Past Events
Ipswich Civic Hall's Festival of Theatre Program was launched in 2004. Since then, tens of thousands of tickets have been issued for a diverse range of shows, thrilling audiences from near and far. This vibrant, evolving initiative offers an extensive year-round program of local, national and international theatre events.
Recent enhancements to the Civic Hall by Ipswich City Council have further enabled the Festival of Theatre to attract high profile acts and to become a significant venue for touring artists in Queensalnd.
Below is a listing of Ipswich Civic Hall 2008 Festival of Theatre past events.
2008 Celebrity Concert - Ipswich Orpheus Chorale - Friday 14 March
The Australian Army Band, Brisbane joins the 100 voice Chorale and the 50 voice Young Orpheus Singers for an evening of choral music and a selection of most-loved band items.
Cambrian Showcase 2008 - Sunday 16 March
Inspiring harmonies and massed voices of the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir, Cambrian Youth Choir and Junior Cambrian Choir.
Romeo and Juliet - Thursday 27, Friday 28 Saturday 29 March 2008
Shakespeare in the Park - Education City Mini Oval, USQ Campus, Springfield Penned over 400 years ago, Shakespeare's tale of two star-cross'd lovers caught up in a bitter feud between two great Italian families.
Lior in Concert - Saturday 29 March 7.30pm
Lior is one of the most successful independant Debuts in Australian history. His music is a rootsy mix of styles and his album Autumn Flow has been released in Japan, Europe, The UK and America.
Spectacular China - presented by 3CT International - Thursday 3 April
A Taste of the Beijing Olympic Festival. A dynamic and potent combination of dance, acrobatics, and song. 
Ipswich International Tattoo - A Celtic Journey - Saturday 19 April and Sunday 29 April
Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band's fifth annual Tattoo event will take you back through music and dance to the origins of our Celtic roots. Narrated by Alasdair Hutton voice of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Ipswich Seniors Concert "Who Dun It? A Magatha Mysterie" - Tuesday 22 April
Set in the Roarin' Twenties, there's gals, gangsters and gags galore. Big Al and Bugsy warn you to "Be dere - or take da consequences!" There'll be plenty of chances for a sing-along with songs including Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, Chicago, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, Can't Help Lovin' That Man O' Mine and many more.
Kevin ‘Bloody' Wilson ‘DILLIGAF Café' World Tour - Wednesday 23 April 2008
2008 sees Kevin Bloody Wilson in the best form of his stellar international touring career with a great bunch of hilarious new songs in his arsenal as well as an ever-growing collection of old favourites.
The Gospel According to Elvis - Thursday 24 April
The Gospel According to Elvis features 19 hit Gospel songs performed by the soulful Andy Seymour and an extraordinary band. A powerful and moving show, this untold story of the man and his music shows a side to Elvis rarely seen.
Let's Get Together Tour - Ian Moss, Jon Stevens, Jack Jones, Tania Doko - Friday 25 April
This tour has an all-star, multi-Platinum line-up featuring very special guests, Jack Jones; giving audiences a fresh taste of Southern Sons hits; and the inimitable Tania Doko who will revive some much-loved tunes from her former multi-ARIA Award winning outfit, Bachelor Girl.
Pick A Box - Featuring X-Collective - Saturday 26 April 2008
X-Collective, The Queensland Orchestra's cabaret ensemble, has a unique brand of musical virtuosity, a little bit of mayhem, hilarity and riot, not to mention some very bright suits! Pick A Box enters the devious, scandalous world of the TV game show - glitz and glamour abound as the contestants of this game show try anything to attain 15 minutes of fame.
Flamenco Fire - Wednesday 30 April
Australia's best flamenco dancers, singers and musicians present this beautifully crafted show. From festive dances to heart-wrenching songs and fiery guitar ensemble pieces, Flamenco Fire reveals the flamenco art form in all of its guises. This amazing production will transport you to España.....Ole!
La Traviata - by Co-Opera - Friday 2 May
Rich in tunes that are familiar and toe-tapping, Co-Opera's production of Verdi's famous opera is set in the 1950s against a glamorous backdrop of exotic parties with excesses of wine, love and living.
David Campbell - The Swing Sessions 2: Concert Tour - Saturday 10 May
David Campbell will be "Live and Swinging Across Australia", bringing classic songs of Bobby Darrin, Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter, Dean Martin and Sammy David Jnr to the stage in a spectacular 2 hour live show. With an incredible 9 piece swing band and David Campbell's trademark vocal energy "Swing Sessions 2" is a dynamic take on the classic songs of the 50's and 60's.
2008 Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow -  Tuesday 13 May
The Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow has toured all the wonders of Australia and in 2008, a consortium of topline local comedians and international guests will be firing some mammoth jokes your way with punchlines that will blow you out the back of the room.
Foster and Allen - Wednesday 14 May
Ireland's most famous and successful duo are back to delight Ipswich fans with their charismatic blending of easy listening and folk music. Mick Foster and Tony Allen have been performing together for almost 30 years. They first toured Australia in 1983 and this will be their 15th trip down under.
Between them they have sold 18 million records, making them one of Ireland's biggest entertainment exports, in the same league as U2, Enya, Boyzone and The Corrs.
Heroes - by Queensland Theatre Company - Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 May
A comedy play starring Max Gillies, Robert Alexander and Dennis Olsen. Three First World War veterans who spend their autumn years reflecting upon the peculiar circumstances of their equally peculiar nursing home.
Harry Manx - International Guitarist - Thursday 29 May
Internationally acclaimed Canadian guitarist/singer-songwriter Harry Manx comes to Ipswich as part of his fifth Australian tour. Dubbed an "essential link" between the music of East and West, his unique sound is bewitching and deliciously addictive to listen to. Blend Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues, add a sprinkle of gospel and some compelling grooves and you'll get Manx's unique "mysticssippi" flavour.
Menopause the Musical - Wednesday 4 & Thursday 5 June
Half a million Australian women can't be wrong! That's the number who have seen this hilarious show over the last two and a half years - and they love it! So much so, many of them have come back time and time again to join with their sisters in this 90-minute, one act laugh-a-thon!
Perhaps the attraction is the songs that everyone grew up with - The Great Pretender, Only You, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Stand by Your Man, I Will Survive and twenty more - all sung with gusto and all with their ‘new' lyrics. Or maybe it's the realisation that there is a wonderful life waiting after ‘The Change'.
Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat - Wednesday 11 June
Jack and Cat dance their way into Milli's life - and together they make the ordinary extraordinary! Presented by Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People.
The Best Of British Rock - Sunday 22 June
Original 60's Legends Concert - Direct from The UK
The Manfreds featuring Paul Jones the original voice of Manfred Mann.
Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Pretty Flamingo, Ha! Ha! Said the Clown, Mighty Quinn, 5-4-3-2-1, Fox on the Run, My Name is Jack, .... 15 UK Top 20 singles.
The Spencer Davis Group
"Gimme Some Lovin", "Somebody Help Me", "I'm A Man", and "Keep On Runnin".
The bands that helped bring British rock ‘n roll to the rest of the world.
Shannon Noll Turns It Up - Sunday 6 July
Shannon Noll is going back on the road with the TURN IT UP Tour, his first major national run in two years. The 17-date tour, which features support act Small Mercies, starts shortly after the release of "Everybody Needs A Little Help", the third single off his current platinum selling album, Turn It Up.
Dance of Colours - Saturday 19 July
Belly dance, Middle Eastern dance, Bollywood, Native Canadian Dance and more in the 3rd Annual Dance of Colours which presents a kaleidoscope of dance from around the globe with performers from Australia, Canada, Lebanon, India and Fiji.
Grease - Thursday 24 Friday 25 Saturday 26 July
St Edmund's and St Mary's Combined Colleges present 'Grease' - The Musical (Jim Jacobs and Warren Cassey). It has the Pink Ladies, The Boys, the highs and lows of teenage romance, gangs, school and of course The Nerd. It comes together with hair grease, hair spray and the sound of powerful engines.
Sara Storer - Sunday 27 July
Australian country music singer Sara Storer won seven Golden Guitars in the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2004 awards in Tamworth, which is a record in the 32-year history of the awards.
 The Delltones - Tuesday 29 July
For five decades the legendary DELLTONES have played, celebrated and elevated rock'n'roll - one of the few real constants in a frantically changing world. If you only go out once this year, don't miss The Delltones special BopaDooWop 50th Anniversary Show.
Justine Clarke - Wednesday 6 August
Following the huge success of her debut album and DVD, I LIKE TO SING, Justine Clarke is back with a national tour to celebrate the release of her new cd, SONGS TO MAKE YOU SMILE. This acclaimed Australian actor, singer and star of ABC TV's Play School will be touring nationally performing with her band, as she journeys through a fun filled musical landscape singing much loved favourites and cool new songs for kids from her new cd SONGS TO MAKE YOU SMILE.
Antal Szalai Gypsy Orchestra - Saturday 9 August 
Outstanding international performers presenting a spectacular night of vibrant gypsy music. Antal Szalai is recognised as one of the best gypsy violin soloists in the world. This former Ferenc Liszt award winner and his orchestra entertain all ages with traditional Hungarian and International gypsy melodies.
The Parade of Champions - Saturday 16 August
A spectacular night of singing from Australia's champion A capella choruses and quartets. Introduced by Ipswich's 'Minor Chords' and featuring Australia's champion quartet 'Alliance'. This performance is a true parade of champions.
The Wheels on the Bus -  Tuesday 19 August
The Ipswich Seniors Concert Group present another blockbuster concert for Ipswich region seniors. What happens when the plans for your bus trip change and you are trapped with people from your past? Like the wheels on the bus, can relationships "go round"?
Super Psychic Show - Thursday 21 August
Charmaine Wilson Australian Psychic of the Year 2005 as seen on Channel 7s The One. Maria Elita Queensland Psychic of the Year 2006 and Scott Alexander King Victorian Psychic of the Year 2007.
Possum Magic: The Musical - Children's Theatre Sat 23 & Mon 25 August
....as dinkum as the wattle, as true blue as the gum...it is the happiest compendium of song, dance, storytelling and vivid characters....all the larrikin whimsy of Mem Fox's story....it's a production of integrity and gusto!" - Sydney Sun-Herald.
The Ten Sopranos - Thursday 28 August
Artistically clever and vocally exciting, ten world class sopranos perform all time favourite songs and arias from the Beatles to Puccini. Directed by Miss Penny Pavlakis, former principal artist with Opera Australia known as 'the Singer's Singer'.
Pete Murray - Tuesday 2 September
Supported by the amazing vocalist Gin Wigmore. Pete hit the stage with his acclaimed band; Andy Sylvio (drums), Ben McCarthey (Keys) and Jonathan Zion (bass). The show rocked and showed the excited audience why Pete is hot property on the international festival circuit.
Grant Collins: One Man Orchestra -  Thursday 4 September
Internationally renowned solo drum set performer, Grant Collins, plays the largest drum kit in the southern hemisphere in a vivacious and dynamic show. There are no limits in a Grant Collins concert. Witness the dynamic stage presence and multi-limbed techniques of this remarkable performer.
Annie - Ipswich Musical Theatre Company - 13, 14, 20 September
The Broadway Musical "Annie" remains one of the most popular musicals of all time.
The Ipswich Musical Theatre Company's production stars Bronte Mitchell and Allegra Bonetto as the 11-year-old orphan Annie. The muscial follows her escape from the clutches of Miss Hannigan in the New York orphanage to her time in billionaire Olivier warbucks' mansion.
Doug Parkinson - Soul Man - Thursday 25 September
Australian music legend Doug Parkinson presents 'Soul Man', a salute to the legendary stars of black music - such as James Brown Fats Waller, BB King, Ray Charles, Issac Hayes, Barry White and George Benson. The show also features Doug's repetoire of hit songs including Dear Prudence and I'll be Around.
Bombshells
Bombshells is theatre which navigates the emotional terrain of six larger than life women who are each at a personal crossroad in their lives. A stressed-out yummy mummy; a backtracking bride-to-be; a geeky cactus cultivator; a widow who find pleasure in the unexpected; a diva newly returned to the stage; and an all-singing all-dancing teenage teenage talent contestant. Winner of the 2004 Fringe First Award - Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the 2005 London Theatre Goers Choice Award.
Gala 2008: A Night in Venice - Saturday 4 October
Featuring the Ipswich City Orchestra & M.C. Ashleigh Mac. Be transported for a night to the exotic delights of Venice in the grip of Carnevale. A feast of musical and performance delights await you in this Gala presentation.
CATS - Ipswich Orpheus Chorale - 10 & 11, 17 & 18 October
This magical musical will be staged for the first time in Ipswich by the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale. CATS by Andrew Lloyd Webber has been a favourite with audiences all over the world since it's first opening night in London's West End in 1981.
Taikoz - The Gathering - Tuesday 4 November 
TaikOz is a high-energy ensemble renowned for its physicality and spirit. The group's unique fusion of Japanese ritual drumming and western percussion music propels you on a transcendent journey through exotic sound worlds, with the ethereal and translucent sounds of the Japanese bamboo flute, Grand Master Riley Lee contrasts dramatically with the exhilarating thunder of the taiko drums.
A Perfect Performance - Friday 14 November
Perfect Place is presenting their 2008 End of Year Concert featuring music and dance acts from a selection of their talented students. All families and friends are invited to attend.
Emily Loves to Bounce - Tue 18 NOvember 2008 10am & 12.30pm
Emily Loves to Bounce is an enchanting performance inspired by the books of Stephen Michael King. Balls and boxes, eccentricity and efficiency, spontaneity and organisation, all come together in the friendship of Henry and Amy. Through music, games, songs and dance this acclaimed Patch Theatre production inspires the creativity, imagination and exuberance of childhood.
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