BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS

Now you can step onto the very stage where the who's who of the entertainment world have performed nearly every night since 1973!

Dates:
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am
Saturdays at 9.30am

Venue:
Meet in the Adelaide Festival Theatre Foyer

Bookings:
Phone BASS on 131 246 or book online.
Adults $12.50 Concession $9.50 Junior $5 Family (4) $27

RADIO DRAMA WRITING WORKSHOPS

Radio Drama Writing Workshops designed to inspire the creative spirit and learn new skills that may get you published. Learn how to write a radio play and record the production on Radio 5UV. Actors required at end of course to record.

Dates:
May, June and July 2005
Wednesday nights 7.15pm - 9.15pm

Venue:
Bowden Brompton Community Centre

Bookings:
Phone the Community Centre on 8340 3013 or Jane on 0404 792 282
Costs $3.00

Auditions for roles will become available in the near future.

SUNDAYS WITH SAWT

A unique experience with South Australian Writer's Theatre.

2005 sees the South Australian Writers' Theatre emerge from its teens to celebrate 20 years of fostering and encouraging quality play writing for the SA stage. As part of the celebrations over the five months of the 2005 season, the popular "Sunday with SAWT" script-in-hand performances at the Bakehouse theatre presents a feast of exciting new writing from established and emerging playwrights.

The season bats off on May 1 with a performance of Scott Hatcher's, "A Horse Named Resurrection", a play that emerged from the Melbourne Writers' Theatre to enjoy a successful season at that city's Carlton Courthouse Theatre in December, 2004. Guest speaker will be Frank Ford, OAM.

On June 12, Ross Barrett's "Harps in the Air" will host Adam Cook, the new Artistic Director of the State Theatre, as guest speaker, while Bruce Tucker's new play, "A Minefield Before Me", will be the offering on July 24. The September 4 performance features "Banana Split", the work of the renowned playwright, Heather Nimmo and to wrap up a perfect year, why not experience "A Perfect World"? This is Brian Fox's new play on October 16. All dates worth noting in your cultural diary.

Dates:
May 1, June 12, July 24, September 4 and October 16 at 1pm

Venue:
Bakehouse Theatre,
255 Angas Street, Adelaide

Bookings:
Tickets at the door
All tickets $6 (includes soup, roll, pre-play talk and post-play discussion)

Enquiries to Artistic Director, Paula Carter to theatre@chariot.net.au

QUIDAM - CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Created in Montreal in 1996, Quidam is Cirque du Soleil's third show to tour Australia, following the critically acclaimed seasons of Saltimbanco in 1999 and Alegria in 2001, which was seen by over 900,000 Australians and New Zealanders during its twelve month run.

Quidam is a show so extraordinary "it makes the impossible come true" (TIME Magazine) and will see Cirque du Soleil's spectacular new 2,500 seat blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) visit Adelaide for the first time.

With more than 50 performers from 10 countries, the production is a thrilling combination of acrobatic artistry, technical expertise, extravagant design and exceptional musical inspiration, woven into a seamless whole by an emotional dramatic thread. Quidam features the German wheel, banquine, Spanish webs, diabolos, aerial contortion in silk, and of course the acclaimed crazy clowns. A haunting live score draws from a wealth of eclectic cultural blends, classical strings and synthesizers, samplers and guitars.

Performance Dates:
Premieres 12 May, 2005
Tuesdays - Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm
Sundays at 1pm and 5pm
No performances on Mondays

Venue:
Under the Grand Chapiteau
Bonython Park, Port Road, Adelaide

Bookings:
Phone BASS on 1300 302 612 or online at cirquedusoleil.com
Adults from $59.00 to $109.00, Children (2 - 12 yrs) from $39.00 to $89.00
VIP packages, corporate and group discounts are available.

SOMETHING ON SATURDAY

Blast off this season with National Pharmacies and the Adelaide Festival Centre again joining forces to bring you "Something on Saturday". "Something On Saturday" is in its 28th year; and this ever-changing program is the best entertainment in Adelaide for 3 to 10 year olds and their families.

Each year the program gives more than 5,000 children and their families the opportunity to experience the arts and children's entertainment. This year the program really does include something for the entire family from ballet, percussion, puppetry, ventriloquism, theatre, song and dance.

The season explodes with two opening ballet concerts of "The Red Shoes" by the South Australian Children's Ballet Company, on Saturday 14 May at 1pm and 3pm in the Dunstan Playhouse. This classic fairytale has been adapted especially for children.

Highlights from this year's program include:

• Peter Pan by the Australian Classical Youth Ballet
• Snaps Kakadu Club presented by Lindi Jane, Australia's best ventriloquist.
• Knee High Puppeteers in The Lost Android
• Wala a dynamic fusion of African drumming, dance, percussion and soaring harmonies.
• A Funkee Outback Adventure, great for kids of all ages.

FIRST CURTAIN CALL

The Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation invites South Australians to be part of history by attending the "First Curtain Call" on Friday 20 May.

Since 2002 the AFC Foundation has been raising funds, through events and donations, to commission a new curtain for the Festival Theatre and the first unveiling of the curtain promises to be quite a celebration.

"It is only fitting that such a significant event in the history of Australia's first performing arts centre is celebrated with the best of Australian musical theatre talent," said Elizabeth Davis, AFC Foundation Executive.

"We are delighted that Marina Prior, Ian Stenlake and Rachel Beck will be part of the entertainment line-up for our special event on Friday 20 May and they will be joined by some of the most talented young artists of State Opera of South Australia: Adam Goodburn, Deb Caddy and Anthony Hunt," Elizabeth said.

"In addition to seeing this amazing line up of Australian talent and witnessing an historical event, guests will be able to view, up close, the beautiful artwork on the new curtain," Elizabeth said.

South Australian artists, Tony Bishop and Pamela Watts, have been selected to transform the new curtain into a spectacular work of art.

Tony Bishop's previous work includes four separate commissions for the New Parliament House in Canberra, including the Speaker's Chair, 20 panels for the entrance foyer, Cabinet Room ceiling and wall designs in the area leading to the Cabinet Room. He also completed the sculptural wall at the intersection of Glen Osmond, Cross and Portrush Roads and designed the eight metre figure in Flamma Flamma for the Adelaide Festival of Arts opening ceremony.

Pamela Watts assisted in the design of Flamma Flamma and has also designed for the Adelaide Festival Centre, WA Theatre 2 Production, Patch Theatre, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Come Out and the Australian tours of Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

Performance Dates:
Friday 20 May at 7.15pm

Venue:
Adelaide Festival Theatre

Bookings:
Phone BASS on 131 246 or visit www.bass.net.au.
Performance, food & wine - $45
Performance, food, wine and an encore performance where you too will be on the Festival Theatre stage with supper included - $99

TAP DOGS - 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Dein Perry's "Tap Dogs" are returning to Australia for a triumphant homecoming.

The "Tap Dogs 10th Anniversary Tour" will commence in Dein's hometown of Newcastle, before touring to Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

"Tap Dogs" combines the larrikinism of six sweaty and sexy blokes in Blundstone boots with the precision and athleticism of incredible tap dancing.

On Saturday 7 January 1995 a new dance phenomenon was born in Sydney, one which would go on to take the world by storm. On a sultry summer's night in front of an ecstatic audience of 1,000 people ranging from Kylie Minogue to Paul Keating, the world premiere performance of Dein Perry's "Tap Dogs" took place. The location was the Starfish Club, a temporary cabaret venue created at The Wharf for the Sydney Festival.

"Tap Dogs" was an instant hit and caused an equal sensation at the Edinburgh Festival later that year. The show went on to play to packed houses in London at Sadler's Wells. On the West End, Dein Perry won his second Olivier Award for his choreography of "Tap Dogs".

The show has won over eleven international awards including an Obie for its 1997 Off-Broadway season in New York and a Pegasus Award at Italy's Spoleto Festival.

Between 1998 and 2004, "Tap Dogs" toured with up to four companies simultaneously performing in the four corners of the globe, delighting audiences across Europe, Asia and America.

In 2000, "Tap Dogs" was finally confirmed as a national icon when Dein Perry was invited to contribute to the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Drawing on dancers from "Tap Dogs" companies around the world and local dancers, 1,000 "Tap Dogs" performed to a television audience of 3.4 billion.

In that same year, "Tap Dogs" was immortalised with the release of the motion picture, Bootmen, directed by Dein Perry and inspired by his "Tap Dogs" experience.

The 10th Anniversary Australian tour of "Tap Dogs" will feature an outstanding cast to be announced at the "Tap Dogs" launch in October. The incredible Australian success story of "Tap Dog" continues…

Performance Dates:
Strictly limited season from 24 May
Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm
Sunday at 3pm and 7pm

Venue:
Adelaide Festival Theatre

Bookings:
Phone BASS on 131 246 or visit www.bass.net.au.

TANGO FIRE

Estampas Porteñas, the hottest Tango company from Buenos Aires, Argentina, returns to Australia with their thrilling new show "Tango Fire".

Featuring a quintet of brilliant young musicians, ten torrid dancers and two fine singers, "Tango Fire" offers a journey through the history of Tango - the world's most alluring and exciting dance.

Tango - Argentina's gift to the world, the very word evokes sensuality and intrigue, lust and provocation, raw energy and knife-edge precision. This most intoxicating of dances emerged in Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century. Born in the brothels and taverns of Buenos Aires, Tango was the dance of the fugitive and pimp, immigrants and country people drawn to the Argentine capital by its economic promise.

For nearly two hundred years Tango has been the dance when it comes to expressing love. It is the one universally recognized duet that has conveyed in film and theatre to millions the complexity of passion between a man and a woman. The passionate music and fiery dance of the Tango have undergone a renaissance in recent years, a testament to its ability to capture the imagination of lovers of music and dance around the world - erotic seductive, and irresistible!

"Tango Fire" traces the history of Tango, from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties; and its evolution to the world of contemporary ballroom accompanied by the music of Astor Piazzolla, Rodriguez and many others.

Estampas Porteñas was founded in Buenos Aires in 1996 by the distinguished Argentine ballerina and choreographer, Carolina Soler. Beginning her career in classical ballet Carolina Soler was well known for her dazzling portrayal of the traditional classical ballet roles. In Estampas Porteñas she returns to the dance form that is the heart and soul of her home country.

Performance Dates:
Wednesday 25 May

Venue:
Thebarton Theatre

Bookings:
Phone Venuetix on 8225 8888 or visit www.venuetix.com.au.
Tickets $40 - $69

PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES

The Musaic Vocal Company present a nostalgic afternoon of wartime favourites and sing-a-longs featuring the Musaic Little Big Band and songs such as "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree", "In the Mood", "Over the Rainbow", "The White Cliffs of Dover" and "We'll Meet Again".

Performance Dates:
Sunday 29 May at 2pm

Venue:
North Adelaide Baptist Church
146 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

Bookings:
Phone Mark on 0409 285 478 or email musaic_vocal@yahoo.com.au.
Adults $15 Concession $10 Special rates for groups.
Tickets include afternoon tea.

GALA & "CURTAIN CALL" AWARDS DINNER

When was the last time the theatre community had an opportunity to celebrate their achievements together in the same room?

We are delighted to announce the details for the Gala & Awards Dinner to present the nominations and ultimate winners of each award category as well as providing an opportunity to reunite with theatre friends of past and present.

This inaugural event will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the efforts of the Adelaide theatre community. Plus, be one of the first to see and use the newly revamped Adelaide Theatre Guide site!

Tim Ferguson (Star of television, comedy and recently seen in MS Society's Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) will also return to Adelaide to MC the event along with Adelaide performers and presenters.

Categories being considered for both Amateur and Professional/Semi-Professional categories this year are:

• Best Show - Comedy
• Best Show - Drama
• Best Show - Musical
• Best Male Performance
• Best Female Performance