Australian Theatre Festival—2023 Season Review - AWNY
The 2023 Australian Theatre Festival in New York City has again proven to be a remarkable celebration of Australian talent and storytelling. In its fourth year, the festival continues to embody its ethos of supporting and amplifying Australian artists on a global stage.
The opening performance of Wavelength set the bar high, delivering a moving and powerful narrative that skillfully addressed the issue of consent. The festival’s diverse offerings, from film adaptations like Whitefella Yella Tree to the authentic Aussie experience of Barracking for the Umpire, offered a rich tapestry of Australian culture. BLUE showcased Thomas Weatherall’s standout talent, leaving the audience very moved by his remarkable New York debut. The festival’s grand finale, NYC Cabaret, was a resounding success, highlighting the exceptional musical prowess of Australian talent.
With its unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of community and showcasing the best of Australia, the Australian Theatre Festival NYC, led by Co-Artistic Directors Mark Barford, Connor Delves, and Jillian Geurts, continues to be a must-attend event for theater enthusiasts in the city.
Contributions by AWNY members Melanie Slade, BJ Jackson, and Zoe Weatherall.
Wednesday, November 15th | Wavelength
Photo Australian Theater Festival/Matt Davies
The festival opened with a sold-out performance of Wavelength. Written by Sally Alrich-Smythe and directed by Mark Barford, with cast members Connor Delves, Kathleen Simmonds, Alanah Allen, and Gareth Keegan, the show set the bar high for an incredible week of Australian performances.
In this reading of Wavelength, held in the heart of the Theatre District on 42nd St, parallel storylines intersected in the final moments of this moving, powerful, relatable story. Set at a graduation party and in a breakfast radio studio, the performers slipped seamlessly between characters and scenes, capturing the audience and taking them along every step. This clever and important play raised the issue of consent, and writer Sally Alrich-Smythe was a worthy recipient of the “New Play Award.” Hopefully, this is just the beginning for Wavelength as this story needs to be heard by more theatergoers.
Thursday November, 16th | Whitefella Yella Tree
Photo Credit: Australian Theatre Festival/ Matt Davies.
At the Dolby Screening room in Midtown we were treated to a film of a play from Australia called Whitefella Yella Tree. It was performed at the Griffin Stables Theatre in Sydney, an intimate theatre with a small stage. The filming was done at one performance, and although you felt like you were at the movies, it also felt like you were at a play. The set and costumes were simple and clearly helped to communicate the story.
The story is based around the late 1700s to early 1800s in Australia. Two teenage boys meet regularly to share stories of the new settlers with their mobs. Neddy is from the Mountain Mob, and Ty is from the River Mob. Young and joyous love develops, woven with the new settlers taking land and family members and changing their lives forever.
Produced by Australian Theatre Live, this is a digital platform with a large library of Australian theatre titles, including comedy, drama, opera, circus, music, independent theatre, and world premiere productions. Subscribing to Australian Theatre Live is only US$5 per month or US$49 per year.
After the film, a panel included the playwright Dylan Van Den Berg, producers from the Australian Theatre Live group Lucy Clements and Emma Wright, and the Artistic Director, Grant Dodwell.
Friday, November 18th | Barracking for the Umpire
Photo Credit: Australian Theatre Festival / Matt Davies.
As an AFL fan from Melbourne living in New York, this was the perfect performance to attend at this year’s Australian Theatre Festival. Barracking for the Umpire, written by Andrea Gibbs and directed by Genevieve Wilson was unapologetically Aussie, with touches of colloquialism not often heard on this side of the world. That and the authentic footy references made it a welcome experience of familiarity and nostalgia. It was a highly entertaining evening, with a wonderful cast that included Piera Calabro, Brenton Cosier, Matt Coleman, Jillian Geurts, Martin Grimwood, Maree Johnson and JD Martin, and the story focused on a Perth family where footy is somewhat of a religion. There were very funny moments and time spent delving into more serious subject matter like long-term injury, and sexual identity. Ultimately, this was a very entertaining 90 minutes about family and community and did not disappoint.
Saturday, November 19th | BLUE
Photo Credit: Australian Theatre Festival/Matt Davies
Thomas Weatherall’s standout talent was electrifying in BLUE, leaving not a dry eye in the house during the spectacular New York debut of his outstanding play. Known to audiences for his role in the reboot of Heartbreak High, Thomas broke out of the teen heartthrob mold to showcase an incredible talent as a playwright and undeniable star power as a principal actor. His relatable portrayal of Mark, coupled with his personal connection to mental health issues, added authenticity to the performance, making it a deeply moving and emotionally resonant experience for the audience. Weatherall’s journey as both a writer and performer is commendable for someone so young, and BLUE felt like a must-see for anyone seeking a heartfelt and thought-provoking theatrical production.
Saturday, November 19th | NYC Cabaret
All Photos: Australian Theatre Festival/Matt Davies
One of the final performances of the festival was the Cabaret, and there’s only one way to describe it: “Wow. Just WOW!” Held at the Green Room 42, the “Songs & Voices of Australia” was a fun, vibrant display of some of the best talent from Down Under. Music Director Isaac Hayward is a magician on the piano and took us all on a journey through the eras and across genres, from memorable cover hits to sparkling new originals. Hosts Connor Delves and Jennifer Reed dazzled from head to toe in talent, charisma, and humor. They did not miss a beat!
Every singer who stepped on stage that night brought something special and unique to the audience and those worldwide who tuned into the live stream. Amelia Cormack, Kim David Smith, Connor Delves, Kristen Plati, Matthew Lee Robinson, Sarah McLellan Mee, Mi-kaisha, Jennifer Reed, Chris Ryan, Adam Rennie, and Mitchell Winter. It was truly a smorgasbord of Aussie talent singing Aussie songs—it’s no wonder these musicians are being noticed in the big smoke.
It’s hard to narrow down any favorites as everyone was seriously talented, but Amelia Cormack singing an original from Australian composers Anna Jacobs and Carmel Dean literally blew the roof of the place. Other notable moments included the tear-jerker original from composer Matthew Lee Robinson, a soaring Silverchair cover from Adam Rennie, and a soulful ballad from Mi-kaisha.
