As the old axiom goes, Christmas is the MOST wonderful time of the year! What better way to show your love for the theatre fans in your life than with a theatre-related gift?
We’ve compiled a list of the top ten presents for any theatre loving friend or family member, and you know what makes this even greater? Some of these contribute directly to the arts industry in an extremely challenging time. Check out our top picks below and grab a last minute Christmas gift.
Season Tickets or Membership ($$)
A ticket to a show is good, but you know what is great? An entire season of shows, or the perks of a membership. From Queensland Ballet to Queensland Theatre and QPAC to La Boite Theatre Company, many of the professional, independent and community theatres offer subscription packages or season tickets that you can purchase from them directly. Check out your favourite venue or organisations’ website for more on their 2021 offerings.
Hire a Performer ($$$)
Prepared to up your game? Have a big event to splash the cash on? Why not take your present-ing to the next level by hiring a performer for your holiday event? Whether your loved one enjoys comedy, dance, impersonations or tribute shows, there is a performance type for every theatre lover.
Visit Music Theatre Australia Entertainment for more information.
“The Curtain Will Rise Again” T-Shirt ($)
The Actors’ and Entertainment Benevolent Fund and Victorian Actors Benevolent Trust have commissioned a very special tee to help support the industry during the pandemic. While the air may be clearing, the arts are still a way off finding their feet. Grabbing one of these funky fresh pieces benefits both the industry, and the person who gets to wear it! Show your support for the artists who rely on the industry, as all profits go back to helping the community.
Visit the ABF Queensland Website for Queensland Artists. Alternatively, VABT lists Victorian Artists.
Limited Edition ‘The Curtain Will Rise Again’ T-Shirts make the perfect gift and help support the industry!
Theatre in a Box ($)
Picture this: it’s Christmas Eve, there are snacks-a-plenty, a roast in the oven, and ‘Home Alone’ on the television in the background. It’s the perfect moment for a board game, and now you can inject a little theatre into your home with the newly released “Theatre in a Box”; assembled by a group of Australian thespians and game makers. Visit their website for more information.
Show Poster Prints ($)
Feeling a little crafty? If your loved one is a performer, source the poster of a show they’ve been in, or one they’ve been to see recently. Or even grab a copy of the Playbill. Get it printed at one of the many of your local printing stores and find a fantastic frame to make it look super slick.
Visit Frame Warehouse’s Website for some ideas.
Streamed Theatre Subscription ($$)
Still isolating? Or have you missed the chance to travel abroad and see shows far from home? Digital Theatre is the Netflix of the UK theatre scene and Broadway HD is the US equivalent. For less than the price of a ticket per month, you can gain access to a huge range of shows from various organisations.
Visit Digital Theatre or Broadway HD for more information on their shows or, if you’d rather support local, head to Queensland Theatre who’ve just released their own digital platform.
‘OTHELLO’ by William Shakespeare and presented by Oxford Playhouse,
English Touring Theatre, is being streamed on Digital Theatre.
Photography by Helen Murray
Broadway Merchandise ($$)
Official posters, clothes, programmes, keyrings and mugs; the variety of merchandise available is endless. If you know your loved one’s favourite show, check out the official store of Broadway merch and see what they have on offer.
Visit Playbill’s Online Store for more information.
Programme or Ticket Displayer ($$)
Theatre lovers are known to collect the ticket stubs and programmes from past shows – but they aren’t as well known for their organisation skills. Want to create a beautiful display of their favourite programmes? Grab a magazine/newspaper rack. How about the tickets? Shadow boxes work a treat. Custom print some labels or décor, and you’ve got yourself a handy theatre-related gift.
Visit IKEA and see what you can turn into a customised display!
Dancewear Voucher ($$)
If your theatre friend is a dancer, or they invest their time in musicals, why not give them the chance to update their wardrobe, or shoe-drobe. Find out who your local costume or dancewear supplier is, or when in doubt check out the Australian suppliers online.
Visit Dance Store Australia’s website for more information.
Merde Bag ($$)
The perfect bag for a night out at the theatre, the Merde is made to perfectly fit a show programme and tickets. “Merde” is another way of saying “Chookas”, and the bag is made from authentic black velour curtains (a little bit of theatre!).
Visit Scenery Bags website for more ideas.
While some of these more crafty ideas may not directly support the arts, they promote theatre and create conversation with the holiday guests in your home. Who knows, these might also convince a few friends to visit the theatre again!
What’s your perfect gift idea?
