fine. But everything is not fine.

'And, at the centre of it all, trying desperately to work it all out, is the real David.

'How to Be Happy tackles depression, friendship, sexual identity, suicide, academic pressure, love and adolescent confusion. It’s a brave and honest account of one young man’s search for a happy, true and meaningful life that will resonate with readers young and old.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Victor and Mary are voices from the past, lingering like ghosts within the walls of Old Government House. They need help to bring their stories to light and right the wrongs of history, and there is only one person who can help them.

'You.

'So keep calm, listen carefully, and do exactly as they say.

'The Voice in the Walls is a new audio immersive and interactive performance for 9-12 year olds by Imaginary Theatre. Set amongst the historic halls of Old Government House, the audience will be equipped with headphones and a wireless device while they traverse the halls of the House in an audio tour like none other.'

Source: QUT Precincts.

'Orbit is a science fiction adventure about 20 young people, of which two will be chosen to carry on humanity’s bright future on planet Mars. The teenagers must compete in a series of grueling tests, deciding their best strategies for survival. Will they form an alliance or go it alone? Admit their weaknesses or cover them up at all costs? ' (Synopsis)

'There’s a bomb in the school. The bomb is going to explode. Do you know who did it?

The Land Mine is Me is a comic and contemporary take on the life of an adolescent. The school has been evacuated and we meet the misfits, the perfectionists, the drama queens and the socially awkward. More than an angst riddled exploration of “teenage issues”, The Land Mine is Me asks the audience to consider, how far do you have to push before someone explodes?' (Synopsis)

'In a music studio in surburban Brisbane four men gather in an attempt to build upon a surprisingly successful first album. Newly clean, front man Gareth is losing his cool. Lead guitarist Chimney has got cold feet. Bass player Michael is keeping secrets and Sumo, the drummer, has vanished. Meet Hedonism.

'Hedonism have rocketed from pub gigs to support acts, international tours and brand management. It's a whole new world. They've been given a license to drink, be rockstars and live, well, hedonistically. They've been give permission to never grow up, as long as they record their second album.

'After an all-weekend bender involving under-age girls, bikies, racial slurs on YouTube and a wombat from Australia Zoo, record label exec Phil is sent in to pull the boys into line and prevent the looming PR disaster. During the testosterone-fueled fallout, closely-guarded secrets are laid bare and friendships tested.' (Synopsis)

'Meet Olivia, an ambitious and adventurous ten-year-old. From a divorced family, Olivia is (at the moment) staying with her mum, but doesn't at all mind having two homes. She likes nothing better than playing her Nintendo Wii, but her mother has other ideas. Olivia is sent outside to play but with a stern warning, not to go over the back fence and to wear her shoes. The backyard is boring but the sounds of a didgeridoo call her towards the back fence and with a hop, skip and jump, Olivia's sense of adventure leads her up and over and into the Darling Downs bushland.

She sets out on a wonderful, exciting and sometimes scary journey, meeting a host of interesting characters. Margaret the magpie at first swoops her violently, but insists it is simply to protect her children and they fast become friends, but soon after, a nasty group of villains arrive and steal Olivia's voice. Mute and afraid, she runs into our Storyteller, who tells Olivia she must go to the special meeting place to find her voice. Along the way she encounters a family of ants, an excitable group of people in bare feet who communicate through rhythm and some mighty trees. When she finally arrives at the meeting place, the entire bushland is gathered along with a giant, gentle rainbow serpent who all help Olivia fight for the right to her voice.

The play is based on the Aboriginal stone arrangement site of Gummingurru, hidden away in Toowoomba's own backyard, and filled with a rich five thousand year old history.' Source:www.usq.edu.au/ (Sighted 05/10/2009).