La Boite Encores: Playreading from the Archives

Celebrate La Boite Theatre’s 100-year history with La Boite Encores, a captivating play-reading series that revives 10 iconic Australian favourites from the archives of Australia’s oldest continuously running professional theatre company, from April 28 to June 2.

Over 10 weeks, for one night only each week, audiences will experience these much-loved works brought to life once more.

Like a book club for theatre lovers, this intimate series reunites original cast members and directors alongside emerging Brisbane talent, offering a unique journey through La Boite’s rich history.

Notably, four former La Boite Artistic Directors—Sue Rider, Sean Mee, David Berthold, and Todd MacDonald—return to direct key works, adding to the celebration of the company’s legacy.

The series opens on 28 April with In Beauty It Is Finished by George Landen Dann, a play that sparked controversy long before its 1931 premiere due to its candid language and groundbreaking portrayal of a relationship between a young white woman and an Aboriginal man. This powerful reading will be directed by proud Butchulla man Aidan Rowlingson and for the first time read by a First Nations cast.

Audiences can also look forward to Black Chicks Talking, written and directed by the formidable Leah Purcell. A bold exploration of First Nation Australian women’s stories, this production cemented La Boite’s position at the forefront of contemporary Australian theatre. Now, Purcell returns to direct a fresh presentation of this landmark work.

Throughout the series, audiences will rediscover a range of influential plays, from The Matilda Women, X-Stacy, and Zig Zag Street to The Narcissist, boy girl wall, and Holding the Man, as well as Prize Fighter and Single Asian Female.

Each play offers a unique snapshot of La Boite’s artistic evolution, making La Boite Encores a must-see for theatre lovers and newcomers alike. “Revisiting these remarkable productions allows us to honour the artists, creatives, and communities who have contributed to La Boite’s 100-year legacy. La Boite Encores is about reconnecting with the past while forging the future,” Courtney said.

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