La Boite Presents ENGINE, GWEN IN PURGATORY, et al., In 2010-11 Season

Now playing at venues across Northern NSW, Janis Balodis' new play Engine is leaving its mark with its poignant story of human resilience, after a community is rocked by a fatal car crash. It's about kids and cars; how we hurt and how we heal.

Melanie Zanetti (The Little Dog Laughed) and Bob Baines (Home & Away) are compelling in their portrayal of a family in turmoil. They are joined onstage at each leg of the tour by a small chorus of talented young performers - who inject an authentic and freewheeling energy with their highly physical performances: at moments a huddle of texting teens then a family of capering crash-test dummies.

Engine plays at La Boite for a strictly limited three-week season from 25 Aug - 11 Sept.

Gwen in Purgatory has delighted audiences in Sydney this month and it's not long before the preview here on 29 September.

Tommy Murphy's Gwen in Purgatory has been of the most anticipated plays this year - and Neil Armfield has delivered a remarkable production. All reviews point to exceptional performances from his superb cast, led by Melissa Jaffer who plays 90-year-old Gwen - struggling to work the modern gadgets in her new house on a new subdivision, as her family gathers to battle over what happens next...  Sharp, graceful and extremely funny - it's about the Houlihan family, but trust us when we say it's also about yours!

Gwen in Purgatory is a co-production with Company B Belvoir and plays at La Boite from 29 Sept - 24 Oct. Tickets from $26 (preview $25).

FAST: Festival of Student Theatre 16-19 September 2010

FAST is the first national festival of tertiary student theatre in decades. It is run in partnership with La Boite and QUT Creative Industries and brings together the nation's student theatre companies. The festival's aim is to showcase the incredible talent emerging through these companies and to create connections of many kinds.

It's going to be an exciting, festival-fuelled few days. Theatre makers from campuses across Australia will converge and pack various venues in the precinct - La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre and Rehearsal Room, and QUT's Glasshouse right next door. QUT, University of Queensland, James Cook University, and Griffith University join others including University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, La Trobe, and others. Lots of forums, and a special 24-hour play project run by the University of Melbourne.

Check out more at www.fastfestival.com.au.