Brown's Mart

29/01/2025

Stage Whispers Writer Geoffrey Williams asks "Are you a ‘prepper’ or a ‘fatalist’? Or a combination of both?" during his interview about the upcoming premiere of The Nestmakers by Betty Sweetlove

25/01/2025

As we enter a New Era, Brown’s Mart acknowledges that we are positioned on and work on Gulumerridjin Larrakia land in Garramilla | Darwin and that this has always been, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

We acknowledge the Larrakia people as the Custodians of this Country and pay our deepest respects to you, your Elders, Ancestors, children and young people; and to all First Nations people in our community. Your ongoing creativity and connection to country contributes to a stronger arts industry that we all benefit from and are extremely proud of. We commit to honouring your stories and to holding space for truth-telling and healing as Reflecting Culture is a vital component of what we do.

We also acknowledge that the 26th of January is a day of mourning and a day of celebration of survival for First Nations people, a large proportion of whom live in the Northern Territory, whose cultural and artistic practices, stories, songs and dances date thousands of years before the landing of the First Fleet and the establishment of Australia. We recognise the role that we play in ensuring that First Peoples and their communities are thriving, not just surviving.

17/01/2025

Following the 2024 cancellation, this play reading is finally returning to the Brown’s Mart stage for one night only.

A long overdue re-visit to a play first performed in 1993, Gary Lee’s Keep Him My Heart. Gary’s niece, Cyan, will host a reading and remembering of this Larrakia-Filipino love story, with live music, images and stories from the original production.

16/01/2025

Who decides who survives the end of the world?

A luxurious bunker complex, sometime in the near future. A fragmented group of colleagues work together to sell a prepper paradise in the middle of the desert. As business unravels and their carefully tailored existence falls apart, they each reveal their personal strategies for survival.

An original and funny play which deep-dives into prepping, climate justice, connection to land and the ethics of survival, The Nestmakers is the first play from Mparntwe-based playwright Betty Sweetlove, and is directed by a Darwin theatre audience favourite, Gail Evans.

4-15 March 2025
Brown's Mart Theatre, 12 Smith Street

13/01/2025

With more exciting announcements to come, here's a an introduction to some of the ways you can engage with Brown's Mart as a creative - no matter your background.

17/12/2024

Brown’s Mart is thrilled to announce our new company appointments 🥁

Elizabeth Rogers and Yvette Walker come to us in the roles of Co-Chief Executive Officers: Yvette as Artistic Director and Elizabeth as General Manager. Also joining the team is Josh Grant as Technical Manager.

Chair of the Board, Hamish McDonald says of the appointments, “We are beyond thrilled to be able to implement such a talented leadership team at Brown’s Mart moving into our New Era. Originally advertising for the roles of General Manager and Creative Producer, we as a Board were really compelled to relook at our structure. When talents like Yvette Walker and Elizabeth Rogers walk in the room, you simply cannot let that opportunity go. Between them we have the breadth of local, national and international arts industry experience that will strengthen our organisation, our programs & productions, and the entire Larrakia and Territorian arts and culture community and sector.”

Meet our new team members by checking out our website under ‘About’ or Announcements under ‘What’s On’.

10/12/2024

🌀 Rehearsals and theatre workshops were held in the Mart from early 1972 and members of the Apex Club and the Arts Council helped to prepare it for the first public performance. In November 1972, architect Peter Dermoudy, subsequently a Chair of the Trust, was commissioned to design a new theatre layout and administration block. Stage one of the administration building had just been completed with the much-appreciated air-conditioning, when Cyclone Tracy hit in 1974.

In January 1976, the Darwin Reconstruction Commission set funds aside for protective work on historic buildings including Brown’s Mart, and the Mart received a National Estate grant towards its restoration. The first production in the restored theatre took place in July 1976. Darwin Theatre Group’s (now Darwin Theatre Company) r***e ‘No Show’, detailed the revival of a fictional amateur theatre company following the near destruction of its theatre despite the bureaucratic aftermath of disaster!

This month, we send our condolences and respect to all affected by Cyclone Tracey and those who helped rebuild our City after the destruction. We are extremely grateful to everyone who fought to save Brown's Mart during such difficult times.

06/12/2024

By applying to Darwin Fringe Festival you can perform at Brown's Mart at reduced costs.

Use their Hub Application form to apply for one of our venues.

You can get in touch with their team to find out more.

Hub applications close midnight Sunday January 5th.

IMAGE thanks to Paz Tassone, 2016

04/12/2024

It's always great to have work from different Playwrights featured on stage, and Emma Wood Plays 'A Hit & Miss Chrismtas' is no exception.

The Darwin Theatre Company directed by Mischief Company have done a wonderful job of being creative with their production and use of physicality to bring this work to life. Assuring that this isn't just another typical Christmas work there are themes of tradition, community and so much more.

There's only 3 more nights left to see it.

MEET THE WRITER - A HT AND MISS CHRISTMAS

EMMA WOOD

Emma is an award winning Australian playwright.
With a determination to write stories both entertaining and thought-provoking, Emma’s plays have been widely acclaimed by audiences and critics around the world.

Emma's ability to create passionate, substantial roles of all ages delights actors and audiences. Her full-length plays are very different but have common threads: engaging characters, sparkling dialogue, and a satisfying story to tell.

Emma has become known for writing plays that feature challenging, dynamic lead roles for middle aged and older women and narratives exploring issues that affect them.

Emma’s work has been produced by professional and community theatre companies in the UK, Australia, USA and Asia. Her most recent play, Piece of Mind, premiered in L.A. with Write Act Repertory, receiving rave reviews. Her perfectly pitched prequel to Pride and Prejudice, Mr Bennet's Bride, has garnered wide acclaim and full houses in 10 productions to date.

Emma is delighted to bring some Christmas cheer to Darwin this year and will be with you in spirit all the way from Melbourne!

A Hit and Miss Christmas is on Brown's Mart from 4-7 Dec at 7pm.

Emma Wood Plays
emmawoodplays.au

Mischief Company taiNTed Theatre Company Shalom Kaa Pip O'Shea Off the Leash The NT News ABC Darwin Darwin Musical Theatre Darwin Artists Darwin Community Arts Big Dog Salad

02/12/2024

Check out what the audience is saying about A Hit and Miss Christmas!! With only 4 shows left, tickets are selling fast, book now to avoid missing out!

A Hit And Miss Christmas is on 4-7 Dec at 7pm Brown's Mart

Ticket link in comments

Mischief Company taiNTed Theatre Company Shalom Kaa Pip O'Shea ABC Darwin The NT News Off The Leash

01/12/2024

Brown's Mart is closed for Venue Maintenance starting Monday 16 December and will reopen Monday 20 January. This means that we are not open to the public and are not taking bookings.

The office will be officially closed from Monday 23 December and staff will return to check emails and phones from Monday 6 January.

🌩️🦀🐸 Balnba is the season of the first rains. Electrical storms create a shocking brilliance and charge the night skies. Shellfish, like mud crab, are abundant and the rain fosters the germination and fruiting of many plants. The Gulppula or Green Tree Frogs deafen conversation and call to the world that the big rains are coming.

26/11/2024

A performer from the 2018 Production 'Smoke Social', Stevie Jean, now has acting credits for The Deb - the first ever movie directed by Rebel Wilson.

Huge shoutout to Stevie for being a part of such a major project 👏🏻

How great is it when you see NT artists on stage or screen? ⭐

21/11/2024

🎄🥭 Gather your work mates, friends and family for 'A Hit and Miss Christmas' from this Wednesday.

Presented by Darwin Theatre Company find out if they will stick with the beloved classic, or dare to take a fresh approach?

Meet some of the other creatives who are involved:
🔸 Cat Hart as Charles (They/Them)
🔸 Pip O'Shea as Jax (They/Them)
🔸 David Lloyd from Mischief Company is the Director

18/11/2024

🎭✨ Get ready to step into a world of chaos, creativity, and festive fun with A Hit and Miss Christmas!🎄

For years, a traditional theatre company has delighted audiences with its classic rendition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol — until now. Enter a new director with a vision for something fresh and modern. What happens when tradition clashes with innovation? Expect the unexpected!

This production is a whirlwind of vibrant singing and music, high-energy choreography, and a cast that delivers pure theatre magic.

Will the new director’s bold ideas succeed, or will they completely throw the holiday spirit off course? Only one way to find out! 🎶🎉

Get your tickets NOW and join us for a holiday production like no other! 🎟️ Ticket link in comments

🗓️ Show Dates: 27 - 30 Nov & 4-7 Dec 2024
📍 Location: Browns Mart theatre



Brown's Mart Mischief Company taiNTed Theatre Company Shalom Kaa Pip O'Shea

14/11/2024

Check it out online from 9am ACST Friday 22 November 👀 Physical programs can be found on site and distributed to select locations around town.

14/11/2024

Congratulations to all nominees and finalists for the NT Performing Art Awards 👏🏻 What a vibrant Creative industry we have 🤩

12/11/2024

🎄🥭 'A Hit & Miss Christmas' by Darwin Theatre Company will be filling the Theatre with seasonal cheer from Wednesday 27 November.

Meet some of the cast:
🔸 Isaac Gresham as Tom (He/Him)
🔸 Neža Strenčan as Carol (She/Her)
🔸 Shalom Kaa as Walter (He/Him)
🔸 Jules Gabor as Ash (She/Her)
🔸 Ktima Heathcote as Dawn (She/Her)

Most announcements to come ⭐

10/11/2024

Round of applause for PHLthebeat after performing their first ever full length show in the Theatre last week 👏🏼