PRESS PLAY by Tantrum Youth Arts
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Press Play drops audiences into opening night chaos as 50 young actors race against the clock. With just 50 minutes to premiere a show, the audience controls part of the action via buttons. This playful reimagining of Tantrum’s history blends tech and surprises – turning theatre into a shared game where every choice shapes the show.
The show hurtles through a wildly reimagined 50‑year “history” of Tantrum, a much‑loved Newcastle youth theatre company. Expect awards nights, disaster tours, condemned venues and some completely unexpected detours. Did the company once pivot into a hotdog stand after running out of money? Was there really a penguin Artistic Director? In this version of history, anything is possible.
Using live streaming, trigger switches and full audience participation, Press Play blurs the line between stage and seats. Every choice matters, momentum is everything, and no two performances are quite the same.
Commissioned by New Annual for the 2026 festival.
Dates and Times
Thursday 1st October: 10.00am (preview) & 1.00pm
Friday 2nd October: 10.00am & 1.00pm
Saturday 3rd October: 10.00am
Saturday 3rd October: 1.00pm Auslan Interpreted
Venue
Playhouse, Civic Theatre
375 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300
Duration
60 mins
Price
Standard – $20
Children – $15 (under 18s)
Recommended Audience Age
Press Play is a family-friendly experience.
Press Play is created and performed by Tantrum’s combined ensembles of young artists (8-18 years) and Accelerate Ensemble.
Commissioned by New Annual and presented in partnership with Civic Theatre. Supported by Beyond Bank. Tantrum Youth Arts is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
The show hurtles through a wildly reimagined 50‑year “history” of Tantrum, a much‑loved Newcastle youth theatre company. Expect awards nights, disaster tours, condemned venues and some completely unexpected detours. Did the company once pivot into a hotdog stand after running out of money? Was there really a penguin Artistic Director? In this version of history, anything is possible.
Using live streaming, trigger switches and full audience participation, Press Play blurs the line between stage and seats. Every choice matters, momentum is everything, and no two performances are quite the same.
Commissioned by New Annual for the 2026 festival.
Dates and Times
Thursday 1st October: 10.00am (preview) & 1.00pm
Friday 2nd October: 10.00am & 1.00pm
Saturday 3rd October: 10.00am
Saturday 3rd October: 1.00pm Auslan Interpreted
Venue
Playhouse, Civic Theatre
375 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300
Duration
60 mins
Price
Standard – $20
Children – $15 (under 18s)
Recommended Audience Age
Press Play is a family-friendly experience.
Press Play is created and performed by Tantrum’s combined ensembles of young artists (8-18 years) and Accelerate Ensemble.
Commissioned by New Annual and presented in partnership with Civic Theatre. Supported by Beyond Bank. Tantrum Youth Arts is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
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Where is it happening?
Civic Theatre Newcastle, The Playhouse, Cynder, Civic Ln, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia, Newcastle
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherTantrum Youth Arts
