Love for One Night (2026)

2026 Season

After a sensational sold-out 2022 season, NORPA’s award winning Love for One Night returned by popular demand to the Eltham Hotel in 2026.

Directed by Julian Louis and created in his signature bold theatrical style, this captivating experience transforms a country pub into a wonderland of the everyday, where strangers meet, sparks fly and hearts are won and lost — sometimes all in a single night.

Blending dialogue, movement and song with live camera projections across the backdrop of the pub, and a live band, Love for One Night unfolds as a series of love stories. Funny, tender and a little bit wild, it’s a celebration of the messy, electric ways love finds us.

In a country pub after dark, anything can happen.

read the program

Read our Love For One Night program

AUDIENCE RESPONSE

“Absolutely spectacular! Hard to describe just how much we loved it. So so funny and joyful and atmospheric… A masterclass in theatre. I feel very lucky to have seen it.” Rachelle

“Loved the show, the storyline and characters. The staged setting at the Eltham Hotel was beautiful and brilliant. An all round fantastic experience. So glad it came back.” Therese

“Absolutely the best night out with the outdoor atmosphere and the incredible talented performance.” Trisha

“It was laugh out loud funny and dab your eyes sad. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo.”

“Thank you for creating another marvellous experience. So much joy!”

CREATIVE TEAM

Love For One Night was devised through a collaborative creative process
Director & Concept Julian Louis
Writer Janis Balodis
Cast Claire Atkins, Phil Blackman, Aurora Kurth, Belle Power, Jo Turner
Video Designer Poppy Walker
Sound Designer & Musical Director Matt Blackman
Lighting Designer Alex Torney
Costumes Vanessa Kellas
Original Production & Costume Designer  Charlotte Haywood
Movement Director Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal
Musicians Luke Bennett & Ben Cox
Camera Operator Marcus O’Brien
Director Mentorship Janie Gibson
Stage Manager Asline Adjalle
Assistant Stage Manager Tia Nelson

Production team
Show Production Manager Mikey Richardson
Camera Operator Marcus O’Brien
Video Switcher Jake Dix
Audio Engineer Steve Shaw
Head of Lighting Padi Bolliger
Technical Crew Jesse Scott and Lachlan McAulay
Front of House Managers Bobbie Field, Joss Lewis

Production photos by Kate Holmes and Kurt Petersen.

ORIGINAL 2022 PRODUCTION TEAM

Director & Devisor Julian Louis
Writer & Devisor Janis Balodis
Video Producer Mic Gruchy
Video Designer  Poppy Walker
Musical Director  Jamie Birrell
Musicians Luke Bennett & Ben Cox
Movement Consultant  Kimberley McIntyre
Production & Costume Designer  Charlotte Haywood
Lighting Designer  Alex Torney
Associate Artist Anna Marais
Associate Artist Jo Turner
Performers Lloyd Allison-Young, Claire Atkins, Phil Blackman, Zoe Gameau, Katia Molino
Stage Manager  Kylie Fuad & Adrienne Meg Lester
Assistant Stage Manager  Ava Jarrett
Production Manager Steve Gooding
Production Consultant Karl Johnson
Producer Sasha Bradbury
Camera Operator  Marcus O’Brien
Video Switchers Rohan Langford, Eden Crawford-Harriman
Audio Technician  Steve Shaw
Technicians  Rich Morrod, Patrick Bollinger, Andrew Thompson, Nat Rolls-Gordon

presentation history

2022 Premiere Season at The Eltham Hotel
2026 Return Season at The Eltham Hotel

SUPPORTED BY

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the NSW Government through Create NSW.