Tickets for Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) shows are now on sale after a rockabilly roller derby launch party of its 2013 program.
NORPA is offering six wildly diverse theatre shows for its 2013 season in Lismore, ranging from the gothic horror of Frankenstein to a break-dancing roller-skating dance production Happy as Larry.
Artistic Director Julian Louis makes predictions over which of the six productions will be most popular.
‘I think The Ensemble Theatre’s Frankenstein will definitely be in the running for top spot,’ Louis says.’It recently opened in Sydney to amazing reviews and as the opening show in our season, it will be the first chance for audiences to experience a main-stage theatrical production in the newly renovated Lismore City Hall.’
‘But then again who wouldn’t want to see Taylor Mac, New York’s gender-bending cabaret sensation, cover 100 years of popular song in one spangled evening? Or Max Gillies and Samuel Johnson in an extremely powerful play by Reg Cribb called The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell?’
A re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz will also be staged, highlighting NORPA’s embrace of more experimental works. Both NORPA and La Boite Theatre in Brisbane are supporting the creation of this production, which will be premiered at the Brisbane Festival before beginning its run in Lismore.
‘That is what’s so great about curating a season of shows for a Northern Rivers audience – it’s a diverse and vibrant community of theatre lovers we cater for, with a wide palette of tastes!’
NORPA combines financial resources from funding bodies, sponsors and subscribers to ensure regional audiences can enjoy a quality theatrical experience.
‘Our relationship with Southern Cross University also means high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds will see some of the shows for free. This year local accounting firm TNR have also come on board and will be supporting the performances of The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell and Knee Deep.’
The chance to become a subscriber is also made easier in 2013. ‘Because it’s a shorter season this year we’ve made it so you only have to buy tickets to three shows to become a NORPA subscriber and get all the discounts and goodies like meeting the cast that come with being a subscriber – including a chance to win a bunch of festival passes.’
Tickets for NORPA’s 2013 shows are available at www.norpa.org.au or from the NORPA box office on tel: 1300 066 772. The first show Frankenstein opens July 19.
