Imagination to underpin 90th birthday season

Newcastle's iconic Civic Theatre will celebrate its 90th birthday year with a season of live performances designed to spark imagination and with even more benefits for subscribers, including free parking at Civic West car park and discounts.

Season 2019 offers a thrilling mixture of dance, drama, comedy, physical theatre, puppetry and storytelling. Old favourites such as Bell Shakespeare and the Sydney and Melbourne Comedy Festivals are back, complemented by exciting new works from local and major Australian performing arts companies.

Above, Elixir: Katie Noonan & Leunig in Gratitude and Grief

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle is fortunate to be home to such a magnificent historic theatre offering a diverse and compelling program of high quality productions.

"Civic Theatre welcomes more than 130,000 people every year to shows from all over Australia, and world-wide. Over its lifetime - from its early days as a cinema to the hub of live performance it is today – this beautiful theatre has entertained and inspired generations of Novocastrians and visitors.

"The tradition continues in Season 2019 with some of the great names in Australian culture, including Katie Noonan and Michael Leunig in Gratitude and Grief, and Jonathan Biggins bringing Paul Keating to life in his one-man show The Gospel According to Paul. Add children's shows, original local productions, dance and Shakespearean drama and you have a season fitting for our 90-year-old dame."

At left, Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating in The Gospel According to Paul

Season 2019 not only has a diverse range of quality live performances, but also offers some fantastic benefits for subscribers.

"This year we are offering subscribers free parking in the Civic West Parking Station thanks to the generous support of Hunter Parking and Storage," said the City's Civic Services Manager Delia O'Hara.

"This means subscribers can easily plan their trip with the parking station only a short walk from the theatre.

"Subscribers also receive discounted tickets when they buy four or more shows, plus discounted drinks, flexible payment options and bonus Subscriber events. With 14 outstanding productions, there are lots of great reasons to subscribe in 2019."

Interested in enjoying great savings and benefits as a Season 2019 Subscriber? Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or phone Civic Ticketek on 02 4929 1977.

Civic Theatre Season 2019

Productions and Dates

Thur 7 Mar, 8pm The Gospel According to Paul Soft Tread Enterprises
Fri 15 Mar, 8pm Elixir: Katie Noonan & Leunig The Harbour Agency
Fri 22 Mar, 8pm I Want to Know What Love Is Critical Stages/Good Room
10-13 April Howie the Rookie Redline Productions
Thur 23 May, 7.30pm Sydney Symphony Orchestra Sydney Symphony Orchestra
29 May-1 Jun Goori Dooki Ngarrama
7-9 June Melbourne Int Comedy Fest R/s MICFR
25-26 June Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts shake & stir theatre co
31 Jul -2 Aug The Twits Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
27-28 Aug Possum Magic Monkey Baa Theatre Company
Fri 13 Sept Peepshow CIRCA
Thur 3 Oct Much Ado About Nothing Bell Shakespeare
Sat 5 Oct Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Sydney Comedy Festival
15-23 Nov Salvador Dali Stray Dogs Theatre Co

Hallucinogenic Toreador