Stage Briefs

World Premiere of New Australian Astaire/Rogers Musical

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers made ten films together between 1933 and 1949. They were the most popular dance team of the 20th Century and they captured the hearts of the world. New Australian I Won’t Dance: The new Astaire/Rogers Musical is a loving tribute to the work of Astaire & Rogers.

Cats Cast Announced

The Producers of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS have announced the all-Australian cast for the acclaimed West End revival production which tours Australia from October this year, starring Delta Goodrem as Grizabella.

This much-loved record-breaking musical opens in Sydney on 30 October and is then touring to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide finishing in Perth in April 2016.  Tickets are on sale now.

AUSSIE DIVAS SING BLUES FOR BILLIE

Seven great Australian female singers come together for a very special one-off event at The Sydney Opera House to pay tribute to the late Billie Holiday, otherwise known as ‘Lady Day’. The concert Ladies Sing the Blues, will feature Lady Cool, Amanda Easton, Liza Ohlback, Lucinda Peters, Lindsay Drummond, Joy Yates and Dahlia Dior. They will be backed by a live band consisting of Rick Mellick on Piano, John Maddox on Bass, Chris Fields on Drums and Tim Rollinson on Guitar.

Matthew Lutton New Malthouse Artistic Director

The Malthouse Theatre Board has announced the appointment of Matthew Lutton as the company’s Artistic Director.

‘We are delighted that Matt will be taking up the role of Artistic Director as we embark on the next chapter of the company’s life,’ said Malthouse Theatre Chair, Michele Levine.

Dream Lover, The Bobby Darin Musical for Sydney in 2016

Dream Lover, The Bobby Darin Musical – a story about the legendary American singer, actor and musician – will hold its World Premiere in Sydney in 2016.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the musical has been secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Keating Sings and Dances Back Into Bankstown

Keating! The Musicalis simply the story of the rise and fall of Paul Keating.

In song. And dance. And swingin’, rockin’ musical fun!

The show debuted in 2005 at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, became a cult hit and went on to tour nationally, become a major commercial hit in theatres such as Belvoir Street and win multiple awards for the script, the production and its actors.

Showtunes and Dementia

Have you ever wondered why you can remember the lyrics to showtunes but can’t recall something you were told ten minutes ago? This crossed my mind when I reviewed a production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in January.

In 1979 I played Joseph at Epping West Primary School (pictured here). My mother still talks about it and that wonderful coat, lovingly stitched together by my grandmother from all her scraps of material.

LES MIS CAST SUPPORT BEYOND BLUE WITH BROADWAY CONCERT

The Australian cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables will perform a charity concert raising money in support of beyondblue on Sunday August 23rd at 8.00 pm at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 25th June via Ticketmaster.

Rehearsals Underway for Victorian Opera's Sweeney Todd

Rehearsals are officially underway for Victorian Opera’s final instalment in its Sondheim trilogy, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – A Musical Thriller starring Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the infamous serial-killer at Arts Centre Melbourne's Playhouse from 16-25 July, 2015.

Richard O'Brien to Narrate Special Melbourne Performances of Rocky Horror

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost gleefully announced today (June 18, 2015) that the author of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien, would join the production at certain special performances during the Melbourne season, playing the role of the Narrator. O’Brien can be seen at performances on June 30, July 1, 2, 5 (5.30pm only), 7, 8 and 9.