Tivoli (2017)

TIVOLI has now been completed, nearly 3 hours of it. There was a time when the Tivoli Circuit reigned supreme. This was the home of variety theatre and vaudeville - where dancers, acrobats, comedians and ventriloquists trod the boards and where unclad beauties stood immobile. From the 1890s until the last show in 1966, Tivoli theaters around Australia vibrated with theatrical magic. In commemoration of Australia's Centenary of Federation, The Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Ballet joined forces for the first time to present an unforgettable celebration of the Tivoli Circuit. TIVOLI is Graeme Murphy's homage to this extraordinary period of variety theatre. Featuring 35 dancers from two of Australia's most celebrated companies, guest artists and singers and a 10-piece band, Tivoli is a large-scale production. Interweaving backstage scenes with onstage acts, Graeme Murphy's TIVOLI captures the essence of 'a night at the Tiv' whilst also telling the story of the era. The story opens in 1906, when the main character, a starry-eyed Jack, lands a job as a stagehand. This marks the beginning of a life-long love affair with the theatre, and we watch as he works his way to the top in the midst of great change - two World Wars, the roaring 20s and the depression years, the topless follies of the 50s and finally the disastrous advent of television. Drawing upon authentic music and authentic acts from Tivoli productions, TIVOLI reveals the humor, glamour and magic of the era to a whole new generation.