Seasons

The New Musical Company: The Awakening (24-26 June 2026)

A brand new musical composed and directed by Alexandre Diaconu, ‘The Awakening’ is a science fiction musical comedy that’s funny, moving, and deeply human. When Ellie, a young widow, finds her solitude disrupted by the arrival of two beings from another world, she’s drawn into a mission that is as absurd as it is life changing. Blending humour, emotion, and inner awakening, the show takes the audiences on an unexpected journey through grief, love, and renewal.

When: 24-26 of June, 2026, at 20:00

Where: Auderghem Cultural Centre – Foyer Hall

Book, Music & Lyrics: Alexandre Diaconu

Stage Director: Alexandre Diaconu

Musical Director: Beatriz Drummond

Tickets at: https://www.thenewmusicalcompany.com/theawakening

Promo: Early Bird Tickets 10% OFF with the code: AWAKE2026 (limited promotion)

ETC: La Périchole (2-5 July 2026)

The European Theatre Club presents ‘La Périchole’ by Jacques Offenbach, a brilliant operetta brought to you by the producers of ‘La Verbena de la Paloma’ and The Grand Duchess of Gérolstein’.

La Périchole is Offenbach at his most irresistible, blending comic exuberance with moments of genuine tenderness. Inspired by the real-life Peruvian street singer Micaela Villegas, it tells the story of a pair of impoverished musicians in Lima, Peru. Their attempts to be together are constantly thwarted by a wicked Spanish viceroy.

This production is directed by Andy Fisk and features one of Offenbach’s most joyful musical scores, conducted by Steven De Mesmaeker with a live orchestra, full chorus, and some of the best soloists in Brussels musical theatre.

Performance in French with surtitles in English and Spanish.

Venue: Comédie Royale Claude Volter, Avenue des Frères Legrain 98 – 1150 Brussels

Performances:
2nd to 4th July 2026 at 8pm.
Matinées on Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July at 2.30pm.

Ticket sales: Full price: 25€; Student/Child 22€
www.billetweb.fr/perichole

ITG: Monkey Business (29 Sept-3 Oct)

Monkey Business is an evening in two parts.

We start, obviously, with the last point on the agenda: Any Other Business, which brings together a variety of voices and writings looking at forced migration. Why would anyone leave the place they call home?

The evening concludes with Colin Teevan’s highly acclaimed short play, Kafka’s Monkey, setting the spotlight firmly on questions of identify, memory, and forced assimilation. What is it that makes one forget – or at least try to forget – home?

Info and Tickets

Post expires on Sunday October 4th, 2026

ECC: Entertaining Angels (14-24 Oct 2026)

In Richard Everett’s Entertaining Angels, newly widowed vicar’s wife Grace is struggling to come to terms with her loss of status and the impending loss of her home as the new vicar is waiting to move in. She enjoys the freedom to say exactly what she thinks at the expense of being ‘difficult’ until her missionary sister arrives with a life-changing revelation. A sharp, warm-hearted comedy about grief, faith and the secrets a marriage can hold.

You can book your tickets at https://www.billetweb.fr/entertaining-angels.

Doors open at 19.30 and the bar will be open until shortly before curtain up.  The show starts promptly at 20.00 and should finish by 22.30.  Given the configuration of the space, we cannot admit latecomers.

Post expires on Sunday October 25th, 2026

The New Musical Company: The Awakening (14-16 Oct 2026)

An original new musical comedy, written and directed by Alexandre Diaconu.

14th,15th and 16th of October at 20.00 (8pm)

Venue: Centre Culturel d’Auderghem , Boulevard du Souverain 183, Bxl 1160. Googlemap

Two aliens arrive. One woman begins to return to life.

After burying her husband, Ellie retreats into the apartment they shared, unable to imagine a life beyond grief. Then Argo and Arpi materialise beside her bed. They are visitors from another galaxy, one disciplined and severe, the other affectionate, chaotic, and fascinated by broccoli.

Their mission leads to ETADD, the secret agency where Ellie works. Its director has captured the Monarch of Velarrion Prime, whose absence threatens their world. To rescue him, the aliens need Ellie’s access, her trust, and a series of increasingly improbable disguises.

What begins as a forced alliance becomes an unexpected friendship. While Ellie teaches Argo and Arpi what it means to be human, their chaotic presence draws her back towards laughter, connection, and the beauty of ordinary life.

Link to Box Office

Post expires on Friday October 16th, 2026

ITG: The House of Bernarda Alba (9,10,15 Nov)

The Irish Theatre Group asbl is auditioning for its March 2026 production, directed by Jane McBride.

Frank McGuinness’ version of Lorca’s classic text is intense and shockingly still relevant today.

There is a diverse array of complex multi-layered roles for women between 18-80+

No particular accent is required but fluency in English is essential.

Auditions will take place at The Warehouse (rue Waelhem, 73) :

  • Sunday 9 November at 14:00
  • Monday 10 November at 19:00
  • Saturday 15 November at 15:00

Drop us an email ( itg.asbl@gmail.com ) and let us know when you would like to audition.

ETC: Chers Parents (2-18 June 2026)

ETCetera is delighted to announce auditions for its Spring 2027 production: Chers Parents , directed by Janet Middleton, to be performed in French and English at La Petite salle, Auderghem Cultural Centre 24th-27th February and 3rd-6th March 2027.

When the Gauthier parents win the lottery, the family’s resentments, hypocrisies and secrets are revealed with dramatic effect.

The early audition date is due to the nature of the piece: how the play will be divided between the two languages will depend upon the casting of the piece. In addition Janet has prior commitments which means that the rehearsal process will be sporadic and only fully commence in mid November.

Dates
Tuesday 2nd June:  7.30pm
Thursday 4th June:  7.30pm
Sunday 7th June:  11.00am
Thursday 18th June:  7.30pm

Location: Rue des Atrebates 27, 1040 Brussels

Casting: The Gauthier Family:

The Parents:
In their late 60s, Jeanne, Vincent The casting of these 2 roles will be that one parent is a native French speaker, the other a native English speaker. The designation of these 2 roles will directly affect the French/English division of the play.

The Children:
Pierre: the eldest, and seemingly most successful child. Married with 2 children and a successful Eco business.
Jules: younger brother, wants to write his epic novel, but for now is a poor and somewhat unsuccessful journalist supported by his parents.
Louise: youngest child. Trainee doctor who cannot settle to a speciality, single with only her cat for company and not entirely happy with her life. Slightly dippy.

Rehearsals will be in Etterbeek.

For further information, to get the address for auditions and to let us know when you would like to audition, please contact Janet Middleton: 0495 94 2991 / email: middletonjanetk@gmail.com

Butties 2026

Thanks a lot to Róisín, Kevin and Rachel for hosting the Butties 2026 in their beautiful garden.

Awards and winners (in bold)

Best Props

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Isabelle Deneyer & team
  • Grease (Green Parrot)
  • Homunculus / Trash Day (ECC)
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Cat Harris & Isabelle Deneyer
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Sandy Holderbach & team

Best Costumes

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Tonia Jolly & team
  • Grease (Green Parrot, Mar 2026): Mary Williams, Elena Shcherbina
  • Homunculus (ECC): Mary Williams, Elizabeth Tanghe
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Noémie Léonard, Chloé Quaresme
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Fiona McGinnis, Sheila Hewitt, Hannah Riley, Jennifer Gee

Best Newcomer

  • Eleanor Poppy Reeve
  • Eleonora Fusco
  • Jacey Schult
  • Rosette Seck
  • Timothy Agotha

Best Set Design & Construction

  • Grease (Green Parrot): Richard Milsom, Peter Lemerle
  • Home, I’m Darling (ECC): Steve O’Byrne, Jeremy Larkin, Kateryna Sakhanevych, Conrad Toft, & team
  • Homunculus (ECC): Tom Mallan, Patrick Maher, Becky McKay, Erica Faller, & team
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Richard Craddock
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Michael de Prins, Conrad Toft, Oscar Feen, Steve O’Byrne & team

Best Producer

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Alexander Just, Barbara Bauer
  • Grease (Green Parrot): Andrew Fisk, Rebecca Milsom
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Emma Quaedvlieg
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Chris Jones
  • The House of Bernard Alba (ITG): Tony Regan

Best Lighting

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Chris Harding, Sergey Morozov, Andrey Kaplan
  • Grease (Green Parrot, Mar 2026): Lucas Steeno
  • Homunculus / Trash Day (ECC): Andy Williams, Maja Lay, Chris Nobbs
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Andy Williams
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Ant McCarthy, Louis Cloetens, Angelos Dimopoulos, Leo Jones & team

Best Stage Management

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Marie Rousseaux
  • Glensheen (Smoosicals): Giselle Maksoud
  • Grease (Green Parrot): Boff Muir
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Pierre Halloy
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Andy Ing

Best Actor

  • Manu Peix: Johnny – Home, I’m Darling (ECC), Male Creek Chorus – How I Learned to Drive (ATC), Orin – Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals)
  • Michael Agotha: Willy Wonka – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC), Seymour – Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals)
  • Neale Mcdonald: Luka – The Fifth Step (ITG), Clay – Homunculus (ECC)
  • Paul Musiol: O’Hara – Friends Help You Move (ITG), Patrick – Love In a Glass Jar (ITG)
  • Rafael Plata: Puss In Boots – Puss In Boots (ECC)

Best Publicity and Design

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Eva Konrad-Just, Tommaso De Re, Isabelle Deneyer, Emilia Kitsiou, & team
  • Glensheen (Smoosicals): Emilia Kitsiou
  • Grease (Green Parrot): Rebecca Milsom
  • Homunculus (ECC): Ilona Hendrix, Joachim Dos Santos, Katya Sakhanevych
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Emilia Kitsiou

Kenway Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Conrad Toft
  • Mary Williams
  • Steve O’Byrne
  • Tanya Arler
  • Tim Middleton

Best Hair & Make-up

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Valeria Enea, Janet Gray, Mel Ciriaco, Laraine Alder, & team
  • Grease (Green Parrot): Felipa Ferraz, Chloé Van Thielen
  • Homunculus / Trash Day (ECC): Jennifer Gee, Gemma Santasusana, Martha Mendez
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Emilia Kitsiou, Maya Cañizares Jenni Gee & Hazel
  • Puss in Boots (ECC): Mel Ciriaco, Valeria Enea, Jayne Lindau, Gemma Santasusana

Best Sound

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC): Andrew Fisk, Mihir Samavedam, Chenoa Burca
  • Glensheen (Smoosicals): Loren Wiklander, Steve O’Byrne
  • Grease (Green Parrot): Andrew Fisk, Anton Pavlov, Lucas Steeno
  • How I Learned to Drive (ATC): Karen El Haddad, Nastassia Maes
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Andrew Fisk, Steve O’Byrne

Best Actress

  • Becky Mckay: Judy – Home, I’m Darling (ECC), Mimi – Homunculus (ECC)
  • Jacey Schult: Constance – Trash Day (ECC), Simmer – Homunculus (ECC)
  • Juliana Subach: Rizzo – Grease (Green Parrot)
  • Maja Lay: Li’l Bit – How I Learned To Drive (ATC)
  • Victoria Barbazanges: Mrs Teevee – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC), Marjorie- Glensheen (Smoosicals)

Best Director

  • Grease (Green Parrot): Kathy Lemerle, Jenny Clarkson, Steven De Mesmaeker
  • Home, I’m Darling (ECC): Kateryna Sakhanevych
  • Homunculus (ECC): Tom Mallan, Ashley Norman
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals): Cath Howdle, Matt Carver, Jean Emmett
  • The House of Bernard Alba (ITG): Jane McBride

Golden Butt

  • Aravind Dhakshinamoorthy for juggling multiple projects at once and still succeeding
  • Cat Harris for the puppets in Little Shop of Horrors
  • Cath Howdle for creating Smoosicals, being involved in several shows and always being a class act
  • Conrad Toft for the sheer quantity of things he does on and off stage
  • Esther Pozo Vera for juggling directing, acting, chairing BSS & parenthood

Best Show

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC)
  • Grease (Green Parrot)
  • Homunculus (ECC)
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals)
  • Puss in Boots (ECC)

Fun facts and figures

20 shows included in the Butties this season, five of which were double bills:

  • Home, I’m Darling (ECC, Sep 2025)
  • The Gun Monologues (ATC, Oct 2025)
  • Knocked (BMC, Oct 2025)
  • Measure for Measure (BSS, Nov 2025)
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (BLOC, Nov 2025)
  • Friends Help You Move / The Fifth Step (ITG, Nov 2025)
  • Puss in Boots (ECC, Jan 2026)
  • How I Learned to Drive (ATC, Feb 2026)
  • Grease (Green Parrot, Mar 2026)
  • The House of Bernard Alba (ITG, Mar 2026)
  • Homunculus / Trash Day (ECC, Apr 2026)
  • Glensheen (Smoosicals, May 2026)
  • Little Shop of Horrors (Smoosicals, May 2026)
  • Anthony & Cleopatra (BSS, May 2026)
  • Love in a Glass Jar (ITG, May 2026)
  • Zero for the Young Dudes (EYT, May 2026)
  • The Real Lady Macbeth (EYT, May 2026)
  • Green-Eyed Monster / Othello in Forty Minutes (BSS, May 2026)
  • The Zoo / Trial by Jury (BLOC, Jun 2026)
  • Studio Nights – Bench / Together (ATC, Jun 2026)

Nine groups, including two new ones (in bold) for 2025-2026:

  • American Theatre Company: ATC
  • Brussels Light Opera Company: BLOC
  • Brussel Musical Creatives: BMC
  • Brussels Shakespeare Society: BSS
  • English Comedy Club: ECC
  • English Youth Theatre: EYT
  • Green Parrot: GP
  • Irish Theatre Group: ITG
  • Smoosicals

A few fun stats:

  • 1213 entries in the programmes for this year
  • 625 different people appeared in the programmes (and about 660 names, given all the misspellings and different versions!)
  • The person mentioned the most times was Andrew Fisk (15)
  • The person involved in the most shows was Steve O’Byrne (8)
  • The person involved with the most groups was Tommaso De Re (5)
  • The people who have been in the audience for most shows were Manu Peix & Conrad Toft (12)
  • 186 people voted in the Butties
  • 8 people tried voting for themselves!