Bethany Simons

Ding! Talk about the little show that could… ‘Reception: The Musical’ is playing at Brisbane Music Festival next Saturday 18 Dec at 4pm. Excitement! Your office Christmas party sorted! We’re ready to roll like a swivel chair on a ramp, so book your tickets here: https://brismusicfestival.com/reception-the-musical/

🎶📣 Just a reminder: I can entertain your household in 5min blocks via SIMONS SAYS. Original ditties, characters, paddocks, imaginative play with household objects. (FYI I totally use the Transformation Game in my adult drama classes, so even if you don’t have young ones to secretly watch with, you can tune in. No shame. Creativity is healthy at any age!) Link to all 6 episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdAQAu_HkeyxuPNTaVy2oI03_OsM_JfSO

Wedding announcement!!* ‘Marriage of Figaro’ for wind ensemble and solo actor (me) opens tomorrow! Take an opera, cut the singing, play all the characters. That sort of thing. Here are the show details (sorry, I’ve been flitting about learning lines and being 6 different people):

*MELBOURNE! 11am and 2pm tomorrow Wed 24 March at Melbourne Recital Centre. Epic!

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2021/mozart-figaro-for-winds/

*SYDNEY! 12.30pm this Thursday 25 March at City Recital Hall (in the CBD FYI). Cheap tickets!

https://www.cityrecitalhall.com/whats-on/events/a-little-lunch-music-figaro-for-winds-australian-national-academy-of-music/

*MELBOURNE! If you can’t manage last minute matinees (understandable), we’re also doing an evening show on Tue 30 March at Abbotsford Convent. Pretty!

https://anam.com.au/whats-on/events/figaro

*not mine 😉

Back in a performance space. 💞
(Shows in Melbourne *and* Sydney next week. WHAT).
Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM)

Apparently I’ll be on ABC 24 at 8.30pm tonight as part of a program called ‘New Normal’. I can’t remember what I said, but they filmed me walking through grass, caressing it. Like I always do.

📺 Hold your imaginary horses - Episode 6 is here. Yee-haw! Thanks for the shirt, Mum. (Camera and wardrobe. What a legend).

SIMONS SAYS: Episode 6 - 'Giddy-Up' Hold your horses. It's time for riding lessons and a full-plated transformation game. Created and presented by Bethany Simons [2020]. bethanysimons.com

📺 Episode 4 is here. Made for kids but, hey - imagination don’t discriminate!

SIMONS SAYS: Episode 4 - Branch Out A climbing, singing and 'recycling' adventure. Created and presented by Bethany Simons [2020]. bethanysimons.com

G’day, kids! Episode 3. Dedicated to my nephew Jude - a little farmer who could talk about animals until the cows come home. (Also, look at Dubbo!! Talk about transformation game - from dust bowl to glorious green!)

SIMONS SAYS - Episode 3: On the Farm A charming farming adventure full of singing animals and egg-cellent games. Created and presented by Bethany Simons [2020]. bethanysimons.com

📺 Hey, kids! Episode 2 of ‘Simons Says’ is here. Jump on the bus and milk that imagination of yours.

SIMONS SAYS: Episode 2 - 'Milk It' Board the bus, sing with the animals, and milk that imagination of yours. Created and presented by Bethany Simons [2020]. bethanysimons.com

📺 Here you go, kids! Episode 1 of ‘Simons Says’ - a little home video project for my nephews (which escalated quickly because playing is serious business, and punny titles are everything). Big thanks to Mum for holding the phone.

SIMONS SAYS: Episode 1 - 'Imagine That' Original songs, characters and transformation games - get on 'bored'! Created and Presented by Bethany Simons [2020]. bethanysimons.com

Nan (Jan 1933 - Feb 2020)
Beautiful Nan passed away last week. My hero, favourite storyteller, inspiration, and friend.

I have no words to describe the loss, just grateful for a lifetime of sweet memories, warm hugs, little stories and wise words which will continue to shape my world view. “Always choose to see the good in everybody”. “Love does not divide, it multiplies”. “Wear lipstick - it makes a difference”. 💕

We’ll gather to remember Nan’s life at Dubbo Baptist Church, 2pm on Friday 14 February. “Dawn” they called her. She certainly brought light...

When Peter plays the overture, I just...put my feet up. Reception The Musical is being resurrected for Port Fairy Spring Music Festival next Sat 12 Oct. Big crowd, and a few tickets left if you fancy seeing administrative cabaret at 5:15pm in a quaint fishing village. http://portfairyspringfest.com.au/event/reception-the-musical/

I'm running a Stage Acting workshop for high school students tomorrow on the Mornington Peninsula. 10am - 4pm at Bayview Church, Rosebud VIC. Tickets are $50 and include lunch. If you're not soaking up the weekend waves, come along!

Bethany Simons - News Are you a budding actor, or do you know someone who is? Bethany will be running a Stage Acting workshop on the Mornington Peninsula this March. With a focus on improvisation, character work and stage craft, the program is ideal for high school aged students.10am - 4pmSaturday 17 March, 2018Bayview C...

WOW. Last night will remain a highlight in the 53 performance history of the show. Packed house, and cheering like it was a rock concert (when, in fact, it is a show about sticky tape and bells)!! Last show tonight. There are still tickets. Would love for you to join the fun! Thanks to everyone for your support. It's been a dream xx

Reception: The Musical
5.30pm, Sun 26 Nov
The Butterfly Club
https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/reception-the-musical-2017

The countdown is ON! Two and a half weeks until our Melbourne performances of 'Reception: The Musical'. Catch us on stage 5.30pm* Sat 25 and Sun 26 Nov at The Butterfly Club. (*Yes, 5.30pm - so you can still make it to that Christmas party. Heck, why not bring the Christmas party to the office party?!) You know the drill. Limited seating. Free lamingtons. Book now, etc etc.

Reception: The Musical | The Butterfly Club This celebration of administration tells the story of a receptionist who finds joy in the manic world of customer service. Inspired by true stories from behind the front desk, this uplifting, award-winning cabaret comedy is the office memo you don't want to miss!

HOLD THE PHONE! With sold-out seasons, national tours, awards, nominations, and a spot on the 2015 Drama Playlist in its top drawer, Reception: The Musical returns to The Butterfly Club where it all began! See you on Sat 25 & Sun 26 November, Melbourne!

https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/reception-the-musical-2017

Reception: The Musical | The Butterfly Club This celebration of administration tells the story of a receptionist who finds joy in the manic world of customer service. Inspired by true stories from behind the front desk, this uplifting, award-winning cabaret comedy is the office memo you don't want to miss!

On Wednesday, actor and writer Bethany Simons (DCS Class of 2003) visited our Year 9 Geography classes. As the students are looking at wellbeing and quality of life as geographical issues, Bethany shared her recent experiences of travelling in India and the Middle East. Her stories of living in a refugee camp in Bethlehem reminded students that freedom, access, choice and education are privileges that not all young people in the world enjoy.

Almost ready for you, Dubbo! Brrring brrring your friends. Reception: The Musical Sat 7 Oct, 8pm. Tickets: https://www.drtcc.com.au/upcoming-events/526-reception-the-musical?eventaction=view

Back in Australia! Smiled at Sydney, stopped for hugs in Dubbo, waved to Melbourne, and now I'm off to the gorgeous seaside community of Port Fairy to teach a weekend workshop. Acting and Directing, 9.45am - 5.00pm Sat 25 and Sun 26 March. If you have no plans (or mediocre ones), catch a train and join us for one of the days!

Tickets: $45-$60.
Email [email protected] to book your spot.

PS Image does not accurately reflect workshop venue.

Cool here (minus 20), so I spend most nights in the theatre. Yes. I see plays. Yes. In Bulgarian. Yes. I make up the stories. (And then I make friends with the person next to me to see if I was on the right track).

In NYC this week, my friend Steve and I were in Washington Square, when we were approached by improv comedians filming a pilot where they write songs for strangers. We signed on the dotted line, and they rolled camera: asked our names, where we were from, why we were in New York. I said I was on my radical sabbatical and they both said, "RADICAL SABBATICAL?!" The accordion guy started a vamp and they made up a song on the spot... the chorus was a winner - "Radical Sabbatical - hoo ha!"

National Day of Action today to get arts on the election agenda. "Getting the audience to stand up immediately engages audience members. It's a call to action, they're there, they're engaged and invested in it." Sign the petition here: http://www.istandwiththearts.com/

Election 2016: National day of action kicks off campaign against 'ritual sacrifice of the arts' As a national day of action against arts funding cuts kicks off on Friday, an all-star cast of performers, writers and artists are joining forces to mark the "bleak midwinter" for culture in Australia.

This is what the end of the road looks like, kids. Melbourne Fringe

This group of hospital workers laughed so well last night, I almost lost it. Final show of the tour tonight and it falls on the 20th of May, Eliza Doolittle Day. (My Fair Lady forever!)
See you at the Old Fire Station at Bendigo Capital Theatre at 8pm.

We're based in Bendigo this week, and each day we drive to little towns to have a pub meal, perform in gorgeous old halls and chat with locals over jelly slice and scones. We never know who is going to turn up, because tickets only go on sale when the lady arrives with a tin an hour before the show! So far, in Elmore and Pyramid Hill, we've had to put out extra rows of chairs. 'Reception: The Musical' - smashing box office records across the Goldfields region. (I'm so happy my cheeks are going to pop!) Thanks, Melbourne Fringe and The Capital

I could make a song about the list of towns we've toured to...
THIS WEEK: Elmore, Pyramid Hill, Heathcote and Bendigo. Such fond memories of touring to these places with 'The Weather and Your Health' in 2011. (The sausage rolls were seriously good that time, so I'm keen to try their lamingtons).

Reception The Musical Capital Venues & Events

Singing about friends in love instead of broken down photocopiers. (That's a nice change!) My new pal Maddie and I re-wrote and arranged this classic for our friends' first dance as husband and wife.
PS 'scuse the French...

La Vie en Rose by Bethany and Maddie A special wedding present for Penelope and Rob ( ), as performed at their beautiful wedding on 23/4/16. Congratulations you two! Special lyrics w...

CUTE. Reception: The Musical is 'calling' in at Trafalgar Public Hall this Friday and Saturday night as part of the Melbourne Fringe On Tour program. My dress will look good on that stage. (And you and your friends could look so good in that audience!) https://melbournefringe.com.au/on-tour

Phone manner. It's all about the lipstick.
Can't wait for Wagga Wagga this Sunday!
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=181334

What a HIGH. I took part in the Honey Pot program at Adelaide Fringe over the weekend. As a delegate, I squeezed in 14 shows in 4 days, plus networking events, catch ups and out of town adventures. Feeling a bit like this girl. (I imagine...)

Wagga Wagga. WAGGA. Whatever you like to call it. We're coming for you!!! 'Reception: The Musical'. One afternoon only. Be there with BELLS. (Though, I've got that covered if you'd rather be a little more subtle).
Sun 6 March, 3pm. The Basement Theatre. More info: http://bethanysimons.com/cms-news

Bethany Simons - News

LOVE this. Having Joe as a brother is kind of like being related to something that escaped from the Louvre...

Melbourne.

DOUBLE DING! We're off to the Southern Peninsula as part of an award winning double bill for Melbourne Fringe On Tour tomorrow night. Here's the line up:
7.30pm 'Reception - The Musical' | 8.50pm 'WOMANz'
It'll be a frenzy of paperwork, lamingtons...and booty-shaking! (We're a bit excited). Hope to see you in Rosebud at our last show for 2015. x

Melbourne Fringe | News ... ... Nov 06, 2015 ... FRINGE ON TOUR - ROSEBUD ... Melbourne Fringe on Tour delivers a selection of the best independent shows from last year’s Festival to outer metropolitan and regional venues th...

Everybody, oh everybody! Tune in to ABC Classic FM tonight to hear Peter de Jager ('Reception: The Musical' Peter, my favourite student Peter!) playing his heart out/blurring his hands over the keyboard in his recital for the Young Performer of the Year Awards in Hobart. Broadcast kicks off at 8pm. Listen live here: http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2015/10/30/4340840.htm

(Special shout out to my other ANAM pals who are in the finals. So proud!)

ABC Classic FM - Evenings - YPA: Round 1 Recital (Concert 2)

London > Melbourne > Ballarat. That's right. I'm back from holidays and ready to take your calls at the Ballarat Cabaret Festival on Wed and Thur night. Brrring brrring it on!

Ballarat Cabaret Festival | Reception the Musical Inspired by true stories from behind the front desk, Reception: The Musical tells the tale of a receptionist who finds joy in the manic world of customer service, stationery orders and thinking on her swivel chair.