AustLit

'n the small Australian town of McGuffin Park, the local council is thrown into disarray when the mayor suddenly resigns a week before the mid-term election, despite being a shoo-in to keep his seat.

'When a self-proclaimed ‘sovereign citizen’ with an anti-government agenda is revealed as next in line for the top job, two friends step up and announce their rival candidacies. Complicated pasts, a meddling journalist and blackmail rumours push friendships to the limit – can they handle the mess of politics? Or will their friendship crumble under the pressure? Buckle up for a bumpy election ride!'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Inspired by historical events, a royal scandal ignites a blistering fire between the steely Queen Mother and her children’s doting nanny in Melanie Tait’s sparkling new comedy drama.

'Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford adored her job as governess to Princesses Lilibet and Margaret Rose… until she was ostracised without warning, despite dedicating the best part of her life to raising, educating and caring for the young royals. The reason? A tell-all memoir.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Golden sands, turquoise waters and a lush green golf course — Penny Poulter leads an almost idyllic life in one of Australia’s best kept secrets, Wallis Heads.

'But when this hidden coastal gem is discovered by the ruthless and immensely wealthy Alex Whittle, ambitious plans to put the town firmly on the tourist map spark a bitter rivalry. Can this human bulldozer with money to burn ever be stopped?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'It is the opening night of director-writer Shane Tweed’s new murder mystery, MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL.

'Seven of the amateur theatre company’s cast are down with the dreaded lurgy. So the Middling Cove Players’ director and two of the remaining actors, and whoever else Shane can co-opt, pitch in to continue the long tradition of ‘the show must go on.’ Juggling nerves, props, and absurd miscasting, will they manage to pull it off? Or will everything go horribly, terribly and awfully wrong?'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Memories of 1984. London. Phil Collins on MTV. Cassette tapes.

'Janet is 23 and to make some money she and her fellow Tasmanian friend pretend to be expert live-in housekeepers. They land a job with Harold Pinter, one of the most significant playwrights of the twentieth century. Harold loves his house of treasures but mostly his favourite ugly coffee mug. Coffee every day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. If anything were to happen to his favourite mug…

'Hilary Bell’s new play explores our love for odd things. What is the magic that makes us possessive about objects? Three stories intertwine to take us on a hilarious, poignant and magical journey.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Gather your mistletoe, hang your stocking and join the Crummles family in their home as they bring to life this classic festive tale of villainy, injustice, transformation and redemption. This Victorian troupe will immerse you in the magic of Dickens’ ghostly world as they conjure up spirits with music, pantomime and other thrilling surprises.

'Visited by three strangers on the eve before Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge sees his inexcusable penny-pinching ways laid bare: from brushes with the past, to enlightenment in the present and dreaded visions of the future. Will Scrooge repent and throw turkey to the wind, or will he hold on to his purse strings, forever doomed like his poor deceased friend Marley?'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'It’s Sydney. It’s Christmas time. And it’s stinking hot. Even though she’s unable to be there, Mum is insisting the family gather in honour of Dad – he was the BBQ king!

'Their adult children, wine snob Peter and cynical Connie, reluctantly get the clan together for round two of festivities – they’ve survived the chaos of Christmas but Boxing Day is set to pack a punch. In raising a toast to their Dad’s memory, old grudges and family tensions sizzle to the surface. Surely they’ll be able to stop grilling each other for one day.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Mel’s got a lot on her plate. Between the anxiety-inducing return of her mother from their old home in Malaysia, her brother Eric’s mysterious double life and the pressure of caring for her mother’s prized poodle, Mel is hungry for more simplicity. In the world premiere of this new and eccentric family comedy, award-winning playwright Vanessa Bates colourfully unravels the complexities of what it means to be Eurasian in contemporary Australia. Energetically funny and affectionately provocative, THE ONE is a sizzling hotpot of food, culture and identity.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'To the world, Nora Helmer has it all. A well-respected husband, an immaculate home and three darling children. But underneath the façade of a confident modern woman juggling her life lies a secret. Or two. When an old ghost comes knocking on the Helmers’ door, their seemingly solid marriage is shaken to the core.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Free-spirited artist Renee has a sobering revelation at a New Year’s Eve party. With vivacious best friend Nick by her side, she now faces a life-changing decision. While reflecting on the tumultuous relationships between her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, no-nonsense Nick is on hand to lift her spirits and keep Renee grounded.

'Gumbaynggirr writer and actor Brittanie Shipway explores how the experiences of previous generations echo through time and shape the present. A LETTER FOR MOLLY is a vibrant, poignant story of reconnecting with family and looking to the future. This celebration of culture brings to light the importance of identity and the emotional power of a mother-daughter relationship.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'They might be carrying briefcases and commanding bigger pay cheques, but straight-talking Joanne and perennially optimistic Felicity are back and STILL UNQUALIFIED in this sequel to 2018’s hilarious hit comedy.

'It’s been a year since we left Joanne and Felicity singing at a karaoke bar. They now live together, work out of their home office and tackle jobs that require a far greater degree of expertise — which neither of them have. From birth doulas to truck drivers, wedding planners to paralegals, the two women stretch the truth but never risk stretching their friendship beyond repair.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Diving back into the dating pool in your 40’s is a scary prospect. This bittersweet comedy navigates the highs and lows of modern dating. Will Matt and Olivia take the plunge and swipe right? Or is it left…?'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'When former Queen Bee of the book club Robyn publishes her first novel, the truth about the death of her nemesis, Katie, begins to unravel. Female friendships are tested in this laugh-out-loud, brutally honest, new comedy.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Meet Kenny, a fearless Aussie plumber and eternal optimist who looks for the best in every situation – even when his job is literally down the toilet.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio, in her sights. This time, it’s personal.

'With the loyalty of his longstanding producer wavering, and a hip up-and-coming podcaster eager to take the mic off Mike, has the plug been pulled on Michael King’s career?'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Sparkling with razor sharp wit and humour, CRUNCH TIME tackles pertinent social issues head-on in this tale of family and duty. Don’t miss Australian theatre heavy-weight David Williamson’s final play before retirement.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'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. This is a story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Adjust the dial, tune in for an evening of suspense and intrigue and witness the world’s greatest detectives at their sleuthing best. Incomparable duo Holmes and Watson team up to avert disaster at the hands of THE SOLITARY CYCLIST, while Divorced Detectives Ridley Jones and Teresa Scott are embroiled in a mad train chase to thwart a criminal mastermind in THE DEAD(LY) WIVES CLUB.

'Set in a 1950’s studio in the heyday of the radio play, marvel as atmospheric sound effects are created before your very eyes from galloping horses’ hooves to distant thunder… and a menacing squeaky bicycle.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Appleton is a small country town being forced into the present with a recent influx of wealthy city slickers, treechangers and refugees. Simmering tensions come to a head when new GP Penny Anderson discovers that the famous Appleton Potato Race awards $1000 prize money for the men, and a measly $200 for the women. When Penny decides to take steps to restore gender parity and coax Appleton into the 21st century, little could she have anticipated the spiralling, hilarious culture war that would follow.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'Celia and Vicki were best friends at drama school, but the game of life has dealt them very different hands.

'Celia is a high profile soap star earning ridiculous amounts of money and the requisite harbourside views. Meanwhile Vicki is scraping by in gritty, critically acclaimed roles in independent theatre.

'When Vicki proposes they collaborate on an ambitious new film project, it could be a big opportunity for both of them to prove their mettle in the industry. But are Vicki’s motives as well-intentioned as they seem, or will jealousy rear its ugly head?'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.