Community Theatre

Little Shop Casting Cancellations

Two community theatres have cancelled their seasons to the musical Little Shop of Horrors after a backlash against their casting choices.

The Beaumaris Theatre Company in Victoria and the Launceston Musical Society in Tasmania both called off their seasons for similar reasons.

Both companies came under fire on social media for their decision not to cast people of colour in the roles of Ronnette, Crystal and Chiffon - the trio of 60's female singers in the musical.

Addams Family Musical Set to Spook Up Stirling Stage

Image: Logan Bin Bakar, left, Perri Hinton, Megan Lilley, Jacob Miles, Billy Hewett, Walter Gittens and Keely Crugnale in The Addams Family

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Murder Mystery Clues at Melville Theatre

CAN you work out whodunit?

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Bankstown Theatre Company Present The King and I

After having to cancel their entire 2020 season due to Covid 19, Bankstown Theatre Company are over the moon that they are at last able to present their previously postponed production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I during May 2021

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Dark Irish Comedy at Castle Hill

Castle Hill Players will present The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Pavilion Theatre from June 4, 2021, directed by Dave Went.

From the award-winning playwright Martin McDonagh (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) comes a dark comedy, set on a small island off the west coast of Ireland.

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The Game’s Afoot at Cronulla

Arts Theatre Cronulla is presenting Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) from May 7, 2021. The play won the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Mystery from the Mystery Writers of America, and combines mystery and hilarity in equal parts,

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On The Buses

Community Theatres are facing their biggest technical challenge yet - building their own buses for productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. CLOC in Melbourne, Willoughby Theatre Company in Sydney and Platinum Entertainment in Perth take us for a peek under the bonnet.

Top image - CLOC's Priscilla. Photographer: Ben Fon (Fon Photography)

CLOC’s Priscilla is Pure 1960s.

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Steel Magnolias Sets Up Shop at Lane Cove Theatre

Lane Cove Theatre Company stages Steel Magnolias, one of the world’s most loved stories of women’s friendship, love and loss: Steel Magnolias, during May 2021.

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Almost, Maine at Roleystone WA

ONE of the most frequently produced plays in the US is the May 2021 offering at Roleystone Theatre, WA.

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Call to Boycott Miss Saigon

A debate has erupted on social media about whether it is still appropriate to stage the musical Miss Saigon. The debate was sparked on the Sydney Musical Facebook page when the Notable Theatre Company announced its audition for the musical.

Here are some of the views that have been expressed. Leave your comments on the Stage Whispers Facebook Page.

Dillan Jamie Chen

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