Performances across the Yarra Ranges

Lilydale Theatre Company are preparing to bring Cosi to the stage. Picture: ON FILE. 234335_15

By Peter Kemp

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre presents Cosi

It’s 1971 and outside on the streets, Australia is protesting the war in Vietnam. But inside a burned-out theatre, the resident patients of a mental asylum are listening to Mozart, learning their lines and occasionally skipping their medication.

Louis Nowra’s renowned Australian comedy finds light in the darkness and challenges our perceptions about love, madness, and humanity. A darkly funny and deeply moving ensemble piece, Cosi celebrates theatre and its power to transform lives.

Season: 18 August – 3 September

Bookings: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10am – 2pm on 9735 1777.

Burrinja Arts Upwey brings musical wonders

The Planets – Inventi/ensemble

Come on a journey to outer space with the Inventi Ensemble in this groundbreaking new arrangement of Holt’s The Planets by Glynn Davie, the ensemble takes this work to a whole new level through this virtuosic for just five players. In addition, this work is partnered by a new composition, From Inner Space by Australian composer Johannes Luebbers commissioned for this project.

Season: Saturday 27 August at 1.30pm.

Venue: Burrinja Theatre.

Peaceful Piano with Nat Bartsch and Luke Howard.

Luke Howard and Nat Bartsch are at the forefront of the growing neoclassical piano movement in Australia. Drawing from classical electronic, film, minimalism and jazz influences, their beautiful music has had a powerful impact on people from all walks of life, connecting with audiences worldwide and being streamed online over 50 million times!

For this special double bill tour, Luke and Nat will each perform a set of their music, joining forces at the end for a special collaboration that blurs the lines of composition and improvisation, acoustic and electronic.

Season: Sunday 28 August at 3pm.

Venue: Burrinja Theatre