B SharpThe Downstairs Theatre is home to B Sharp which presents an annual season of independent works curated by Company B. In partnership with independent artists, B Sharp presents dynamic small-scale works inspired by big visions and big hearts. The season delivers a vibrant range of theatrical voices in an intimate setting: new Australian works, reinvented classics and the very best of contemporary international writing. Now in its twelfth year, the program has grown to hold a unique place in the Australian theatre landscape and over the next few years will continue to grow as a hub for new work, new ideas, new collaborations and stories that need to be told up close and within spitting distance! This season is made possible through the dedication and passion of the independent artist involved, many of whom give their time without guarantee of remuneration. B Sharp Season BrochureIf you’d like to receive a copy of the February-July 2010 Season Brochure, email your postal details to bsharp@belvoir.com.au B Sharp BulletinArtists and companies wishing to join our general B Sharp email list click here and hit send on your email program. For media enquiries please contact: Meera Hindocha
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B SHARP 2010 FEBRUARY – JULY SEASON LAUNCHED!For this season I’m delighted to entice you with five great works, providing a diverse selection of stories, ideas and theatrical styles for you to devour over the next six months. First up is Martin Sherman’s seminal play Bent, which we are thrilled to present 30 years after it premiered in London, under the direction of Pete Nettell in association with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival. Bent is an unexpected love story which wrestles with the treatment of homosexuals during the Third Reich in Nazi Germany and explores the origin of the pink triangle, now a universal symbol of gay pride. We’re so pleased that Sydney audiences will finally have the opportunity to see this important work. If you’ve been following B Sharp over the past few years you’ll have noticed a growing body of work from a few key artists as well as the introduction of new artists into the stable each year. In March we welcome back The Hayloft Project for the third year to continue their contemporary investigation of the classics. This time it’s a new version of Nikolai Erdman’s 1928 play The Suicide written and directed by Simon Stone. A laugh-out-loud existential farce, I can’t wait to see this Russian black comedy transformed for the Downstairs Theatre. In May we welcome Cristabel Sved to B Sharp to direct the Australian premiere of Jez Butterworth’s compelling new play Parlour Song. Wonderfully entertaining, Parlour Song is a surreal and hilarious deconstruction of the suburban dream and the aspirations of our modern world. It’s always exhilarating to present new Australian writing and we’re thrilled that Jonathan Gavin’s latest play Bang will have its world premiere at B Sharp. Directed by Kim Hardwick making her B Sharp debut, this is one not to be missed. Bang is an accomplished work with a bold and daring vision, that cleverly interrogates the role and influence of religion in our society through the relationships and interactions of a line-up of extraordinary characters. To complete the February – July Season, Wayne Blair returns to B Sharp to direct Dirty Butterfly by British-Jamaican playwright Debbie Tucker Green. An extraordinary work in both form and content, examining issues of class and race, Dirty Butterfly is a fascinating piece of contemporary writing. I am confident this creative team will bring great insight to create something very special for audiences. Can't wait to get your hands on a brochure, check it out online here! Plan ahead and save more in 2010 with a Sharp Card! Purchase a Sharp Card through the Company B Belvoir Box Office for $10 and you’ll pay just $24 per ticket for you and a guest to all B Sharp productions in 2010. That’s a massive saving of $8 on each ticket purchase! Like to plan ahead? Buy a Sharp Card and book all your B Sharp shows in advance, if your plans change you’ll receive one in season ticket exchange free of charge (tickets cannot be exchanged between productions). Other great benefits include discounts at Berkelouw Books and our fantastic restaurant partner Bird Cow Fish just around the corner on Crown Street, Surry Hills. Tickets are on sale now across the season, I look forward to sharing many more nights with you this year in our gorgeous little theatre! Annette Madden Tahli Corin P.S. Don’t forget you’ve still got two weeks to see some great comedy and cabaret with Monster of the Deep 3D, Double Exposure and The Fabulous Frances Faye in Australia playing now at B Sharp until February 14.
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Philip Parsons Young Playwright's Award 2009Company B Belvoir is pleased to announce that the 2009 Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award has been given jointly to Tahli Corin and Caleb Lewis. The decision was announced on Sunday 6 December at the Belvoir St Theatre, to an audience assembled to listen to, and participate in, a panel discussion about opportunities for women in the theatre industry within Australia. The winners will receive $5000 each to work on a script to first draft stage, as well as artistic and creative support from Company B Belvoir to develop their commissioned work. The Philip Parsons Award is given each year to a playwright whose work demonstrates an original and compelling theatrical voice, and the competition attracts the highest calibre of artists each year. The award has a strong tradition of supporting new Australian writing and the work produced through the Award has a remarkable track record. Kate Mulvany’s The Seed premiered at B Sharp in 2007, moved to the Company B mainstage in 2008 and toured nationally in 2009. Brendan Cowell’s Ruben Guthrie premiered at B Sharp in 2008 and a new production was staged as part of Company B’s season in 2009. Tommy Murphy’s commission Gwen in Purgatory will premiere in Company B Belvoir’s 2010 season, directed by Neil Armfield. There are high hopes for Khoa Do, the 2008 winner, whose play To 100 Years of Happiness is still in development. |
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