Ushering in a new era for one of Brisbane’s longest running theatre companies, Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe is about to welcome a new Artistic Director.  On the 23rd April, Dr Bryan Nason, company founder and Artistic Director for over 40 years, will officially hand over the company to Ms Nadine Kelly in a ceremony that celebrates the colourful and bold history of Grin & Tonic, and brings together the countless artists who have been a part of the Grin & Tonic family.

Dr Nason has been one of the pioneers of professional live theatre in Australia.  Grin & Tonic laid the groundwork for theatre in education in Queensland and has toured secondary school programs to every state in Australia and Singapore.  As founder of Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe in 1973 (previously, from 1959, known as The College Players), Dr Nason was an integral part in the establishment of the Queensland Theatre Company (QTC).

Some of the hundred major productions that Dr Nason has been centrally involved in are:  The Royal Hunt of the Sun, QTC’s first production; Gilgamesh for the QTC in the Ashgrove Quarry; Monkey Magic for the 2002 Energex Brisbane Festival; Troilus and Cressida at the Old Museum with Eugene Gilfedder, Jane Menelaus, Robert Arthur and Geoffrey Rush.

Grin & Tonic is an employer of the cream of Australia’s artistic talent with members including Geoffrey Rush, Bille Brown, Jennifer Flowers, Jane Harders, Michael Caton, Jack Thompson and Geraldine Turner, and the company continues to nurture emerging artists.

Dr Bryan Nason and the Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe have been dedicated to Queensland theatre for over 40 years.  The company is rare in Australia and very special, in that it presents thriving professional theatre of serious intent without direct grants from the funding system.

The company will continue to make a deep impact on Queensland’s cultural life under the Artistic Direction of 25-year-old, Nadine Kelly.  Ms Kelly, who has been working with the company since 2004, is a performer, arts administrator and producer of such prestigious events as the International Festival of Young Playwrights (World Interplay).  Ms Kelly’s view on the current year and the many ahead:  “This is a year of transition, and I am very fortunate to be learning from one of the legends of theatre.  Grin & Tonic holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and it is my desire for the company to retain and extend it’s reach.  The ideas for the future never stop flowing.”

Dr Nason and Ms Kelly are currently working on a mainhouse production of Romeo & Juliet, in which they will play father and daughter (Lord Capulet and Juliet).  This is the company’s first public production since the beginning of 2006.  “It’s a big year for Grin & Tonic with school shows throughout Queensland, and to Darwin for the first time in 20 years, and there’s also other exciting plans in the works for later in the year”, said Ms Kelly.

Romeo & Juliet Details

Directed by Niki-J Witt, with design by Dr Bryan Nason.

Venue:  Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre

Dates & Times:  Tuesday 29 April - Saturday 3 May at 7.30pm

    Sunday 4 May at 4.00pm

Cost:  $30 Adults, $25 Concesson

Bookings:  Phone (07) 3262 8537 or Email

For Interviews, Photos & Cast List, please phone Grin & Tonic on (07) 3262 8537

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*