Past Event

16 Sep — 1 Oct

BANANALAND

Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre present

BANANALAND
BANANALAND

How the WORST rock band becomes the BEST kids' band!

Razor sharp- irreverent - uplifting


World Premiere

Written by Keir Nuttall
Composed by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall
Directed by Simon Phillips

Meet Ruby Semblance, a 21-year-old idealist. She believes in art, music and angry choreography. Ruby is the lead singer/songwriter of Kitty Litter. Not Kitty Litter ‘the band’ mind you – according to Ruby, an ‘Onstage Conceptual Art / Music Oriented Happening.’

If that sounds unappealing, you are right. Kitty Litter have been together for four years, played five hundred shows, and have one fan. One.

One fateful day Kitty Litter take the stage to be greeted by a sold-out audience… of small children. It turns out their furious protest song Bananaland has accidentally become a runaway kids hit. 

Is Kitty Litter destined to become the next Wiggles? Spoiler: yes! And it’s our total delight as the audience to witness them rail against this destiny. Do they allow themselves to be consumed with the notion of ‘selling out’ or do they buy into their accidental ‘kids’ band’ fame?

Their journey is a rollercoaster romp full of heart, music, comedy, pathos and lovable characters.

BANANALAND is a celebration of the glorious absurdity of following an impossible dream, featuring a knockout score by Kate Miller-Heidke and her collaborator Keir Nuttall - the award-winning songwriting team behind Muriel’s Wedding the Musical and multiple platinum-selling albums.

It is directed by industry giant Simon Phillips, internationally renowned for his work on large-scale musicals including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Ladies in Black and famed for his stunning visual style and innovative staging.


Price

$69 - $99 + booking fee

Times

16 Sep - 1 Oct
Click 'Book now' to see show times
Relaxed Performance Fri 22 Sep, 1:30pm

Auslan interpreted performance Tue 26 Sep, 7pm
Audio Described Performance Wed 27 Sep, 7pm

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes (including 20 minute interval)

Where

Playhouse, QPAC ›
Cnr Grey and, Melbourne St,
South Brisbane QLD 4101

Venue info

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

Assistive listening systems available

Auslan interpreted events

Relaxed performance

Important Info

This production contains strong language and sexual references. It also contains sound pressure effects (loud noises), strobe and haze.

Recommended for ages 15+.

Brisbane Festival is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and is featured on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

This project is supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government Initiative.

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Dates
16 Sep — 1 Oct
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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An irresistible, absolutely hilarious, captivating, new, feel-good musical comedy.

Alison Walsh, The Courier Mail

Bananaland is an absurd, colourful, mickey-taking musical, but it never loses sight of its emotional true north.

Nick Dent, Brisbane Times

One of the best things to hit the stage in years. A new Aussie classic by two of the most talented people in the country who have got together with a bunch of other talented people to create absolute magic on stage. Tell them I sent you.

Phil Brown, In Queensland

A night of musical mayhem that is Queensland to its core but is so much fun that you imagine it will have a life beyond its sub-tropical birthplace.

Alison Walsh, The Courier mail

Syncopated sensationally singable score from Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall

Daily Review

Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall’s score… sparks and sparkles

Muriel’s Wedding The Musical – Time Out

This is a bright and brilliant new Australian musical, bursting with colour and passion in both its message and delivery. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Elise Lawrence, Limelight Magazine

Tourism and Events Queensland - It's Live!

#Partners

How to get there

Playhouse, QPAC ›
Cnr Grey and, Melbourne St,
South Brisbane QLD 4101

Getting there

Brisbane Festival expresses deep respect to and acknowledges the First People of this Country.