Arts Upper Hunter present this multi award winning show on Saturday 7 November 2026, 2:00pm, at the James Theatre, Dungog as part of our Alive In the Upper Hunter project.
A masterpiece is about to be unveiled… if only anyone knew where it was!
Multi-award-winning duo raeandwill bring their critically acclaimed theatre work Masterpiece to Dungog, inviting audiences of all ages into a delightfully absurd world where laughter, connection and wonder take centre stage.
Masterpiece combines mime, clowning, physical theatre and live music to create a theatrical experience unlike any other. With no spoken dialogue, the show invites audiences from all backgrounds to connect through presence, play and shared experience.
Tickets: Adult $36; child (2–17 years) $20; family (two adults and two children) $100.
Book Tickets: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/55396/masterpiece
No words. One artwork. Two clowns.
At the grand unveiling ceremony of the Masterpiece Gallery’s latest and most prestigious acquisition, anticipation is high. Enter two art handlers, dancing in with the long-awaited Masterpiece.
What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming journey as Rae Colquhoun-Fairweather and Will Bartolo attempt a seemingly simple task: hanging a piece of art. But what should take moments quickly spirals into a brilliantly drawn-out exploration of persistence, partnership, performance anxiety and the beauty of human imperfection.
The production won the Festival Directors Award, San Diego Tour Ready Award and Best Emerging Artist at Sydney Fringe Festival 2024 and was nominated for the Take A Chance on Adelaide Award at Adelaide Fringe 2025.
Reflecting on the work’s origins, the creators explain: “We sought to uncover the possibilities of simplicity by exploring how long we could sustain a single action while still evoking wonder.”
Drawing on their professional work as hospital clowns, Rae and Will ground their performance style in patience, empathy and audience empowerment, creating an atmosphere where everyone is invited to participate in the joy of the moment.
Live musical accompaniment is performed by James Tarbotton, whose score enriches the unfolding comedy with warmth, rhythm and emotional depth.
For audiences seeking an unforgettable afternoon of laughter, wonder and heartfelt theatrical magic, Masterpiece is a work that proves the simplest ideas can leave the biggest impression.
Date: Saturday 7 November 2026, 2:00pm.
Venue: James Theatre, Brown St, Dungog.
Tickets: Adult $36; child (2–17 years) $20; family (two adults and two children) $100.
Book Tickets: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/55396/masterpiece
About raeandwill
raeandwill is the multi-award-winning performance partnership of multidisciplinary artists Rae Colquhoun-Fairweather and Will Bartolo. Drawing on extensive experience in physical theatre, stand-up comedy, improvisation, clowning, acting, mime, theatre-making and production, their work explores the intersection of humour and human connection.
Masterpiece is supported by Inner west Council, Legs On The Wall, Arts Unlimited & Flow Studios.
About Alive in the Upper Hunter
These performances are part of Arts Upper Hunter’s Alive in the Upper Hunter, a new touring initiative connecting communities across the Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shires through inspiring live performances and creative experiences.
Alive in the Upper Hunter is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW and is committed to building stronger connections between artists, venues and communities across the region.
Image: Courtesy of the artists.
