In Henry 5, Shakespeare’s questions of how one navigates leadership and culpability, judges heroic acts and reconciles different truths, come squarely into a 21st-century lens. Photo: Brett Boardman.
There’s more than a bit of magic in the Illawarra’s social calendar this week.
The calendar is heavy with unique theatre experiences, including a DND live play adventure and the stage adaptation of Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay Clue – plus, Bell Shakespeare brings the Bard’s tale squarely under the 21st-century lens.
Renowned author, storyteller and fairytale scholar Kate Forsyth launches her new enchanting book in Berry and Stanwell Park Arts Theatre puts on its first production of the year.
For some real-world “magic”, Science Space closes doors to the general public for a special, four-times-a-year event for families, while local game-changers Green Gravity will present insights into their radical technology.
Here are nine fantastic things to do in the Illawarra this week.
Multiple Days
Stanwell Park Arts Theatre’s first production of the year tells a heartwarming tale of secrets, love and friendship that will warm your cockles. Stanwell Park Arts Theatre.
The Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast
When: Saturday 26 April, 7 pm, Sunday 27 April, 3 pm, Friday 2 May, 7:30 pm and Saturday 3 May, 7:30 pm
Where: Stanwell Park CWA Hall, 15 The Drive, Stanwell Park
Cost: $25 Adult | $20 Concession | Book via Ticketebo.
Fans of community theatre (and a tip-tapping good time) should act fast – seats are booking out fast for Stanwell Park Arts Theatre’s first production of the year. The Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast tells the tale of a Queensland-based tap-dancing group who face unexpected challenges when they enter the Seniors Superstar competition …
Grab your partner, family or friends and settle in for a heartwarming story of secrets, love and friendship written by local author Christine Sykes and directed by Katie Peach.
As the world confronts instability, war and questions of leadership, Bell Shakespeare’s latest production of Henry V, directed by Marion Potts, arrives with striking relevance. Photo: Brett Boardman.
Henry 5
When: Wednesday 30 April to Saturday 3 May
Where: IMB Theatre, IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Premium $94 | Adult $79 | Pension/Student $69 | Groups 8+/Under 30s $64 | Book via TicketSearch.
Following a humiliating insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his. Against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to climactic victory at the Battle of Agincourt. He is hailed as a warrior and a hero – but at what cost?
Restlessly interrogating and updating Shakespeare’s classics for the modern world, Bell Shakespeare returns with this new production of Henry 5. Shakespeare’s questions of how one navigates leadership and culpability, judges heroic acts, and reconciles different truths, come squarely into a 21st-century lens.
Adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, Clue: On Stage is brought to you by award-winning local theatre company Rising Arts Productions. Image: Rising Arts Productions.
Clue: On Stage
When: Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 May, various times
Where: IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $45 | Concession/Pensioner/Senior/Student/Groups 10+ $40 | Book via TicketSearch.
It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’re invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well … dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up.
Based on the popular board game and adapted from the cult classic film, Clue is the murder-mystery farce that will keep you guessing (and laughing) to the very end.
Saturday
Whether you’re a bona fide dice goblin or just looking for a good laugh, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind show experience. Image: The Adventuring Portal.
Adventuring Portal LIVE: A Live D&D Show
When: Saturday 26 April, 7 to 10 pm
Where: Side Door Theatre, 293-297 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: General Admission $20 | Adventuring Party (4+ People) $16 | Book via Humanitix.
Join a host of local comedians and avid role-players as they fumble their way through the world of Dungeons & Dragons in this delightful live D&D comedy show. Dungeon Master Bradley Ward takes you and an adventuring party of comedians on a journey into the wild worlds of his imagination. There are puzzles to solve, monsters to slay and a whole lot of laughs to be had with a fantastical cast of characters. With all the loose fun and comfort that comes with a home game, take a seat at the table (metaphorically – please sit in the audience) and enjoy the most fun you can have with a bunch of dice in this live-play adventure.
Doors open at 6:30 pm – go early, grab a drink and get the best seats in the house.
Kate Forsyth’s new book reveals where fairytales came from, what they mean and how you can turn to them for guidance. Image: Global Contact Bookstore.
Official Launch – Kate Forsyth’s Fairytale Oracle
When: Saturday 26 April, 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: Global Contact Bookstore, 131 Queen Street, Berry
Cost: General Admission $25 | General Admission and Fairytale Oracle $50 | 2 x General Admission, Fairytale Oracle and Long Lost Fairytales $70| Book via eventbrite.
The enchanted literary salon of Global Contact Bookstore is the ideal venue for renowned and award-winning author and fairytale scholar Kate Forsyth to officially launch her new book Fairytale Oracle. With a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairytale studies and as an accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers, Kate is the authority on the subject.
Join this fascinating talk on the history, meaning and purpose of fairytales, and grab yourself a copy of the book. Prepurchases will be ready for collection at the launch.
Sunday
This festival of fitness and family fun invites everyone to have a go or simply enjoy the spectacle that is triathlon. Image: Elite Energy Events Facebook.
Peoplecare Triathlon Festival Wollongong
When: Sunday 27 April, 7 am to 4 pm
Where: Marine Drive, Wollongong
Cost: Various | Book via Elite Energy.
Wollongong’s stunning harbour precinct and Blue Mile will come alive again this year with a festival of fitness, health and family fun that offers everyone the chance to have a go or simply watch and enjoy the colour and spectacle of the sport of triathlon.
The Peoplecare Triathlon Festival offers races for all ages and abilities. Enter as an individual or get some friends together and be part of a team and taste the excitement, exhilaration and sense of accomplishment that comes with participating in this festival.
Wednesday
Don’t miss Term 2 Homeschool Day at Wollongong’s beloved Science Space. Photo: Science Space.
Homeschool Days – Term 2 2025
When: Wednesday 30 April, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Science Space Wollongong, Puckey Avenue, North Wollongong
Cost: Child 5-18 $16 | Accompanying Infant 1-4 $5 | Accompanying Adult $5 | Book via Science Space.
Once a school term for a full day, the Science Space closes to the general public for Homeschool Days. Doors open at 9 am and shows and activities start at 10 am. Families will have exclusive access to the exhibitions, full access to all-ages interactive shows and the chance to take part in an educator-led STEM experience. In addition, the Science Shop will also be open, offering a wide range of resources to continue the STEM learning at home.
Engaging people with song, laughter and silliness, this workshop is for everyone. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Seamas Carey’s Singing Workshop
When: Wednesday 30 April, 6 to 7 pm
Where: Thirroul Library, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
Whether you’ve sung before or it’s your first time, there is something for everyone at Seamas Carey’s singing workshop. Expect earworm rounds, fun warmups and surprising song covers. Your host is Seamas Carey, the internationally award-winning performer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and choir leader who spent six years running Cornwall’s first alternative male voice choir (Men Are Singing). He’s sung all over the world with his solo work, various theatre companies and The Spooky Men’s Chorale. Now he brings this free event to Thirroul.
Green Gravity uses disused mines to store energy, allowing renewable energy to be used when it is needed and radically accelerating the world’s renewable transition. Image: Green Gravity.
Public Presentation: Using Gravity to Store Energy
When: Wednesday 30 April, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Room 233 – G12, Building 233, UOW Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
Did you know that disused mine shafts can be repurposed to store energy like a battery? Don’t miss this fascinating talk by Green Gravity, hosted by Renew Illawarra. Cameron Ward (Manager Engineering) and Tania Jones (Manager Sustainable Development) from Green Gravity will discuss the Gravitational Energy Storage System (GESS) that is repurposing mine shafts for long-term energy storage.
This event is presented by the Renew Illawarra branch.
