PLAY READING: New Classics - theatrePUNK co., Backbone Festival

Title: New Classics

Presented By: theatrePUNK co. and Backbone Youth Arts

Genre: Queer theatre, new writing, play readings, poetry and creative development

Synopsis: New Classics is a creative development and community-building program celebrating trans and gender-diverse artists and allies in Magandjin. The four-week program combines a writer-in-residence initiative with play readings, scratch nights, workshops and poetry. Created to address a gap in queer programming in Magandjin, it supports trans and gender-diverse voices while building creative networks across Queensland.

Performance Dates and Program:

• Friday 2 October 2026 — Tiger Skin

• Friday 9 October 2026 — A Case Study in Bottoming

• Saturday 17 October 2026 — Poems from a Past Life

Performance Times:

• Friday 2 October — 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

• Friday 9 October — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM

• Saturday 17 October — 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

Performance Location and Address: The Workshop Space, Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills QLD 4170

Ticket Costs:

• General — $15

• Trans/First Nations — $5

• Additional booking fees apply.

• A day-pass discount may apply when tickets for multiple eligible Backbone Festival performances on the same day are added to one cart.

Ticket Link: Book New Classics

Warnings:

• Homophobia

• Transphobia

• Mentions of AIDS

• References to coercion

• References to domestic abuse

Recommended Age: The program contains mature themes and references to sex, hookup culture, coercion and domestic abuse. Patrons under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian because Backbone Festival operates within a licensed area.

Duration: Approximately two hours per session

Cast/Featured Artists:

Tiger Skin — Friday 2 October:

• Theo Hughes

• Liam Olsen

• Chelsea Doran

• Malika Savory

A Case Study in Bottoming — Friday 9 October:

• Vince Lapore

• Yves White

• Emma Stretton

• Finnley Quinn

• Yianni Sines

• Taine Harding

• Cristian Stanic

Poems from a Past Life — Saturday 17 October:

• Host — el waddingham

• Open-mic participants

• New Classics artists

Creative Team:

• Program Director — El Waddingham

• Writer-in-Residence and Tiger Skin playwright — Fen Carter

• Writer-in-Residence and A Case Study in Bottoming playwright — Cullyn Beckton

Production Website:

• New Classics

• theatrePUNK co. on Instagram

Other Information:

• All performances are relaxed and low-sensory.

• The program can accommodate access requirements within its workshops.

• Seven Hills Hub has 66 parking spaces, including two designated accessible spaces for permit holders.

• Patrons with access requirements should contact Backbone Youth Arts in advance at info@backbone.org.au or 07 3544 6139.

• Bus routes 212, 215 and 220 stop at Agnew Street, Stop 42, approximately 350 metres from the venue.

• Morningside railway station is closed for renovations; Norman Park is the closest operating railway station.