Nuworks theatre made in australia

24/08/2026

edit of Machine for Mikhaela

24/08/2026

12/07/2026

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
A PUNK OPERA……GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE…THE EMPTY SPACE
There is a theatrical tradition of adapting John Gay’s The Beggars’ Opera. Mark Howard’s reimagining, A Punk Opera, follows in the footsteps of Bertolt Brecht.
In mid-1970s Camden, underworld fixer Nigel Peachum decides to branch out into the music industry. To clear his way to the top, he engages crooked policeman Copper Green to get rid of the current chart-topper Stagger Lee. A complication is that Stagger Lee has, in secret, married Nigel’s daughter Liza J. This is, however, a culture in which no-one can be trusted, and Copper Green is only too willing to accept bribes from Stagger Lee to allow him to live, and Stagger is hardly faithful to his new bride having arranged a bogus priest to perform the wedding.
The accuracy of the title A Punk Opera is debatable. As much of the dialogue is spoken (albeit in an occasional arch blank verse style), it is closer to a musical. The music is not really punk. The song "F—k the N.M.E." is close to a pastiche of The S*x Pistol’s "E.M.I." but overall, the style of music resembles mainstream rock—saxophone solos are a regular feature. A possible influence, in terms of lyrical content and musical style, might be The Kinks ("Come Dancing" and "Where Have All the Good Times Gone?").
Perhaps it is my imagination, but Nuworks Theatre may be acknowledging the works of their Australian countryman Nick Cave. Cave has covered the song "Stagger Lee", and his songs "Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "People Ain’t No Good" may have influenced the opera.
A Punk Opera is not a celebration of the ‘do it yourself’ philosophy which drove the punk movement. None of the characters declares the existing music scene to be sterile and decides to start their own group. Rather Mark Howard’s script describes the bleak, hopeless environment which prompted punk attitudes. Instead of being a Malcolm McLaren-type iconoclast tackling the establishment, Nigel articulates Thatcherism, proclaiming there is no such thing as society and encouraging a dog-eat-dog attitude. Rather than self-reliance, the characters embody an anarchic ‘greed is good’ philosophy.
A Punk Opera, like The Rocky Horror Show, depicts jaded attitudes in an inoffensive entertaining manner. There is more than a little pantomime in Stagger Lee’s shameless and hilarious over-the-top flirting with the audience.
A Punk Opera is not really an opera or punk, but is a lot of fun.

12/07/2026

THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS…..THE BUXTON FRINGE…
Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to see this company’s award-winning show ‘The Shoemaker of Havana’ telling the story of the Cuban missile crisis, which was in my option worthy of a West End stage. So, I was very excited to see the company return to Buxton this year with two new shows. My expectations were also very high and I’m pleased to say that Nuworks did not disappoint.
In this production the company have turned their attention to the life and times of American folk singer and civil rights activist Woody Guthrie.
Guthrie’s story is presented via music, song and narration, with the 9 strong cast playing Guthrie and the people who knew him best; his mother, various wives, his friends and fellow musicians
This is a highly professional performance, the cast all have excellent voices and bring energy and movement to the show while using the challenging space very effectively to deliver brilliant storytelling.

12/07/2026

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS: NUWORKS THEATRE: MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Nuworks Theatre comes from a land down under, so it is surprising that, at the GM Fringe, they pay tribute to an American icon and a style of music associated with the UK and New York.
This Machine Kills Fascists is inspired by the life and works of dust-bowl balladeer Woody Guthrie, which presents a number of challenges. Account has to be taken of modern sensitivities, so characters in David Dunn’s script remind the audience Guthrie was a product of his time and environment which may account for his occasional use of offensive terms and his unenlightened attitude towards women.
A charismatic Spencer Ballantine presents Guthrie as someone with a very high opinion of his own talents and a dismissive attitude towards other artists. A theme of the musical is, therefore, the need to accept that Guthrie’s massive talent justifies overlooking his deficiencies. To an extent, Nuworks Theatre struggles to accept this viewpoint with characters regularly stepping forward to point out it is easier to admire than to like Guthrie.
Dunn manages to unearth some fascinating connections. Everyone knows that Guthrie influenced Bob Dylan, but his links to Arthur Miller and Donald Trump (no, really) come as a complete surprise.
This Machine Kills Fascists is the reverse of a juke-box musical. The only time an actual song by Woody Guthrie is performed is when an extract from "This Land is Your Land" is used to demonstrate how broadcasters would censor verses critical of the status quo to create a more positive version. Dunn, along with Lydia Saroto and Michael Saroto-Noble, create their own songs either inspired by the same events which prompted Guthrie (such as the Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) or borrowing his phrases or titles.
The new songs are more urgent and upbeat than dry dustbowl ballads, and director Dunn creates a lively atmosphere which gets the most out of them. The cast serve as chorus as well as taking on individual roles and, as a group, perform the songs as if at a hoedown, moving in unison, hand-clapping and creating a party vibe.
An unflinching assessment of the central character with a charismatic lead performance and a daring use of original songs makes This Machine Kills Fascists an unusual but compelling musical.
Reviewer:
David Cunningham

09/07/2026

“I said it was daft but if you want a review, it was *UCKING DAFT!” 🔥

We’ve had great fun touring A PUNK OPERA around the UK!! Don’t miss your final chance to see this show: tonight 8pm at St Mary’s Church and tomorrow 8.15pm at Greater Manchester Fringe !! 🎸