Presented as part of New Annual
1st, 2nd, 3rd October 2026
Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle

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.

Date and Time

Thursday 1st October: 10.00am (preview) & 1.00pm
Friday 2nd October: 10.00am & 1.00pm
Saturday 3rd October: 10.00am Audio Described Show
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.

Accessibility

The Playhouse has wheelchair access to the foyer and auditorium via the lift on Hunter Street. Wheelchair accessibly seating is available in selected rows only. Accessible toilets are located at the foyer level.

Sensory Elements

Press Play is a relaxed, family friendly show. Audiences are welcome to move around, exit and enter, eat snacks, wear headphones, do whatever they need to be comfortable in our theatre. Fun, unexpected things will happen, but a visual story will be made available closer to the show dates if you would prefer to know what to expect.

Artists and Collaborators

Press Play is created and performed by Tantrum’s combined ensembles of young artists (8-18 years) and Accelerate Ensemble.

Creative Director: Penelope (Nel) Kentish
Sound/Audio Design: Huw Jones
Set and Costume Design: Jada Laurie
Technologist: Joshua Ingle
Lighting Design: Nik Lyons
Co-Directors: Barnaby Donaghy, Patrick Howlett, Jada Laurie, Alana McGaughey

“Tantrum is the best thing in New Annual”
“Best show I’ve ever seen!”
“You made the night MAGICAL”

– Feedback for Tantrum’s 2024 New Annual event WonderCity.

“Impeccable”
“This is beautiful work”
“Such a great night”

– Feedback for Tantrum’s 2025 New Annual event SURGE.

“You keep Newcastle weird and creative”

– A Tantrum Facebook fan

 

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.