QTC Away tour 2006

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299813082012-01-10T05:26:38.343+10:00QTC Away tour 2006This is the blog for the 2006 Queensland Theatre Company tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Michael Gow's play Away.Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1159267782844181162006-09-26T20:42:00.000+10:002007-02-18T07:39:47.700+10:00Away almost over

The Away tour is almost at an end. Tonight sees the first of five nights at the Canberra Theatre Centre, and then that's it. What a trip it has been since opening night in Brisbane on May 4.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1158884007186433082006-09-22T10:11:00.000+10:002006-09-22T10:16:06.890+10:00Rave reviews

Away has been well received by Adelaide critcis, with The Sunday Mail's Matt Byrne praising the cast and summing up: "I know it's sentimental, I know it's aimed at the heartstrings that Australians protect so well, but Away works. And this production sets a new standard for what we can expect from this significant play - a fresh and poignant stroll down memory beach that reminds us who we are and

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1157505630892227142006-09-06T11:18:00.000+10:002006-09-06T20:02:43.000+10:00Show stopper

The play almost didn't go on at the Laycock Theatre in Gosford when actor Leon Cain had an issue with an usher. Leon, dressed as a schoolboy, has to run from backstage to the front of house to deliver a line from the back of the theatre. The usher caught him in the foyer and kept asking him what school he was from and insisting that he sit down when he was standing by for his auditorium entrance.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1155430456260526452006-08-13T10:51:00.000+10:002006-08-13T10:56:14.860+10:00Robust reaction

In an interview with the North Shore Times, Barbara Lowing describes her character in Away as "the type of person who makes people face their own demons". She adds: "Audience reactions to Gwen have been quite violent. I've been called all sorts of names and even been told to shut up." Away opens at the Glen Street Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1154729554443023802006-08-05T08:09:00.000+10:002006-08-05T08:12:34.450+10:00Off to the 'Gong

After a performance in Darwin last night, the Away cast and crew are now on their way to Wollongong for a five-day spell at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1154291112393647892006-07-31T06:23:00.000+10:002006-07-31T06:26:24.440+10:00In the running

Away is among the nominees for best play at tonight's Helpmann Awards, which will be telecast on Fox 8.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153958574673450762006-07-27T10:01:00.000+10:002006-07-27T10:05:00.370+10:00Cheers for the sponsors

Barbara Lowing writes:Now we are in Cairns. Michael (Gow) and Fabienne (our fabulous Corporate Development Manager) arrive tomorrow, and we have the official opening of the northern tour of the play.MFS - our wonderful sponsors on this tour - and this is an unashamed plug for MFS - will be there. Just gotta say something about MFS. They have taken on sponsoring the Arts for the first time, and

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153958366514042372006-07-27T09:49:00.000+10:002006-07-27T09:59:26.523+10:00Here's to the crew

Barbara Lowing writes from Townsville:Well, the front runners went to Townsville on Sunday, and on Monday, 4 of the team headed over to Magnetic Island. I love Magnetic, but it is becoming grossly populated, with resorts and ravaging real estate agents. We - Richie, Amy, Allana and I, (four of the front runners - Ben is our fifth member) found the beautiful Florence Bay. I had been there before

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153957727866717642006-07-27T09:45:00.000+10:002006-07-27T09:48:47.873+10:00Empire strikes backs

Barbara Lowing writes from ToowoombaWe have just performed in one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever been in. The Empire Theatre, in Toowoomba (picturedabove). It is astoundingly beautiful. Everything about it is divine, from the art deco lights and ceilings, to the wonderful staff, who are so proud of the theatre and so proud to be working there. If you are ever in Toowoomba, please

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153737617940324362006-07-24T20:25:00.000+10:002006-07-25T09:37:53.496+10:00Welcome to Townsville

The Townsville Bulletin welcomed the Away cast to the north with an article in its Guide section on Friday, July 21. Director Michael Gow is quoted as saying: ``People still go on Christmas holidays and people still have crap times with people they don't want to be around ... After 20 years I thought: `let's go back and see if it still works', and it does." Away will play Tuesday (July 24) and

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153427851142897622006-07-21T06:35:00.000+10:002006-07-21T06:37:31.143+10:00A bit of the Bard

What do the members of a touring theatre company do on their night off? They go to the theatre, of course. Away actors Leon Cain, Georgina Symes and Richard Sydenham, along with director Michael Gow, were spotted in the audience of Bell Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the QPAC Playhouse in Brisbane last night.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1153364709620229682006-07-20T13:03:00.000+10:002006-07-21T06:35:10.613+10:00Heading to Townsville

After a matinee in Toowoomba, the Away cast and crew are loading up the caravan again and heading to the Townsville Civic Theatre, where they'll perform on Monday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 25.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152926945717071772006-07-15T11:22:00.000+10:002006-07-15T11:30:12.136+10:00On with the show

A reminder of the remaining Queensland tour dates, and some links to the local websites:Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 JulyTownsville Civic Theatre, Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 JulyCairns Civic Theatre, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 JulyThe tour then continues to Darwin, Woollongon, Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle, Warragul, Monee Ponds, Adelaide and Canberra.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152677212325103252006-07-12T14:03:00.000+10:002006-07-12T14:43:49.600+10:00Rocky awaits Away

The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin has previewed the Away tour with a feature in its Entertainer section. It says, in part:Playwright Michael Gow who is also directing the piece, said he was excitedabout the prospect of recreating Away.“This time around, we’re going to take a fresh look at the magic that thismuch loved play generates,’’ he said.The Bully also mentions that the Pilbeam Theatre is

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152612130674742462006-07-11T20:01:00.000+10:002006-07-17T10:26:28.340+10:00Hello, Gladstone

Barbara Lowing writesSo, now we are in Gladstone. We flew in yesterday, and the warm weather is lovely. Unfortunately, my very carefully wrapped and stored bottle of fish sauce broke in my bag, so I would like to apologize to all on the small plane that flew us to Gladstone. The smell was not cat sick, just fish sauce. And I had the fish sauce because I had a kitchen in Sydney, and I had been

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152612065218836722006-07-11T19:57:00.000+10:002006-07-11T20:50:17.106+10:00Farewell to The Stables

Barbara Lowing writes:On Friday night, just as were about to start our warm up dance, Michael (Gow) arrived at the theatre, pulling off a surprise visit. It was lovely to see him. Our little family was almost back together. All we needed now were Richie and Ben, our Queensland crew, who were meeting us in Gladstone. It will be interesting going back into the large theatres, taking some of the

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152610828412128932006-07-11T19:38:00.000+10:002006-07-12T14:45:10.040+10:00Too close for comfort

Barbara Lowing writes:It turned out that what our cast member had WAS gastro, and he did go on stage in a very bad way, and the audience never would have known. We call that "Dr Theatre". You can have a steaming flu or food poisoning, and be in agony in the dressing room and the wings, but the moment you walk on stage it seems to disappear. I have actually fainted on stage once, and remained

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152610590462218592006-07-11T19:33:00.000+10:002006-07-11T20:12:33.250+10:00Cold comfort

Barbara Lowing writes:I wandered over to Toronga Zoo last week. I forgot that it was school holidays in NSW. The zoo was very crowded, and very windy and cold, and at times I wondered who really should be in the cages.We also had another interesting week in the cupboard- i.e. our dressing room. I call it that with no malice, it is just that small.We have all had the same cold - it has become the

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1152400437596744462006-07-09T09:12:00.000+10:002006-07-09T09:13:57.606+10:00A play of significant importance

... that's how Away is described in this review from SX News.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151884199984942842006-07-03T09:44:00.000+10:002006-07-03T09:49:59.993+10:00Barb's diary

Barbara Lowing is keeping a diary during the tour. Here's her first entry:I have been battling a force-4 cold, and found myself sleeping during the day, something I rarely do. It is always ‘interesting’ doing a show when you are not feeling up to par. You wake in the morning and hope desperately that all will be well by the evening, and as the day goes on and it becomes obvious that your nose is

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151721336919412072006-07-01T12:32:00.000+10:002006-07-01T12:36:05.280+10:00Read all about it

Here are links to some recent news articles about Away:Death Takes a Holiday (Time magazine)Up, up and Away (The Sunday Mail, Queensland)Away with the Fairies ... (Sydney Morning Herald)

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151485517316874892006-06-28T19:02:00.000+10:002006-06-29T08:06:53.276+10:00Helpmann nom

Away has been nominated in the best play category of the Helpmann Awards, which will be presented on July 31 at the Lyric Theatre, Star City, Sydney. The full list of nominees can be found here.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151309810145899172006-06-26T18:13:00.000+10:002006-06-26T19:25:34.253+10:00More Sydney reviews

The Sunday Telegraph's Diana Simmonds gives the play five stars and says, "Away taps into an Australia teetering on the brink of sophistication, but still up to its neck in suffocating provincialism. The characterisations are hilarious, compassionate and savage. The youngsters ... (Tom and Meg: Leon Cain and Francesca Savige), are breathtaking in their coltish innocence ..."Gary Smith, at the

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151128799988517062006-06-25T00:01:00.000+10:002006-06-24T16:26:17.060+10:00Away we go

Welcome to the Away tour blog. If you are visiting today, Sunday, June 25, you've probably read about this site in the ie section of The Sunday Mail. The blog includes contributions from touring cast members of Away, Queensland Theatre Company staff and the site administrator, Brett Debritz.We welcome your comments, however they are subject to moderation and editing, and there may be a delay

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151129536516350442006-06-24T16:09:00.000+10:002006-06-24T16:25:05.046+10:00Tour dates and venues

The Away national touring season:SBW Stables Theatre (Griffin Theatre Co), Sydney, Friday 16 June - Saturday 8 JulyGladstone Entertainment Centre, Wednesday 12 JulyPilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Saturday 15 JulyEmpire Theatre, Toowoomba, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 JulyTownsville Civic Theatre, Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 JulyCairns Civic Theatre, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 JulyDarwin Entertainment

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151127880510491222006-06-24T15:37:00.000+10:002006-06-24T16:23:22.200+10:00The reviews are in ...

.. and they are positive. In Spectrum in The Sydney Morning Herald today, Away is listed as one of the week's best. Bryce Hallet says the play is "truthful, funny and moving ... Gow's spare yet magical production features an excellent cast who get the balance of comedy and tragedy right".if you are interested in reading what the media has had to say about Away, follow the links to these articles

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151055919399582532006-06-23T19:43:00.000+10:002006-06-24T15:47:25.166+10:00An icon in the audience

The QTC reports that legendary American playwright Edward Albee (of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf and The Goat, Or Who is Sylvia? fame) was in the audience of Away at The Stables on Wednesday night. We don't know what his reaction was, but we do know that the Sydney season is almost sold out.

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1151055482233352812006-06-23T19:33:00.000+10:002006-06-23T19:39:03.580+10:00Amazing opening

Barbara Lowing, who plays the highly strung Gwen in Away, says opening night at The Stables theatre in Sydney's King Cross was a "bizarre" experience for the cast. "It was so amazing," she says. "It was the first time anyone can remember a standing ovation at the Stables... People just loved it. We were welcomed with opened arms. That's rare for Sydney - especially for Queensland actors."Barbara

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981308.post-1150799404457180422006-06-20T20:24:00.000+10:002006-06-24T15:55:24.776+10:00Up, up and Away

Actors Sue Dwyer and Georgina Symes, Sean Taylor and Jacki WeaverThe tour of QTC's Away has begun with the Sydney opening at production partner Griffin Theatre Company's Stables Theatre. Because the theatre can seat just 110 people, the opening was held over two nights last weekend. Guests included Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Robyn Nevin, Belvoir artistic director Neil Armfield,

Away tour blog teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12096492870142694974noreply@blogger.com0