La Boite Theatre presents their La Boite Encores program, a captivating play-reading series that revives ten iconic Australian favourites from the archives. The series opens next week on 28 April and runs to 1 July as part of their centenary year celebrations.
Like a book club for theatre lovers, over ten weeks for one night only each week, audiences will experience these much-loved works brought to life once more. This intimate series reunites original cast members and directors alongside emerging Brisbane talent. It offers a unique journey through La Boite’s rich history as Australia’s oldest continuously running professional theatre company.
Notably, four former La Boite Artistic Directors return to direct key works. The inclusion of Sue Rider, Sean Mee, David Berthold, and Todd MacDonald adds to the celebration of the company’s legacy.
Artistic Director and CEO Courtney Stewart said:
“La Boite Encores is a celebration of our rich artistic history. It’s a tribute to the trailblazing works that have shaped our company. This play reading series brings iconic productions back to the stage, inviting new audiences to experience the stories that have defined La Boite Theatre.
Revisiting these remarkable productions allows us to honour the artists, creatives, and communities who have contributed to our 100-year legacy. La Boite Encores is about reconnecting with the past while forging the future.”
The series opens with In Beauty It Is Finished by George Landen Dann. A play that sparked controversy long before its 1931 premiere, it features a groundbreaking portrayal of a relationship between a young white woman and an Aboriginal man. This powerful reading will be directed by proud Butchulla man Aidan Rowlingson and for the first time read by a First Nations cast.
Audiences can also look forward to Black Chicks Talking, written and directed by the formidable Leah Purcell. A bold exploration of First Nation Australian women’s stories, this production cemented La Boite’s position at the forefront of contemporary Australian theatre. Now, Purcell returns to direct a fresh presentation of this landmark work.
Throughout the series, audiences will rediscover a range of influential plays. These include: The Matilda Women, X-Stacy, and Zig Zag Street,The Narcissist, boy girl wall, Holding the Man, Prize Fighter and Single Asian Female.
Each play offers a unique snapshot of La Boite’s artistic evolution, making La Boite Encores a must-see for theatre lovers and newcomers alike.
La Boite Encores runs from 28 April to 1 July 2025 at La Boite Theatre, 6-8 Musk Avenue Kelvin Grove Qld 4059.
Tickets: https://laboite.com.au/epic-plays-from-the-archive
Website: https://laboite.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/laboitetheatre/
La Boite Encores Full Program Line-up:
Monday 28 April: In Beauty it is Finished, written by George Landen Dann, directed by Aidan Rowlingson
Tuesday 6 May: The Matilda Women, written and directed by Sue Rider
Monday 12 May: X-Stacy, written by Margery Forde, directed by Fraser Corfield
Monday 19 May: Black Chicks Talking, written and directed by Leah Purcell
Monday 26 May: Zig Zag Street, adapted by Phillip Dean from the book by Nick Earls, directed by Sean Mee
Monday 2 June: The Narcissist written by Stephen Carleton, directed by Playlab Theatre’s Ian Lawson
Monday 9 June: boy girl wall, written and directed by Matthew Ryan and Lucas Stibbard
Monday 16 June: Holding the Man adapted by Tommy Murphy from the book by Timothy Conigrave, directed by David Berthold
Monday 23 June: Prize Fighter written by Future D. Fidel, directed by Todd MacDonald
Tuesday 1 July: Single Asian Female written by Michelle Law, directed by Claire Christian
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