Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby

22/09/2024

✨🎭 Don’t Miss the World Premiere of The Chronicles of Eldershaw! 🎭✨

Join us on Thursday, October 10, as we unveil this stunning adaptation of Stephen Edgar's acclaimed verse novel, adapted for stage by Gregory Aitken! Set in the vibrant bohemian scene of Hobart during the 1940s and 50s, this captivating story follows Helen on her journey to self-discovery.

🌟 Directed by Kate Horsley and featuring a brilliant cast:

Avia Sebasio-Ong as Younger Helen
Linda Rutledge as Older Helen
Russell Eldridge as Martin
Cate Feldmann as Vi, Maddalena
Yasir Assam as Wil Gaudry
Leonie Mills as Possum, Grandpa, Skipper, and more
Steve Richards as Possum, Lex, Chris Cross QC, and more
Hielrick Fidele d’Amour as Oedipus Actor, Party Boy, Sasha
Gregory Aitken as Luke
All photos courtesy of our Stage Manager extraordinaire Cathy McDouall!

🍾 Enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival!
📚 Join us for a special Q&A with Stephen Edgar on Sunday, October 13!
🎉 Locals Night: Enjoy Wandana’s brews for just $6 on Friday!

✨ Experience the magic in our newly renovated, state-of-the-art Drill Hall Theatre. Get your tickets now at drillhalltheatre.org.au! 💖

17/09/2024

Just 23 days to the Gala Opening of the Chronicles of Eldershaw. Tickets available now at https://drillhalltheatre.org.au/the-eldershaw-chronicles

Written by renowned Australian writer Stephen Edgar (the recipient of the PM’s Award for Poetry in 2021) and adapted for the stage by Gregory Aitken, the Chronicles of Eldershaw charts the journey of a free-spirited woman, Helen, shrugging off traditional values in 1940s/50s Hobart. Performed by a superb cast of nine actors and directed by the experienced Kate Horsley, Helen is played by two of the region’s finest actors, Avia Sebasio-Ong as Younger Helen and Linda Rutledge as Older Helen.

The Eldershaw project began in 2014 when Gregory Aitken asked Stephen Edgar whether he could adapt his prize-winning verse novel to the stage. With a workshop performance in 2021, followed by another two workshops in February this year, two different casts have worked on the script together with the adaptor and the poet. It’s now ready for the stage. Make sure you don’t miss this unique performance.

Opening Thursday 10th October for 9 performances. Final night Sunday 20th October. Tickets $30/$36 with a Thursday Special Night on 17th October for just $21. Wednesday 9th October is a preview and fundraiser for Northern Rivers for Refugees. Tickets $30

For more information visit https://drillhalltheatre.org.au

05/09/2024

Last chance to get your tickets to see Mark Swivel's new show 'Mum' at the Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby this Fri 6 & Sat 7 September at 7:30pm.

The performer and writer Mark Swivel is taking his new show, Mum, to the Sydney Fringe in September. However, before then, Byron Shire audiences can enjoy the show with two special performances at the Drill Hall, Mullumbimby.

Mark Swivel describes his show, Mum, as “a funny, raw and tender story. A man in his 50’s, speaks to his mother, who died 20 years ago. He conjures her life, and reckons with her mysteries.”

The proceeds from Mum’s Drill Hall shows, (tickets are $20) are going towards the production costs for The Chronicles of Eldershaw, 10 - 20 October, also at the Drill Hall.

Photograph featuring Mark Swivel, Kate Horsley, director of The Chronicles of Eldershaw and Greg Aitken who adapted Stephen Edgar’s verse novel, Eldershaw, to the stage.

'Mum' funds Eldershaw at the Drill Hall - 7.30pm Fri & Sat 6 & 7 September

The performer and writer Mark Swivel is taking his new show, Mum, to the Sydney Fringe in September. However, before then, Byron Shire audiences can enjoy the show with two special performances at the Drill Hall, Mullumbimby.

Mark Swivel describes his show, Mum, as “a funny, raw and tender story. A man in his 50’s, speaks to his mother, who died 20 years ago. He conjures her life, and reckons with her mysteries.”

The proceeds from Mum’s Drill Hall shows, (tickets are $20) are going towards the production costs for The Chronicles of Eldershaw, 10 - 20 October, also at the Drill Hall.

Photograph featuring Mark Swivel, Kate Horsley, director of The Chronicles of Eldershaw and Greg Aitken who adapted Stephen Edgar’s verse novel, Eldershaw, to the stage.

Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1256397

05/09/2024

We are excited to be hosting the Northern Rivers Dance & Physical Theatre: CATCH UP at the Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby
Hosted by Arts Northern Rivers and (TNA) the CATCH UP is a response to the Independent Dance Sector Report (2024) and one of the ANR Dance Sector Uplift Report’s key recommendations of a convergence aimed at addressing isolation and detachment, strengthening relationships, revitalising, and reactivating the sector.
Facilitated by Joshua Lowe and Steph Speirs from TNA, the CATCH UP will share some of the findings and recommendations from both reports giving an insight into the current challenges and opportunities.
Tuesday 1 October, 1.30pm - 4pm
Drill Hall Theatre - Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Free event
Please register here: https://events.humanitix.com/catch-up
Images by Kate Holmes Photograher from PRACTICE AND PLAY - a Northern Rivers dance initiative

28/08/2024

Join us for a night of laughter at The Drill Hall Theatre this Saturday nighty! Get ready for a hilarious double feature of long-form improv comedy with Blah Blah Blah Improv. Laugh until your sides hurt as our talented improv comedians create scenes and characters on the spot based on your suggestions. It's a night full of unexpected twists, outrageous characters, and non-stop laughter. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind comedy experience!

Act 1: Small Town Council

You’re invited to a rare town hall meeting! Start scrolling through your Facebook neighbourhood community group and watch the posts you submit hilariously come to life in a comedic twist!

Act 2: Improv Shorts—If you like the hit TV show ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’, you’ll love this style of improvised comedy even more in person! With your suggestions, our talented improvisers create hilarious, unscripted sketches!

Get your tickets for this family-friendly show and get ready for a night of laughter!

**Bring cash for the bar**

Doors 6:00 pm. Show starts at 6:30 pm

Get ready for a night of hilarious improv comedy with two back-to-back shows by Blah Blah Blah Improv - it's gonna be a riot!

22/08/2024

'Mum' funds Eldershaw at the Drill Hall - 7.30pm Fri & Sat 6 & 7 September

The performer and writer Mark Swivel is taking his new show, Mum, to the Sydney Fringe in September. However, before then, Byron Shire audiences can enjoy the show with two special performances at the Drill Hall, Mullumbimby.

Mark Swivel describes his show, Mum, as “a funny, raw and tender story. A man in his 50’s, speaks to his mother, who died 20 years ago. He conjures her life, and reckons with her mysteries.”

The proceeds from Mum’s Drill Hall shows, (tickets are $20) are going towards the production costs for The Chronicles of Eldershaw, 10 - 20 October, also at the Drill Hall.

Photograph featuring Mark Swivel, Kate Horsley, director of The Chronicles of Eldershaw and Greg Aitken who adapted Stephen Edgar’s verse novel, Eldershaw, to the stage.

Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1256397

26/06/2024

Auditions now open for the next Drill Hall Theatre production - The Chronicles of Eldershaw

- by the award winning poet, Stephen Edgar -
- adapted for the stage by Gregory Aitken -
- directed by Kate Horsley -

Auditioning for an actor / musician who can play the role of Larry Baxter, a 30 - 40ish waterside worker. Larry is besotted by the character of Helen. His scenes are set in 1943 and 1951

To audition contact Greg Aitken 0421 984 024 or [email protected]

The Chronicles of Eldershaw is an enigmatic theatre experience a
dreamscape, an ethereal realm where time and space lose their rigidity. Adolescent Helen embraces the sensual nature of the Tasmanian forest. She challenges the conformity of marriage and family to live a bohemian life in Hobart of the 1950’s. Helen discovers her freedom on a windy headland in Greece in 1963.

The production will play at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby
10-13 & 17-20 October

The cast includes:
Linda Rutledge, Avia Sebasio-Ong, Russell Eldridge, Cate Feldmann, Gregory Aitken, Leonie Mills, Hielrick Fidele d’Amour, Yasir Assam, Ric Steve Richards

30/05/2024

Opening tonight don't miss Secret Bridesmaids Business. To book tickets click on this link https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1212745?

25/05/2024

Secret Bridesmaids Business Opening this week at the Drill Hall. Click on this link to book your tickets today. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1212745?

20/05/2024

Have you booked your tickets for Secret Bridesmaids Business? Click on this link to book your tickets today. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1212745?

05/05/2024

This week we will host Mark Swivel in conversation with Damon Gameau at the Drill Hall. This is the first of 8 Wednesday evenings of conversation run by the Byron Community College in May and June. For more details click on the link below.

May 8 - Breaking the Glass. With Damon Gameau.
May 15 - Money Matters. With Colleen Ryan.
May 22 - Consent Withheld. With David Heilpern.
May 29 - Green Futures. With Belinda Kinkead.
June 5 - Freeing the Mind. With Micha Lerner.
June 12 - The Yartz. With Lindy Lee.
June 19 - Fair Go. Social Democracy & Housing. With Brandon Saul & Tracey Mackie.
June 26 - Too Soon? The Contested History of Australia. With Julianne Schultz & Belle Budden.

Runs 6-8pm in Mullum (Drill Hall or The College). Tix $30. Conc $20 per session. For more info contact the College. Thank you to special guests & The College for making this happen.

https://byroncollege.org.au/course-category/conversations-with-mark-swivel/

30/04/2024

Due to medical reasons, we have had to postpone the entire season of Ghosting the Party until later this year.

All ticket holders have been refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank all patrons for their ongoing support of the Drill Hall Theatre Company.

28/04/2024

An extraordinary amount of work goes into to a production, especially behind the scenes. We are eternally grateful that one of the pillars of the Drill Hall Theatre Company, Cathy McDouall, is joining us on Ghosting the Party as Assistant Stage Manager.

Cathy has been a part of the Drill Hall Theatre family since arriving in the Northern Rivers nine years ago. She has been on the production teams for almost every Drill Hall Theatre production since then, as well as performing in, and contributing to numerous Members’ events. She was production assistant, assistant stage manager and an extra for 'The Incorruptible' (2017), ASM for 'Do Not Go Gentle' (2017) and assistant director for 'The Same Page' (Hot Shorts 2017). She was production assistant and ASM for 'Mark Colvin’s Kidney' (2018) and throughout the tumultuous COVID 19 and flood periods, she stage managed on 'S**T', 'Switzerland' and 'Mr Bailey’s Minder'. Cathy was stage manager and artistic eye for 'When the Rain Stops Falling' (2023) and ASM for 'The Almighty Sometimes' (2023). Cathy is very proud to come on board as assistant stage manager and a member of the wonderful company of 'Ghosting the Party'.

Tickets are selling quickly, please get them while you can: https://www.trybooking.com/CPPQN

25/04/2024

Next week we open this exceptional work at the Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby and we'd love to see as many of you theatre lovers there as possible. Please read the article about Ghosting the Party in this week's Echo and then book your ticket. Tickets are selling quickly, so best to get in early: https://drillhalltheatre.org.au/ghosting-the-party/

This sharply intelligent play written by internationally renowned Australian writer Melissa Bubnic premiered at the Griffin Theatre in 2022. “Bubnic’s writing is poetic and punchy in this pitch-black comedy. At rehearsals we have been moved to tears with laughter and love for the recognisable situations that these three feisty, independent women find themselves,” says Chance.

To read more in the Echo article click here: https://www.echo.net.au/2024/04/347583/

25/04/2024

The Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby is thrilled to welcome Gabby Le Brun performing the role of Dot in 'Ghosting the Party'. She joined the Drill Hall Theatre Company in 2023 as Assistant Director for 'The Almighty Sometimes'.

Gabby started her theatre training aged 8 with Merilyn Brend’s Children’s Theatre in Melbourne. Her theatre credits include Edith in Pirates of Penzance, Mrs Drudge in The Real Inspector Hound, Witch in Macbeth, Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Miranda in The Tempest and Mrs Luce in Little Shop of Horrors.

She has appeared in several television dramas including Neighbours, Love My Way, Prime Time, and My Brother Tom, and was a back-up singer for Kylie Mole in The Comedy Company on her ‘I Go’ music video.

Gabby completed a Masters of Creative Industries in Drama at QUT (2004-2005) majoring in Contemporary Performance under the mentorship of Donna Jackson (Hub Cap productions).

More recently, she has performed in dance theatre at Woodford Folk Festival, Bello Winter Music, Mullum Music Festival, Brunswick Picture House, Splendour in the Grass, Earth Frequency, She-Cabaret, and BanGala Cabaret.

If you'd like to see Gabby along with our other wonderful cast members in 'Ghosting the Party' from May 2-19 book here: https://drillhalltheatre.org.au/ghosting-the-party/

21/04/2024

The Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby welcomes back the delightful Rachael Gorham to the stage, who was nominated for a Gold Palm Theatre Award for her emotive portrayal of Renee in 'The Almighty Sometimes' last year.

Rachael trained at The Actor's Centre, Sydney. She has appeared in a variety of Australian television dramas, comedies including 'Love My Way', 'All Saints', 'Home and Away' and 'Comedy Inc'. She has performed on stage for New Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Sydney Fringe Festival and the Murwillumbah Theatre Company. Rachael is a high school English and Drama teacher is delighted to be working with the Drill Hall Theatre.

If you'd like to see Rachael playing the vivacious Montréalité Rita in 'Ghosting the Party' then book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPPQN

19/04/2024

The cast and crew of 'Ghosting the Party' are all exceptional, and when you come to see the show, you will agree...

The first of our wonderful cast that we'd like to introduce is Sonia Borenstein as Grace...

Sonia trained for three years at the Independent Theatre Drama School in North Sydney where she won the Letty Creyton cup for character acting - the first time it had been one by a first-year student.

She cut her teeth on pantomimes at the Independent theatre, appearing in Kenneth Cook's play and film Stockade. Alongside her husband Michael Borenstein, she formed experimental theatre ATAC - Alternative Theatre Actors Cooperative at Stanley Palmers Cultural Centre in Sydney’s notorious Kings Cross.

Sonia and Michael moved to the North Coast in 1978 and started Federal Theatre Company where they entertained the locals for over 8 years. Sonia starred in The Real Inspector Hound, After Magritte and Chamber Music among others with Federal Theatre. Sonia has also written and performed in many comedic skits, her highlight was playing Sri Prema Arunda Ananda Come-Assunder in Karma Suit Yourself.

Sonia has been involved with Drill Hall Theatre for over twenty years and appeared in: All I know I learned in Kindergarten, Competitive Tenderness, Pig Iron people, two monologues directed by her late husband Michael and more recently a poetry reading - Women Beyond Time directed by Avia Sebastio-Ong.

Her first love is comedy and she enjoys nothing more than making people laugh. Theatre that is deep and meaningful, yet witty and comedic is her idea of a good time.

Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPPQN

16/04/2024

Melissa Bubnic's "Ghosting the Party" directed by Liz Chance is not to be missed! This is a truly Australian take on a universal theme. It deals head-on with a topic we spend most of our lives managing to avoid thinking about, let alone dealing with, death. This play pulls no punches but facing the Grim Reaper has never been so funny. May 2-19 at the Drill Hall Theatre Mullumbimby Thu-Sat at 7.30pm and Sundays at 5pm. Book now https://www.trybooking.com/CPPQN

28/03/2024

https://byroncollege.org.au/course-category/conversations-with-mark-swivel/

Join Mark Swivel and special guests for captivating discussions on these current hot topics.

20/03/2024

This weekend at the Drill Hall Theatre come to see a rehearsed reading of 'Escaped Alone' by Caryl Churchill on Sat at 5pm and Sun at 6pm.

A fabulous cast directed by Susan Melhuish, with music by Alan Hughes featuring: Lorrie Cruikshank, Susan Hayward, Georgia Martin and Brenda Shero.

Tickets only $10 available on the door and here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1195171

16/03/2024

The Drill Hall Theatre Company in Mullumbimby is offering two creative development opportunities at the Drill Hall Theatre for independent artists in the Region to explore and develop performance ideas in the genres of theatre and /or physical theatre.

Recipients will receive $4500 cash, access to the Drill Hall Theatre for rehearsal and public sharing, creative and promotional mentoring, and the potential to co-produce a season of their completed work in the future with the Drill Hall Theatre Company (DHTC).

Applications are now open and close at 5.00pm on April 15. TO APPLY VISIT: https://drillhalltheatre.org.au/creative-development-scholarships/

This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

09/03/2024

THIS WEEKEND! ‘The Eldershaw Chronicles’ performance with script in hand is on tonight (Sat 9) @ 7.30pm and tomorrow Sun 10 @ 6pm. An amazing night of theatre with an accomplished cast andspecial appearance from Stephen Edgar!

Tickets are only $10 here and on the door: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1155764

The Eldershaw Chronicles is an intricate, multi-layered story of love that spans sixty years - 1941- 2002. This new work for the stage is adapted from Stephen Edgar’s narrative verse novel, Eldershaw. Stephen Edgar was the recipient of 2021 Prime Minister’s Award for Poetry.

The DHTC gratefully acknowledges the support of Regional Arts NSW for the development of this project.