22/8/22

Everything from classical strings and world music, to cabaret, jazz and indie-pop.

Part of the UK / Australia Season, a major cultural exchange, House of Oz celebrates the Season theme “Who Are we Now?” in its richly diverse programming. The schedule is family-skewed in daytime (Circa’s Carnival of the Animals, The Listies’ Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark), serious in the afternoon (EGG, FEMME) and heaps of fun by night (BROAD by Geraldine Quinn, Gabbi Bolt, Haus Party, OZmosis).

MUSICAL LINE-UP FROM MONDAY 22 AUGUST – further info below

☆ MUSICAL THEATRE: special event

MICHAELA BURGER: One of Australia’s leading voices and star of hit Fringe show Rouge at Assembly Hall shares tales of Greek heritage and beautiful original song, hosting a 5-course tasting menu for the Taste Australia dinner on Monday 22 August. Cabaret sensation Reuben Kaye hosted a triumphant Taste Australia on 15 August, watch here.

☆ SOLO SHOWS

MITCH TAMBO: The Gamilaraay world music sensation and Australia’s Got Talent 2019 finalist who took the nation by storm with his version of You’re The Voice.

BIRDEE: Australian indie-pop's brightest newcomer with fabulously produced original songs and great styling, influenced by her Chinese / Greek / Russian heritage. Watch BIRDEE on YouTube.

☆ STRINGS VIRTUOSI

THE GRIGORIYAN BROTHERS: Kazakh-born classical guitar and strings virtuosi who have created a musical masterpiece celebrating objects from the National Museum of Australia. Watch The Grigoryan Brothers on YouTube. 

JOSEPH TAWADROS: Egyptian-Australian oud virtuoso returns to House of Oz for a jazz-inspired performance with the Grigoryan Brothers. Watch Joseph Tawadros Live at the Sydney Opera House on YouTube.

☆ MUSICAL COMEDY

GERALDINE QUINN: Returning after a 12-year hiatus, the vocal and comedic genius and Melbourne International Comedy Awards nominee brings her new show BROAD to the Fringe. Watch Geraldine at House of Oz here.

GABBI BOLT: After sold-out seasons in Australia, rising star Gabbi Bolt (Best Newcomer at this year’s Sydney Comedy Festival) brings her unique style of musical comedy to the stage in her first solo UK show. Watch Gabbi Bolt on YouTube.

Images and videos of all the artists in this release can be found here.

MICHAELA BURGER

Festival Fringe-goers this year will be familiar with Michaela as the star performer in Rouge, showing at the Assembly Hall throughout August. For one night only, this musical powerhouse will appear at House of Oz to host their final Taste Australia dinner with chef-in-residence, David Lee. This is an outstanding opportunity for music and food lovers to combine their passions as Michaela celebrates her Greek heritage with stories of immigration and upheaval sprinkled with moving and thoughtful songs that guests can both hear and taste. Guests will be served a unique modern Australian menu interpreting native Australian ingredients with a striking Greek accent.

Watch Michaela Burger perform A Migrant’s Son on YouTube.

Taste Australia with Michaela Burger

Aug 22, 8pm

Show duration: 55 minutes / Suitability: 14+

Tickets: £75 

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/taste-australia-with-michaela-burger?day=22-08-2022

MITCH TAMBO

Australian world music star Mitch Tambo stages a dramatic, family-friendly show, incorporating dance and didgeridoo as well as showcasing his wonderful voice and stories. A proud Gamilaraay man, Mitch blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production, and is a new voice for a generation producing music that cuts across culture. The multi-talented recording artist first stunned the nation when he performed a spine-tingling First Nations version of the iconic John Farnham anthem You're The Voice on the 2019 Finale of Australia’s Got Talent. Mitch’s performance was powerful and won the hearts of Australia as well as a host of other countries. The time was right for Mitch and he was globally embraced. His album Guurama-Li soared up the iTunes World Music charts in Australia, the UK, US and Europe reaching #1 in Australia, #1in Denmark, #1 Malta, #2 in the UK and #34 in the US. In Tambo’s music you will find great sentiment and stories relating to his own personal journey and story such a Dreamtime Princess which is a celebration of womanhood and challenges men to reconsider how they act, engage and converse with women. He aims to use his voice and platform to raise awareness against bias and celebrate the achievements of women as one of his key causes.

Watch Mitch Tambo on YouTube.

Mitch Tambo

Aug 23 & 24, 5pm & 11.30pm

Show duration: 1 hour 15 minutes / Suitability: 14+

Tickets: £12 / Concessions: £10

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Mitch%20Tambo%22

THE GRIGORYAN BROTHERS

To mark the National Museum of Australia’s 20th anniversary, the nation’s most respected classical guitarists, the Grigoryan Brothers, composed 18 musical works inspired by items from the museum’s vast collection: each accompanied by a high-definition 3D video projection of the item. From ancient Arnhem Land ochre to Don Bradman’s first cricket bat; from a convict love token to a lifebuoy from the Tampa, This Is Us is an evocative and unforgettable audio-visual journey through Australia’s complex history and heritage.

In addition to the three shows above, siblings Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are also performing one-off show with oud-master Joseph Tawadros. Their collaboration celebrates lifelong friendships, a shared common sense of humour, and musical sensibilities that defy explanation. With their collective Egyptian and Russian heritages, rigorous training in Eastern and Western classics, fluency in jazz and traditional improvisational styles, their music is a beautiful portrait of contemporary Australia.

Watch The Grigoryan Brothers on YouTube.

The Grigoryan Brothers: This is Us

Aug 24, 12.30pm; Aug 26 & 27, 10.30am

Show duration: 1 hour 30 minutes / Suitability: 12+

Tickets: £15 / Concessions: £12.50

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/grigoryan-brothers-this-is-us?day=24-08-2022

Watch Joseph Tawadros Live at the Sydney Opera House on YouTube. 

Joseph Tawadros and The Grigoryan Brothers

Aug 27, 6.30pm

Show duration: 1 hour / Suitability: 14+

Tickets: £15 / Concessions: £12

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/joseph-tawadros-and-the-grigoryan-brothers?day=27-08-2022

BIRDEE

Based in Sydney, Australia, indie-pop’s brightest newcomer BIRDEE channels and blends her own lineage of Chinese, Greek and Russian origins to craft her own sound and stories. BIRDEE has taken the time in the studio to refine her sound as an artist – writing and recording at Glebe Studios – host to an impressive list of artists including the likes of international stars David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, INXS, as well as cult Australian acts such as The Whitlams and Choirboys. Outside the booth, BIRDEE has been reviving local live music with her high-upbeat, high-energy persona. Pulling Strings is BIRDEE’S second contribution to the bedroom pop world followed by her latest song Monday Throwaway which have both been collaboration works with Sydney Artist, Toby Anagnostis (Butter Bath) who has teamed up, working with Nick Littlemore (PNAU, Empire of the Sun).  She has worked with many artists such as Heimanu and Taiyo and has been supporting acts for musicians like Abby Bella May, Dutch the Rapper and D minor. She has also been showcased on the Morning Sunrise Show and has been interviewed and played on radio stations such as Triple J unearthed and Triple J. Recognised as one of Australia’s most promising emerging artists, she intends to continue collaborating and expanding her music style.

Watch BIRDEE on YouTube.

BIRDEE

Aug 22, 11pm; Aug 23 & 24, 10pm

Show duration: 55 minutes / Suitability: 16+

Tickets: £12 / Concessions: £10

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/birdee?day=22-08-2022

GERALDINE QUINN

Nominated for Most Outstanding Show and the Golden Gibbo Award at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Awards, Geraldine Quinn brings her powerful vocals back to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in 12 years. Her one-woman show BROAD channels the brassy broads she admired in her youth, taking the audience on a hilarious and thought-provoking journey through the challenges of womanhood.

Watch Geraldine at House of Oz here.

Geraldine Quinn: BROAD

Aug 19-21, 23-28, 8.30pm

Show duration: 55 minutes / Suitability: 18+

Tickets: £12 / Concessions: £10

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/geraldine-quinn-broad

GABBI BOLT

After sold-out seasons in Australia, rising star Gabbi (Ratatouille, The TikTok Musical) brings her unique style of musical comedy to the stage in her first solo UK show. Armed with a keyboard, mic and a fear of disappointing people, this songstress puts the sing in chasing validation. No topic is off limits: climate change, feminism, why small towns have too many pubs. “Gabbi is legitimately a good composer and lyricist” (Wayne Brady, Whose Line Is It Anyway). Winner: Best Newcomer, 2022 Sydney Comedy Festival.

Watch Gabbi Bolt on YouTube.

Gabbi Bolt: I Hope My Keyboard Doesn’t Break

Aug 23-29, 7pm

Show duration: 55 minutes / Suitability: 16+

Tickets: £12 / Concessions: £10

Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/gabbi-bolt-i-hope-my-keyboard-doesn-t-break?day=23-08-2022

☆

HOUSE OF OZ

Venue 73

41a South Clerk Street, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9NZ

Houseofoz.co.uk

House of Oz is at King’s Hall from Friday 5th – Monday 29th August hosting live performances and cultural experiences, with a special focus on the culinary arts. Drama, live music, comedy, cabaret, circus, art, film, poetry, family shows & kids’ workshops; all authentically and unmistakably Australian, with a fun tone of voice. House of Oz welcomes artists and audiences alike, promoting entertainment, dialogue, learning and of course an intense desire to visit Australia. This all-Australian showcase for the creative arts in all forms is part of the important UK/Australia Season 2021-22, the largest ever cultural exchange between the UK and Australia.
 
UK/AUSTRALIA SEASON
The UK/Australia Season is landmark cultural exchange, a joint initiative by the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Season highlights the breadth of partnership between Australia and the UK and aims to deepen and extend cultural connections. The Season started in September 2021 and concluded in March 2022 in Australia and will conclude in December 2022 in the UK. The theme ‘Who Are We Now?’ reflects on our history, explores our current relationship, and imagines our future together. The Season features programming for all ages, celebrating the diversity of cultures and languages in both countries. It emphasises Australia’s First Nations voices, enables cultural exchange with Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, and the diverse societies that have emerged in both Australia and the UK through migration.
www.ukaustraliaseason.com

Image credits for Geraldine, Gabbi and Joseph: Adrian Bell @anbintheframe