This isn’t just any beach – it’s Magic Beach, where everything you can imagine becomes real. But this year is different.

As the eldest child begins to grow up, does she have to leave the magic behind?

The majestic and much-loved production Magic Beach returns to Brisbane after a sell-out season at Brisbane Powerhouse in November. It will play a strictly limited season at QUT Gardens Theatre from 7 April 2021.

From the team behind The Gruffalo and The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehouses, this new Australian adaptation from multi-award winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer is a celebration of the power of the imagination and the differences that make every child special.

This is the first of Alison Lester AM’s classic picture books to be adapted, and it comes to life on stage in a wonderful world of text, song, light, shadow and movement.

Lester has been delighting younger readers – and their parents – for more than 30 years with her beautiful, illustrated children’s picture books. She was the Children’s Laureate from 2011-2013 and was also one of the 5 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature that Australia Post featured on a Stamp.

Magic Beach
QUT Gardens Theatre
7 – 10 April 2021
www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au

This Tall Stories’ production is adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, published by Macmillan Children’s books and perfect to keep the little people entertained this summer.

The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick – until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick is not meant for five and – CRACK – the broom snaps in two!

When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

With songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up – and their grown-ups… this is one not to miss!

Room on the Broom
QUT Gardens Theatre
24 – 28 April 2021
www.gardenstheatre.qtix.com.au

FAST is an annual national theatre festival based in Brisbane. The festival collaborates with young artists from across the country, as well as including locals from Brisbane and interstate artists from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

With the festival in its fifth year, newly appointed Artistic Director Lucas Stibbard has introduced an entirely new structure for the event with a variety of pilot programs.

Stibbard said their initiative has generated a revitalised buzz for the festival. One of the pilot programs has seen FAST inviting secondary school students from Queensland Academy of Creative Industries and a secondary group from Toowoomba to perform their work in the festival.

“This year will be a new beginning for FAST, we have the largest festival yet, and it is three days of the festival with great shows, great conversations and a great atmosphere,” said Stibbard.

“I like to call it ‘Hogwarts for drama nerds’ – the place where the future of Australian Theatre come to meet minds, exchange ideas and share their work.”

Fast Festival 2014
3-5 October 2014
Queensland University of Technology’s Creative Industry Precinct
www.laboite.com.au