News

Aussies On and Off Broadway

If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere - goes the famous song. But Australians making it big in the New York theatre scene are few are far between. David Spicer met three Aussies giving it a red hot go - composer Eddie Perfect, producer Neil Gooding and playwright Stephen Helper.

The biggest thing you notice in Times Square as an Australian theatre buff in late 2019 was the towering image of Ainsley Melham. The actor-singer was still Disney’s poster boy for the musical Aladdin, after spending six months in the lead role.

Hot at HOTA 2020

Coral Drouyn looks at the rapidly expanding Arts Scene on the Gold Coast

It’s a New Year and that means New Excitement! Though Queensland is still sweltering through a disgustingly hot summer, the Gold Coast’s Home Of The Arts is once again proving it’s one of the coolest places to be if you love Art, Theatre, Music and Cinema.

Acting and Being

Coral Drouyn talks to Noni Hazlehurst about her most defining role.

“Acting is easy, BEING is hard.” So says the very special Noni Hazlehurst, who has managed to do both across all media: film, television, radio and theatre. Noni is finishing up her two years plus run with Mother, a one woman play written especially for her by one of our most esteemed playwrights, Daniel Keene.

The play has been a very special labour of love for Noni for more than four years now and Noni is coming to the end of yet another successful tour.

The Secret Garden Adult Cast

Production cancelled - full details

Producers John Frost and Opera Australia have announced the full adult cast for the 25th anniversary production of The Secret Garden which will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star from 2 August, then transfer to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from 13 November.

Frozen Leads Announced.

As it approaches its Australian premiere in Sydney in July, Frozen is has announced the two performers that have been cast in the lead roles of Elsa and Anna.

Jemma Rix (Elsa) and Courtney Monsma (Anna) will bring the iconic roles to life in this new production from the producers of Aladdin, The Lion King and Mary Poppins which begins performances at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from July 2020.

A Chat with Fantine, Cosette and Eponine

Packemin Productions will transport audiences to nineteenth century France as they bring one of the world’s most iconic musicals, Les Misérables, to life at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.

At the core of this incredible story there are characters who fight against societal norms and fight for love and revolution, in their own particular ways. They bring us into a world of despair and make us feel hopeful for the future and that “even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

Tudor Queens Get Pop Voices

Melbourne, New Zealand and Adelaide seaons postponed.

Remixing the story Henry VIII’s six wives with a pop score, SIX The Musical is touring Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide this year. Loren Hunter, who plays Jane Seymour, and Olivia Ansell, Sydney Opera House’s Head of Contemporary Performance, spoke to Neil Litchfield.

Shrek the Musical

Some of Australia’s most popular musical theatre stars are slapping on the green make up and strapping on the knee pads for the awkward demands of playing the leading roles in Shrek the Musical now on stage in Melbourne. David Spicer caught up with them before the hard work in the swamp and castle commenced.

Ben Mingay was like a child with a new toy when Stage Whispers caught up with him at his first make-up call. He was giggling, and other members of the cast squealed with excitement when the famous actor emerged for the first time as the lovable green ogre.

A Horse of Another Colour

Coral Drouyn explores the evolution and wonder that is War Horse as it returns to Australia in 2020.

Merrily We Roll Along - Hayes Theatre Cast

Production postponed until 2021.

Luckiest Productions, in association with Hayes Theatre Co, has announced the cast for their forthcoming production of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along. A Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success, Merrily We Roll Along is running from 16 April 2020 at the Hayes Theatre Co.

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