Wednesday 21 April 2021

Madame Lark is appearing at Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab

Think bingo, orienteering, music improvisation, a Mad Hatter’s ‘Anh’s Brush With Fame’, and footy penalty cards... then you may have a clue to this evening of new music!

With the roll of a dice the evening kicks off with quick musical interpretations of you, loosely scored on the spot by the woman in red, Madame Lark. Think, interpretive Pictionary. Then, follow the map and along the way you’ll be played, musically speaking, by the New Music Collective. At the end of the trail, a musical playground. Half time bell - then sit back and witness COBRA - can you pick the villain?

Of course, it’s all a game, right? Confess an untold gamble (did it pay off?). What happened on Sports Day that you’d rather forget? How did you always win at Monopoly? We won’t judge you, but a musician may put notes to your secret.

Experience the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab in a very different way. From the foyer, dressing-room, props-room, laundry, bathroom and theatre. Follow the music trail as your hosts (did someone mention big hair?) guide you through an evening of never-heard-before spontaneous music.



22nd April, 2021


Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab
Gate 2 High St UNSW Sydney
Kensington, NSW


Info & tickets: Eventbrite

Wednesday 24 March 2021

Christine Johnston is performing at the Canberra International Music Festival in May

In 1899, as Sigmund Freud completed his seminal ‘Interpretation of Dreams’ after years of case studies and wide-ranging research, Arnold Schoenberg’s late-romantic musical outburst ‘Transfigured Night’ arrived on the page in a mere three week’s outpouring. Its virtuosic transcription for piano trio is as famous as its original, showcasing three young rising stars. Gruber’s pandemonic piece for chansonnier and ensemble is equally probing of the unconscious mind, with Christine Johnston as the first female performer to tackle this Viennese musical circus.







5th May, 2021

Fitters' Workshop

Printers Way

Kingston, ACT

Info & tickets: Night and Dreams — Canberra International Music Festival (cimf.org.au)

Crumb's Lyre with Madame Lark and Sonya Lifschitz is coming to Canberra in April

Christine Johnston as Madame Lark joins macrocosmic piano siren Sonya Lifschitz as they unleash their duelling scores on the eve of the festival. Neither cabaret nor recital, this delicious piece of surreal late night theatre places legendary composer George Crumb’s zodiac-inspired fantasy pieces amidst the sounds of the Antipodes.


28th April, 2021

Verity Lane Market
50 Northbourne Avenue
Canberra, ACT
Info & tickets: Christine Johnston & Sonya Lifschitz: CRUMB’S LYRE — Canberra International Music Festival (cimf.org.au)
Presented in association with Verity Lane Market.

Madame Lark is in Sydney as part of "Now You Hear Her - Clothing Music"

A visit to the vacated active-wear store in George Street might give you a very different experience from behind the curtain of the dressing room. The only ensemble to “try on” is a loose musical interpretation of you, spurred on by the woman in red - Madame Lark, alongside a collective of musicians at your service. Try this brief ‘score’ on for size along the dressing room trail, peg it to the finishing score, and loop back to try more if you choose. Bring a two sentence fashion-confession for the finishing trim. The final performance will be when all the musicians perform the grand score. Join this extraordinary group of musicians and their instruments as they play your vibe.
Concept by Sonya Lifschitz and Christine Johnston. Realised by: Christine Johnston - co-director/performer as Madame Lark, Damian Barbeler - co-director/performer and Sonya Lifschitz - co-director/performer with performers Cazzbo Johns, Lamorna Nightingale, Oliver Schermacher and Freya Schack-Arnott.


Sunday 28th March, 2021 at 1pm
World Square
644 George Street
Sydney, NSW

Sunday 16 February 2020

The Kransky Sisters in the Spiegeltent

The Kransky Sisters are driving their Morris to Newcastle and Wollongong, bringing their home baked show to town! 

From Abba to Daft Punk, Sia to Steppenwolf, these three eccentric sisters with their eclectic mix of instruments including musical saw, tuba, old reed keyboard, and kitchen pots, have cooked up a very special sweet and sour serving of well-known songs gleaned from their old wireless at home. Hot out of the oven, with stories of their recent adventures, these oddball Queensland Sisters reminiscent of your old aunties, will leave you wanting seconds! 
Sunday 19th April, 2020 - 3pm
Spiegeltent Wollongong
Arts Precinct
Burelli Street,
Wollongong, NSW
Info & tickets: Spiegeltent

Saturday 18th April, 2020 - 4.30pm
Spiegeltent Newcastle
Civic Park
Crn Darby & King Street,
Newcastle, NSW
Info & tickets: Spiegeltent

Presented by Strut & Fret Production House as part of The Spiegeltent Newcatle and The Spiegeltent Wollongong.

In light of the evolving status of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and on advice from Australian Health Officials and the Australian government, it is with heavy hearts that we today announce that the March/April Spiegeltent Newcastle & Wollongong season will not proceed as originally planned. Instead, the season will be postponed with new dates to be announced.

All current tickets purchased will be valid for the new season dates.  For those customers who wish to receive a refund, the Spiegeltents will announce details of the refund process once the rescheduled dates have been announced.

Monday 3 February 2020

The Kransky Sisters are heading to Darwin

Turning the Hubcaps
Crocodiles beware! The Kransky Sisters are driving their old Morris to Darwin, bringing their hot baked show to town!

From Abba to Daft Punk, Sia to Steppenwolf, these three eccentric sisters with their eclectic mix of instruments including musical saw, tuba, old reed keyboard, and kitchen pots, have cooked up a very special sweet and sour serving of well-known songs gleaned from their old wireless at home.

Fresh from the oven, with stories of their recent adventures, these oddball Queensland Sisters reminiscent of your old aunties, will leave you wanting seconds!


3rd April, 2020
The Playhouse
Darwin Entertainment Centre
93 Mitchell Street
Darwin, NT
Info & tickets: DEC

Darwin Entertainment Centre (DEC) is responding to the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 pandemic by prioritising the safety of our community and announcing an initial closure of the venue until Thursday 30 April.

All scheduled performances to be held within the venue from Thursday 19 March to Thursday 30 April have been cancelled. Ticketholders for these events will receive a full refund.

Tuesday 28 January 2020

Music For Our Country

Christine Johnston will be performing as part of "Music For Our Country", a fundraiser to help aid bushfire recovery.

Thursday 30th January, 2020
City Recital Hall
2 Angel Place
Sydney, NSW

Info & tickets: CRH

Wednesday 28 August 2019

Baba Yaga is touring Norway, Ireland & the UK

Vaselina lives the quiet life, working as a receptionist in a very tall apartment block. But all that changes when she is forced to confront a terrifying resident who plays her music far too loudly and eats jelly babies with her mouth open.

Who is this mysterious neighbour? Will she ever turn the music down? And what exactly is she planning for dinner?

Direct from a critically acclaimed, sell out season at the 2018 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Baba Yaga is a brand new take on an old Russian folktale co-created by director Rosemary Myers and two unique and celebrated artists from opposite ends of the globe; Shona Reppe (Scotland; The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean) and Christine Johnston (Australia; The Kransky Sisters).

4th - 5th September, 2019
Kristiansand, NORWAY

4th October - 5th November, 2019
Ireland & the UK

For information & bookings: Windmill Theatre Company

Monday 26 August 2019

A Very Kransky Christmas is on the road again in November and December

Cloistered in the old rickety family house in their home town of Esk in Queensland, the musical sisters’ traditional Christmas festivities have until now been shrouded in secrecy. For this very special season they let you into their world of egg nog, pantyhose and painted chokos. From Enya to “Silent Night”, Daft Punk to “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, the nutty sisters bring back their cracker show.

With their unusual array of instruments from cheese grater to toilet brush, tuba to musical saw, settle in for what could be your kookiest Christmas party yet.


Tue 17th - Sat 21st December, 2019
Cremorne Theatre
QPAC
Cnr Grey & Melbourne Streets
South Brisbane, QLD
Info & tickets: QPAC

Sat 14th December, 2019
Empire Theatre
54-56 Neil Street
Toowoomba, QLD
Info & tickets: Empire Theatre

Fri 13th December, 2019
The Events Centre
20 Minchinton Street
Caloundra, QLD
Info & tickets: The Events Centre

Sat 7th December, 2019
The Ville Resort-Casino
Sir Leslie Theiss Drive
Townsville, QLD
Info & tickets: TryBooking

Fri 6th December, 2019
Cairns Performing Arts Centre
Cnr Sheridan & Florence Streets
Cairns, QLD
Info & tickets: CPAC

Sat 30th November, 2019
Byron Centre
69 Jonson Street 
Byron Bay, NSW
Info & tickets: Byron Centre

Fri 29th November, 2019
The J Noosa
60 Noosa Drive
Noosa Heads, QLD
Info & tickets: The J

Tue 26th (tickets available) & Wed 27th (sold out) November, 2019
Lizotte's Restaurant
31 Morehead Street
Lambton, NSW
Info & tickets: Lizotte's

Presented by A-List Entertainment & The Kransky Sisters

Sunday 25 August 2019

Extended Play - 20 concerts of new music in 12 hours

Christine Johnston appearing with Sonya Lifschitz.This program is a celestial reflection on the eternal recurrence of time and the cyclical nature of life. Love-Death Music is a work that presents George Crumb’s visionary and ground-breaking Makrokosmos (Book 1) in a unique and imaginative way. Joining forces with one of Australia’s most remarkable and versatile performance artists, this program brings together music, projection and improvisation to amplify the mystical, otherworldly quality of Crumb’s music.
31st August, 2019
City Recital Hall
Sydney, NSW

For information & bookings: City Recital Hall

Wednesday 26 June 2019

Baba Yaga in China, Taiwan and Norway

Vaselina lives the quiet life, working as a receptionist in a very tall apartment block. But all that changes when she is forced to confront a terrifying resident who plays her music far too loudly and eats jelly babies with her mouth open.
Who is this mysterious neighbour? Will she ever turn the music down? And what exactly is she planning for dinner?
Direct from a critically acclaimed, sell out season at the 2018 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Baba Yaga is a brand new take on an old Russian folktale co-created by director Rosemary Myers and two unique and celebrated artists from opposite ends of the globe; Shona Reppe (Scotland; The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean) and Christine Johnston (Australia; The Kransky Sisters).

4th - 14th July, 2019
A.S.K. - Art Space for Kids Beijing
Beijing, CHINA

18th - 21st July, 2019
Xi'an Concert Hall
Xi'an, CHINA

25th - 28th July, 2019
A.S.K. - Art Space for Kids Hangzhou
Hangzhou, CHINA

3rd & 4th August, 2019
Wellspring Theatre
Taipei, TAIWAN

4th & 5th September, 2019
Kilden Teater og Konserthus
Kristiansand, NORWAY

Information & tickets: Windmill Theatre Company

Sunday 21 April 2019

The Kransky Sisters are heading to Trundle

The Kransky Sisters are making their way to the ABBA Festival in Trundle for A Very Kransky Christmas in May.


Dates: 3rd May, 2019 (6pm) & 4th May, 2019 (10am & 12pm)
Trundle Memorial Hall
54 Forbes Street
Trundle, NSW

Info & tickets: 123tix

Sunday 10 March 2019

Christine will be part of A Weekend in the Life of a Piano

Inside Rosny Barn, built stone by stone in 1818 by convicts, a perfectly tuned grand piano waits. Over the course of the final weekend of the Festival, it will be played by three of Australia’s finest pianists in six wildly constrasting concerts. This intimate series showcases the extraordinary virtuosity of pianists Sonya Lifschitz, Paul Grabowsky and Alex Raineri, who are joined by three equally brilliant creative collaborators – performance artist Christine Johnston, singer-songwriter Lior and author-conductor Paul Kildea.

Sonya Lifschitz (piano) and Christine Johnston (readings/musical saw/birds)
ABOVE/BELOW

Tchaikovsky / George Crumb / poems Max Lifshitz
23rd March, 2019

Rosny Farm
Lot 2, Rosny Hill Road
Rosny Park

Info & tickets: tendaystas

Friday 8 March 2019

Baba Yaga comes to Launceston

A clever reboot of a Slavic folktale, Windmill Theatre Co’s new work Baba Yaga introduces young audiences to Vaselina, the shy and nervous concierge of the Poultry Park Apartments. Saddled with the unenviable task of enforcing the pernickety regulations of the body corporate, Vaselina must investigate the strange and noisy emanations from the new and terrifying penthouse resident, Madam B. Yaga.

Her trip to the top floor leads Vaselina to a scary and uproarious rendezvous with its defiantly ‘different’ tenant. Born out of a happy meeting of minds – director Rosemary Myers (Girl Asleep), Christine Johnston (The Kransky Sisters’ siren of the bowed saw) and Scottish children’s theatre artist Shona Reppe – this peach of a show earned critical bouquets and adoring fans at the 2018 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.

The funny and endearing performances are matched by outstanding and outlandish work from the whole creative team: costumes, sound, music and Windmill’s trademark animated projections. Good-weird family entertainment from one of Australia’s most beloved companies for young audiences.

Dates: 16th & 17th March, 2019
Earl Arts Centre
57 Brisbane Street
Launceston SA

Info & tickets: tendaystas

Sunday 6 January 2019

Madame Lark is at 10 Days on the Island in 2019

Prokofiev's classic children's tale Peter and the Wolf.

Madame Lark has a special knack of speaking to birds, and to children. Now she brings Prokofiev’s classic children’s tale to life. With music from the magical Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, this traditional fable combined with Madame Lark’s quirky storytelling style will have kids enthralled. Will Peter and his animal friends capture the wolf and save the day? 

Find out the answer as your kids’ love of the orchestra blossoms. Don’t miss out on this delightful and ever popular family show.

14th March, 2019
Albert Hall
Launceston  TAS

15th March, 2019
Scottsdale Primary School
Scottsdale  TAS

Info: tendaystas

Friday 4 January 2019

Baba Yaga will be at 2019 Adelaide Festival

A clever reboot of a Slavic folktale, Windmill Theatre Co’s new work Baba Yaga introduces young audiences to Vaselina, the shy and nervous concierge of the Poultry Park Apartments. Saddled with the unenviable task of enforcing the pernickety regulations of the body corporate, Vaselina must investigate the strange and noisy emanations from the new and terrifying penthouse resident, Madam B. Yaga.

Her trip to the top floor leads Vaselina to a scary and uproarious rendezvous with its defiantly ‘different’ tenant. Born out of a happy meeting of minds – director Rosemary Myers (Girl Asleep), Christine Johnston (The Kransky Sisters’ siren of the bowed saw) and Scottish children’s theatre artist Shona Reppe – this peach of a show earned critical bouquets and adoring fans at the 2018 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.

The funny and endearing performances are matched by outstanding and outlandish work from the whole creative team: costumes, sound, music and Windmill’s trademark animated projections. Good-weird family entertainment from one of Australia’s most beloved companies for young audiences.


Dates: 27th February - 6th March, 2019
Queen's Theatre
Gillies Arcade/Playhouse Lane
Adelaide SA

Info & tickets: Adelaide Festival

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Madame Lark hosts Music Play 2019 at Melbourne Recital Centre

Music Play 2019.

Big and mini concerts, workshops and free foyer fun!

A big little festival for kids and families to discover music, play an instrument and make some noise.

Dates: 16th - 19th January, 2019
Melbourne Recital Centre
Cnr Southbank Blvd & Sturt Street
Southbank
Melbourne VIC

Info & tickets: MRC

Wednesday 5 December 2018

A Very Kransky Christmas Tour 2018 is on its way!!

Cloistered in the old rickety family house in their home town of Esk in Queensland the musical Sisters' traditional Christmas festivities have until now been shrouded in secrecy. For this very special reason, they're about to let you into their world of eggnog, pantyhose and painted chokos. From Enya to Silent Night, Daft Punk to the Twelve Days of Christmas, these dysfunctional sisters take family get-togethers to a new level. With their unusual array of instruments from cheese graters to toilet brush, tuba to musical saw, settle in for what could be your kookiest Christmas party ever! 

23rd November, 2018
Blue Mountains Theatre
104-108 Macquarie Road
Springwood  NSW
Info & tickets: Blue Mountains Theatre

26th November - 2nd December, 2018
Alex Theatre
1/135 Fitzroy Street
St Kilda  VIC
Info & tickets: Ticketek

5th - 8th December, 2018
The Studio
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney  NSW
Info & tickets: Sydney Opera House

9th December, 2018
Playhouse Theatre
Canberra Theatre C
London Circuit
Canberra  ACT
Info & tickets: Canberra Theatre Centre

13th - 15th December, 2018
Heath Ledger Theatre
State Theatre Centre of WA
174-176 William Street
Perth  WA
Info & tickets: State Theatre Centre of WA

18th - 22nd December, 2018
Cremorne Theatre
QPAC
Cnr Melbourne & Grey Streets
South Brisbane  QLD
Info & tickets: QPAC

Sunday 23 September 2018

Christine Johnston returns to Women In Voice!!

After celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary season with sold out performances last year, Brisbane’s iconic Women in Voice returns to Brisbane Powerhouse with another incredible line-up.

See audience favourites Leah Cotterell, Christine Johnston and Anje West alongside exciting newcomers Hannah Grondin and Adelina Martinez, and Dutch international music therapist Jan van de Stool (Queenie van de Zandt) as MC, together with the legendary Women in Voice band under the direction of Jamie Clark.

Every Women in Voice show is a superb mix of styles and genres, combining the talents of our nationally recognised, home-grown artists with the best new voices. A celebration of women in voice that is upfront, exceptional and totally unique, this sharing of great songs has audiences returning year after year.

Dates: 18th - 20th October, 2018
Powerhouse Theatre
119 Lamington Street
New Farm  QLD

Facebook info: WIV
Info & tickets: Brisbane Powerhouse

Friday 21 September 2018

Madame Lark is coming to the Gold Coast!

Lol in your face at this super charged line up of comedy talent for funny pants kids. Music, comedy, adventure and magic.

Featuring the Randy Feltface the amazing purple puppet comedian, Madame Lark, Mickey D and Chores.

Side splittingly funny!

Suitable for ages 5 – 10.


Friday 28th September, 2018
HOTA, Home of the Arts
135 Bundall Road,
Surfers Paradise  QLD
Info & tickets: HOTA

Presented by HOTA, Home of the Arts

Tuesday 13 March 2018

Mad Margaret returns in Opera Queensland's regional Queensland tour of Ruddigore or The Witch's Curse!

Lindy Hume’s critically acclaimed production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore or The Witch’s Curse, hits the road in 2018, giving regional Queensland the opportunity to jump into the weird and wonderful world of Victoriana. This irreverent romp through marriage, madness and mayhem had Brisbane audiences and reviewers laughing out loud and its colourful bunch of comic characters is sure to resonate with audiences across the state.

Shy and law-abiding, gentleman farmer Robin Oakapple is working up the courage to ask the beautiful Rose Maybud to marry him but he has a dark secret. He is heir to a terrible curse befalling all Baronets of Ruddigore – he must commit a dastardly deed every day or face a tortuous death!

Jam packed with musical gems such as the ‘Matter’ trio and Rose’s ‘Etiquette’ song, Ruddigore, or the Witch’s Curse will tour with the same cast members that had Brisbane audiences standing on their feet – Bryan Probets, Christine Johnston, Kanen Breen, Jason Barry-Smith, Roxane Hislop and Natalie Christie Peluso as Rose Maybud.


3rd & 4th August, 2018
Gold Coast

8th August, 2018
Rockhampton

11th August, 2018
Mackay

15th August, 2018
Townsville

18th August, 2018
Cairns

23rd August, 2018
Toowoomba

For information & tickets: Opera Queensland