Canberra Theatre Centre Starts 2024 on a High Note

Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) has started the year on a high note with the Australian premiere of Akram Khan’s Jungle Book: reimagined, which is just the first in a line-up of performances of increased diversity and of world-class standard.   

Jungle Book reimagined – A group of dancers poses on stage. In the background, a light projection of animated animals amongst debris looks on at the scene. (Photo credit: Ambra Vernuccio & Image courtesy of Akram Khan Company)

One of the world’s most acclaimed international dance companies, the Akram Khan Company created a mythical world with spectacular movement and stunning stagecraft. The animalistic movement of the dancers told the story through a powerful physical reinterpretation. Balancing the strength on stage, was a series of simple yet beautiful animations, adding birds, elephants and more apes than we knew what to do with, to the overall performance. The dancers’ facial expressions and lyrical movements were also enhanced with a narrated voiceover. This performance was not theatre, not dance, but something more. Jungle Book: reimagined is the pinnacle of physical performance and speaks to our need to belong and bond with others, and to connect with and respect our natural world.  

The exceptional programming is a draw card for Canberra tourism, with more than a quarter of audience members at Jungle Book: reimagined coming from interstate and overseas. Children are also being encouraged to develop an early love of the theatre with a remarkable educational programme of fun works with shorter performance durations and accessible ticket prices.  

The increased breadth, volume and diversity of the performances presented at CTC has led to the expansion of the Programming and Presenter Services team. This focus offers increased opportunities for all performance genres for both intimate works and works of scale.  

CTC’s programme of performances has started the year on a high note that is set to continue. Some key productions to look out for in the coming months include: 

• RBG: Of Many, One – the Sydney Theatre Company’s smash-hit production of the woman who changed the face of the American legal system: the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

RBG: Of Many, One – Featuring Heather Mitchell, a female with crossed arms, dressed in black robes. (Photo credit: Rene Vaile & Image courtesy of Sydney Theatre Company)

• Fourteen – a powerful must-see theatre production by nationally acclaimed Shake & Stir Theatre Co., based on the best-selling memoir by award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy. Fourteen is the inspirational true story of growing up gay in central Queensland. 

Fourteen – An adolescent male, sitting alone and wearing a school uniform (Image courtesy of Shake & Stir Theatre Co.)

• Horizon – a brand-new collaborative work from two of the world’s great First Nations; Australian Indigenous Bangarra Dance Theatre and Māori choreographer and Arts Laureate Moss Te Ururangi Patterson. The work explores the cultural forces that bind us together, across oceans and eons and the compass that guides us home.  

Horizon – A male dancer arching backwards underwater in a pool, with his reflection shining in the water’s surface. (Photo credit: Daniel Boud & Image courtesy of Bangarra Dance Theatre)

• Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach – You’ve read the book and seen the movie – now it’s time to experience this Dahlicious tale – from the wacky mind of the world’s No. 1 Storyteller – live on stage. 

The increased programming and higher calibre of performances is just the beginning. CTC is embarking on a redevelopment project which will update existing theatres, improve technical capability, and build a new, state-of-the-art 2,000 seat lyric theatre. More information on the redevelopment project can be found on our website.  

We are excited by the incredible start to the year as well as the line-up of thought-provoking and enjoyable performances to come. The full programme is testament to the work of dedicated staff and the direction of the Vision For Our Future, which drives the move to more world-class offerings on a broader range of topics, across all genres of the performing arts. We look forward to welcoming you to the Canberra Theatre Centre.