By Michael Gow, Mark Gaal & Kathryn Ash
Three playwrights take great joy in propelling their characters through the streets of the tourist city that is Cairns. Our story opens with a busker on the ‘narde painting musical images of a night on the Esplanade where backpackers and locals swim in the tropical miasma that is the wet season. The tension rises as the nightclubs empty and the Esplanade fills.
Meeting Sydney-sider souvenir entrepreneur, Rita, arriving to open her souvenir emporium, is a stylistic whirlwind and a force to behold. A new business venture that promises to end her money woes brings her blasting back to Cairns to make her fortune. But will it come crashing down around her?
We are then taken to a winter’s night in Melbourne where lonely Moira has invited her fellow Cairns Reef & Rainforest Tour buddies for a slide night reunion where they all see themselves through Moira’s eyes.
‘Paradise is Singing’ presents three interlaced characters and their stories about Cairns which have been described as a “kaleidoscopic fusion of laughter and tears, frustration and celebration”. This play brings to the stage a lifestyle in Cairns as seen through the eyes of three quite different women whose past draws them to this place, a place we are invited to explore with them.
‘Paradise is Singing’ presents three interlaced characters and their stories about Cairns which have been described as a “kaleidoscopic fusion of laughter and tears, frustration and celebration”. This play brings to the stage a lifestyle in Cairns as seen through the eyes of three quite different women whose past draws them to this place, a place we are invited to explore with them.
Cast & Crew
Director: David Fenton
Playwright: Michael Gow, Mark Gaal and Kathryn Ash
Set Designer: Simone Tesorieri
Costume Designer: Simona Cosentini
Lighting Designer: Jason Glenwright
Sound Designer: Quincy Grant
AV Designer: Dave Masters
Technical Consultant: Sam Gibb
Stage Manager: Angela Burchett
Featuring:
Roz Pappalardo
Rachel Terry
Susan Prince
Dates & Venues
October 7 – 22: JUTE Theatre, Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns, 96 Abbott Street, Cairns
Prices
Adult $30
Concession $25
Groups of 4 or more $28 each
Opening Night Adult $40 (Red Carpet Event with Champagne & Canapés)
Opening Night Concession $35 (Red Carpet Event with Champagne & Canapés)
Opening Group of 4 or more $38 (Red Carpet Event with Champagne & Canapés)
N.B. Booking fees may apply
Theatre is for everyone! Prices are set to suit everyone’s lifestyle. Please note that you can also attend a JUTE show free of charge simply by volunteering a minimum of two hours towards the production. Excludes opening night.
More Info
The play runs for approximately 90 minutes with no interval.
Gallery
Schools
School groups can be booked directly through this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GX5BJ2S
Matinee + 20min Q&A: $15 per student + teacher/s free
Matinee + 20min Q&A + 45min Workshop: $30 per student + teacher/s free
Evenings: $25 per student + teacher’s free
Program
Supporters
JUTE Theatre Company acknowledges the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Sponsors
Status Signs · Southern Cross Atrium Apartments · Cardzilla · As You Like It Hair & Makeup Gallery