Three Performing Lines Shows in Sydney Festival 2021

“Sunshine Super Girl explores connection to country and community, while taking an unflinching look at poverty, adversity and racism in Australia. The story is told with plenty of heart, humour, charm and skill.” – Bryan Andy in Witness.

Sydney Festival is returning 6 – 26 January 2021 with an all Australian line up and we here at Performing Lines are thrilled to be presenting three shows, Andrea James’ Sunshine Super Girl, Nathan Maynard and Jamie McCaskill’s Hide the Dog, and Paul Mac and Lachlan Philpott’s The Rise and Fall of Saint George. It is a privilege to be part of a program that so strongly features artists from our vibrant independent sector.

Sunshine Super Girl* has recently completed its world premiere at Griffith Regional Theatre as part of the Yarruwala Wiradjuri Cultural Festival. This watershed work celebrates the life and achievements of Australian sporting legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Written and directed by Yorta Yorta / Gunaikurnai theatre maker Andrea James, Sunshine Super Girl features an extraordinary First Nations cast lead by the exceptional Katie Beckett as Evonne. The show garnered resoundingly positive feedback from reviewers and audiences.

Sunshine Super Girl
Sydney Town Hall
8 – 17 Jan
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Hide the Dog** is the result of a trans-Tasman collaboration between lutruwita / Tasmanian playwright Nathan Maynard (palawa) and Aotearoa/NZ writer Jamie McCaskill (Māori). This world premiere production from Tasmania Performs, the Tasmanian arm of Performing Lines, is directed by Isaac Drandic (Noongar) on a spectacular set by Māori designer Jane Hakaraia.

The profound and playful work of children’s Indigenous theatre sees besties Niarra and Te Umuroa come upon a startling sight whilst playing in the bush. What first seems like just another day in paradise becomes the beginning of a grand adventure when they glimpse what can only be the world’s last Tasmanian Tiger. Dodging hunters, Niarra and Te Umuroa set sail for Aotearoa to hide their new friend. But hunters aren’t the only ones on this Tiger’s tail. They’ll have to outplay Māori gods and palawa spirits to save their furry friend.

Hide the Dog
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
13 – 17 Jan
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★ ★ ★ ★ “[A] rare work of communal catharsis, a memorial not so much to a gay celebrity but to a social movement.” – Tim Byrne for Time Out Melbourne

Earlier this year The Rise and Fall of Saint George*** took over Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall as part of Midsumma Festival, and now it’s back for one night only at the Barangaroo Headland. With lyrics written by one of Australia’s leading playwrights, Lachlan Philpott, and music by pop sensation Paul Mac, The Rise and Fall of Saint George is a celebration of the fluidity and audacity of Sydney’s queer community. Following the death of queer legend George Michael, Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour commissioned artist Scott Marsh to paint a mural on the side of their house of George draped in a rainbow stole, complete with a halo and a bottle of poppers. Following the historic ‘YES’ vote in 2017’s marriage equality plebiscite, the mural was destroyed by a Christian extremist, causing the community to rally in support of the artwork. With original songs and a choir of over 50 people, as well as a host of guest vocalists including Ngaiire, Brendan Maclean, HANDSOME and Andrew Bukenya, this show is at once iconic and iconoclastic.

The Rise and Fall of St George
Barangaroo Headland
15 Jan
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Due to social distancing restrictions tickets are strictly limited, so book yours today.

To see Sydney Festival’s full program click here.

*Sunshine Super Girl is produced by Performing Lines and has been supported by Production Co-commissioners: Melbourne Theatre Company; Griffith Regional Theatre; QPAC; Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre; Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre; Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre; Geelong Arts Centre; The Art House – Wyong; Capital Venues and Events; and Country Arts SA.

Sunshine Super Girl has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body; the NSW Government through Create NSW; the Seaborn Broughton & Walford Foundation; the Blake-Beckett Trust; Moogahlin Performing Arts; Playwriting Australia through its Playwrights Retreat Program; and the generous support of Performing Lines’ donors.

**Hide the Dog has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by Ten Days on the Island, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival and Rising Festival; the Tasmanian Government through Arts Tasmania.

Production Development supported by the delegates of the 2017 PAC Australia conference, Ilbijerri Theatre, Taki Rua, Tim Minchin, Creative NZ, Terrapin, The Australia Council, Arts Centre Melbourne, Capital E Children’s Theatre NZ, QPAC, Bryony Anderson and the Regional Arts Fund.

*** Produced by Performing Lines. The Rise and Fall of Saint George is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, the New South Wales Government through Create NSW and was originally supported by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation.