16 February 2006
The Alexander Theatre at Monash University 's Clayton campus will host an impressive list of productions in drama, comedy, dance, music and Shakespeare in 2006.
Among the highlights will be the Chunky Move dance company's production of I Want to Dance Better at Parties on 22 September and the return season of TaikOz, featuring the power of the traditional Japanese taiko drums.
The Director of the Monash University Arts Centres, Ms Jan Clancy, said the 2006 season was designed to give the local community access to diverse Australian performances.
"These are strong, critically-acclaimed productions featuring some of Australia's leading actors and performers," Ms Clancy said. "We hope to provide something for everyone and the demand for tickets is already reflecting this.
"TaikOz is back at Monash following a sell-out season at the Alexander Theatre in 2004, and, of course, I Want to Dance Better at Parties is fresh from a sell-out season at the 2005 Melbourne Festival."
The 2006 season starts on 5 May with Mr Bailey's Minder by award-winning Australian playwright and author Debra Oswald.
The play depicts the relationship between Therese, not long out of prison, who takes up a position as the carer of Leo Bailey, 'Australia's greatest living artist', following a succession of others who could not stand Leo's vicious tongue and wild antics.
"This is a wildly funny and wonderfully entertaining new Australian play that will engage its audiences as they witness the forging of an odd and enduring friendship," Ms Clancy said.
Other productions include Why Kids? written and performed by Henri Szeps, and Bell Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice , directed by Anna Volska and featuring Robert Alexander as Shylock and Michelle Doake as Portia.
School holiday productions include Who Sank the Boat? written by multi-award-winning children's writer Pamela Allen, and Hidden Dragons, written by Shirley Van Sanden, which explores Australian/Asian life from a child's perspective.
Special subscription packages for evening performances, as well as discounted and concession tickets are currently on sale. Matinees are priced at a flat rate of $25.
For bookings or information visit the Monash University Arts Centres website or telephone +61 3 9905 1111.
For further information contact Ms Wendy West on telephone +61 3 9905 1683 or Ms Karen Stichtenoth in Media Communications on +61 3 9905 1253 or mobile 0408 812 301.
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