First program announced for 2021
The first drop of shows for our 2021 season are on sale this week, featuring four shows that explore what it means to be a part of a family expressed through the unique visions, voices and imaginations of our Western Australian artistic talent.
In the First Nations family drama, Kangaroo Stew, allegiances are tested when a son returns home to approve a new mine site on his family’s Sacred Ground. Siblings fight to survive an apocalyptic summer holiday in The Summer Of Our Lives, an ET inspired musical comedy complete with an addictive 80’s pop score. MoR celebrates migrant motherhood with storytelling, spoken word, poetry and science experiments, encircling audiences in a loving embrace. And finally, Ugly Virgins is about the family we choose as five women come together on a roller derby rink to skate circles around shit dates, self-worth and sticking it to the man.
“This 2021 season is a true celebration of storytelling, family, and the resilience of the live performance industry. Showcasing the talent of WA artists, this program delivers stories in spades—First Nations stories; female stories; migrant stories; stories about the fight to challenge and change. We are so excited to welcome back audiences who were so desperately missed,” said Program Manager Harriet Roberts.
Performances begin from Tuesday 27 April coinciding with the unveiling of The Blue Room Theatre’s new bar, currently undergoing upgrades, making the glass of bubbles at opening night all the more special.
It’s special too, when you think about what these productions have been through since first being programmed for presentation in 2020—and like much of last year—were subsequently postponed.
“The Blue Room Theatre’s 2021 program is a rare and considered combination of disciplines, thematic explorations, and experiments with form. It brings together some of Perth’s most talented emerging artists with the freedom and resources to be daring and bold and brilliant. It’s a unique offering to hardworking independent artists, and it creates unique experiences for Perth’s audiences. After sitting patiently on the backburner we’re stoked to get back on stage, although the additional development time became something of an unexpected gift; in the case of Ugly Virgins, our actors have spent so long in roller derby bootcamp they’ll be professional skaters by opening night. Bring it on.” Said Liz Newell, producer of this season’s Ugly Virgins.
The Blue Room Theatre continues to showcase Western Australia’s uniquely bustling independent theatre scene, bringing you what’s new in theatre and live performance. In 2021, programs will be released and celebrated in smaller drops of shows as we look to change up programming and audience engagement. Stay tuned for future program announcements!
Image credit: Bruce Denny from Kangaroo Stew by Duncan Wright.