Welcome to the Season

I extend a warm invitation to you to attend Her Majesty's Theatre in its 128th year of operation, and 11th annual season, to experience and enjoy the wide diversity of performances in Act 1 of the our Season.
Act 1 comprises 10 theatrical productions from around Australia, overseas and locally produced, and includes the return into the Begonia Festival of the Art Academy, University of Ballarat with Kiss Me, Kate and Ballarat Light Opera Company's production of Sondheim's classic Sweeney Todd. Circus Oz, whose season sold out in 2001, returns to the Ballarat North Reserve Gardens for the Begonia Festival with an enormous 1,350 seat Big top tent.
Drama pieces include Mavis Goes to Timor; Andrew Bovell's Speaking in Tongues, the play that inspired the Award winning film Lantana; and David Williamson's community conferencing piece A Conversation.
There is opera from The Three Chinese Tenors, dance from Black Grace, New Zealand's leading Pacific contemporary dance company, music from the Melbourne Symphony and stand-up comedy from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Truly a decahedron of theatrical delights! Purchase 5 shows in Act 1 to qualify for the Season package discount and for the chance to buy tickets for the Royal Shakespeare Compasny's The Hollow Crown at a substantial discount.
Special thanks are extended to all the Media and Ballarat Local Sponsors of Act 1 of the Her Majesty's 2003 Theatre season.
And that's only Act 1 of 2003. Further details about Act 2 will be published in April 2003.

Janice Haynes
Director, Her Majesty's Theatre

Music & lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Sam & Bella Spewack
By special arrangement with Tams Witmark

Directed by Kim Durban

Presented by University of Ballarat Arts Academy

Friday 28 February & Saturday 1 March,
Tuesday 4 & Wed 5 March at 8pm
Matinee - Sunday 2 March at 2pm

This update on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew is a toe-tapping, tune-whistling masterpiece. The story is fun, the songs are witty and the energetic and talented young performers from the University of Ballarat's Arts Academy will stun you in the Begonia Festival special theatre event. This classic show by Cole Porter had a hugely successful revival on Broadway and the West End.

Door Prices: Adult: $24 Conc: $19 Child/Youth/Student: $14 Season Prices Adult: $22 Conc: $17 Child/Youth/Student: $13

presented by Her Majesty's Theatre & Ballarat Begonia Festival

Thursday 6 & Saturday 8 - Monday 10 March at 7.30pm

Australia's own contemporary circus is set to amaze Ballarat audiences with their fanatical, high flying antics. Once again this group of stunt jumping crazies will pitch their Big Top in the North Gardens Reserve and crank out another non-stop barrage of energy. Circus Oz came to Ballarat for a sell-out season during the 2001 Begonia Festival. In 2003 they'll be bringing the house down with their brand new show.

Door Prices: Adult $24, Concession $19, Child $15, Family $69
Season Prices: Adult $22, Concession $16, Child $13

Presented by Deckchair Theatre

Monday 11 March at 8pm

Written by Angela Chaplin, Katherine Thomson & Kavisha Mazzella
Directed by Angela Chaplin
Songs & music by Kavisha Mazzella
Video by Nancy Jones
Set Design by Michael Betts
Lighting Design by Mark Howett
Costume design by Mand Markey

Mavis Taylor is an 86 year old haberdasher from Yarrawonga. Stung into action by the suffering of the Timorese people, she decides that she can make a difference, and heads off to East Timor, with old sewing machines, donated material and thread (her first overseas trip). Her legacy, now overseen in Dili by daughter Elwyn, is a series of 23 small sewing workshops where Timorese women can make a living and clothe their families.

The play focuses on the three women - Anne Phelan is the compassionate and sensible Mavis, whose social conscience set in train the events of the show. Kerry-Ella McAullay is her daughter Elwyn, and Cidalia Pires is their valiant and heroic woman Timorese co-worker. This is the true story of one woman's determination to make a difference.

"MAVIS GOES TO TIMOR is a dedication, a hymn to the spirit of the people of East Timor." Kavisha Mazella

Door Prices: Adult: $32 Conc: $27 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $28 Conc: $24 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Presented by Hit Productions

Monday 17 March at 8pm

Speaking in Tongues, the play that inspired the award-winning film Lantana, is an intriguing, thrilling and engaging drama. Four actors portray the lives of nine different characters that grow in complexity through the course of the play.

A complex mystery of duplicity and deceit unfolds through an unusual set of circumstances that draws strangers together yet creates yawning chasms in existing relationships. Stars John Diedrich and presented by Hit Productions.

Door Prices: Adult: $32 Conc: $27 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $28 Conc: $24 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Presented by Sydney's Ensemble Theatre.

Thursday 27 March at 8pm

A Conversation is David Williamson's second play in the trilogy he has written on the process of community conferencing. A community conference involving his family of a convicted rapist and murderer, the family of the victim, a prison psychologist and conference convener has an extraordinary effect on their lives. The content of this play may be disturbing to some patrons.

"..tension is palpable, emotions run high, and hope surfaces at the end." Sunday Telegraph.

"superb at exploring compassionately and humorously the interaction between individuals .. Extraordinary intensity and strength." The Australian.

Door Prices: Adult: $34 Conc: $30 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $30 Conc: $27 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Saturday 29 March at 8pm

Brett Kelly conductor

Program to include:
SCULTHORPE Earth Cry
BEETHOVEN Symphony No.3 Eroica

Returning by popular demand after a highly acclaimed concert in 2001, the world class Melbourne Symphony will perform at Her Majesty's under the baton of one of Australia's most respected musicians, Brett Kelly. The program includes Sculthorpe's menacing Earth Music and will culminate in the might and power of Beethoven's evocative Eroica Symphony, regarded by many music-lovers as the greatest symphony ever written.

Don't miss your only opportunity to see Melbourne's renowned Symphony, fresh from their highly successful tour of China in 2002.

Door Prices: Adult $30 Concession $25 Student $18 Group $25 Season Prices Adult: $25 Conc: $20

Saturday 12 April at 8pm

They've delighted audiences throughout Australia and Asia with their superb voices and strong theatrical performances. The Three Chinese Tenors are classical singers first, although their performance can be fun and light hearted, but their main emphasis is always on good singing. This is a rare opportunity to experience the magnificent voices of The Three Chinese Tenors singing in Italian, French, German and hearing some of the most beautiful Chinese folk songs every written.

Ballarat Local Sponsor: St John of God Health Care

Door Prices: Adult: $30 Conc: $27 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $26 Conc: $23 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Don't miss the 2003 Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow, now in its fifth huge year! Some of the funniest home grown and international comedians of the 2003 Comedy Festival are coming direct to you. It's a stand-up, in your face, knock you down, good time. Don't miss it! The laughs start here.

'Buckle up for a fast-paced onslaught of comedy.'
Warragul Gazette
'The Melbourne Comedy Festival is no holds barred, witty, intelligent and above all raw edged humour from the best comedians Australia has to offer.'
Perth Xpress
'A diverse group of humourists, served up hot, with more than a dash of mixed spice.'
South Western Times
'An event not to be missed.'
Macedon Ranges Telegraph
'Comedy fans are in for a treat.'
Latrobe Valley Express
'The Roadshow has become a much-anticipated addition to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.'
Esperance Express
'Another giggle fest not to be missed.'
Sunshine Coast Daily Entertainer
'A night of riotous comedy.'
The Frankston Hastings Independent
'The laughs will fly thick and fast.'
Perth Sunday Times

Door Prices: Adult: $29 Conc: $24 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $25 Conc: $20 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Ballarat Local Sponsor: GeeCee's Cafe and Crown Lager

Ballarat Light Opera Company Inc

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
From an adaptation by Christopher Bond

Directed by Peter Tulloch
Designer Damian Muller
Musical Director Ian Govan

Originally directed by Harold Prince Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Maros

By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd,
exclusive representative of Music Theatre International

Wednesday 14 - Saturday 17 May, Wednesday 21 - Saturday 24 May at 8pm
Matinee - Sunday 18 May at 2pm

Season Night: Thursday 15 May at 8pm

Ballarat Light Opera Company present this "penny-dreadful" Victorian melodrama, with brilliant and dramatic lush musical score by Stephen Sondheim. It tells the tale of Sweeney Todd, who, with his trusty razors, takes revenge on those who have done him wrong and anyone who gets in the way. But what to do with the bodies? Teaming up with Mrs. Lovett they produce the best pies in London! A musical thriller NOT for the faint-hearted

Door Prices: Adult: $30 Conc: $20 Child/Youth/Student: $15 Season Prices Adult: $$28 Conc: $18 Child/Youth/Student: $13

Black Grace Dance Company presents New Works

Tuesday 27 May at 8pm

Black Grace is New Zealand's leading Pacific contemporary dance company and boasts some of the finest Maori and Pacific Island dancers the country has to offer. Black Grace's dance style involves the creation and development of work specific to Aotearoa/New Zealand and it's cultural landscape. Artistic Director Neil Ieremia is one of New Zealand's most accomplished choreographers and under his direction Black Grace offers the ultimate live dance experience - an explosive mix of rhythm, spirit and energy.
New Works is a fresh, fast and unique season that is big on entertainment, personality and innovation. The touring programme combines huge style and humour and will include some of the company's favourite moments from previous New Works seasons (1996 - 2002).

Door Prices: Adult: $35 Conc: $30 Child/Youth/Student: $18 Season Prices Adult: $31 Conc: $26 Child/Youth/Student: $17

Bell Shakespeare Company

Wednesday 23 April at 5pm & 8pm

Join some of Britain's finest actors for an evening of letters, speeches, poems, songs and music by and about the Kings and Queens of England.
Patrons who purchase a Her Majesty's 2003 Theatre Season before Friday 14 February 2003 will be able to buy tickets to The Hollow Crown for $59 evening performance and $54 matinee, a saving of up to $15.
The offer applies to A Reserve tickets only and is subject to availability.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to see four legends of the British stage in this magnificent performance, direct from Stratford upon Avon.