News

Todd McKenney Joins Shrek Cast as Lord Farquaad

Television and stage star Todd McKenney will take on the role of Lord Farquaad, the short-in-stature, ruthless ruler of Duloc in the upcoming production of musical comedy SHREK THE MUSICAL. Todd will join the fairy-tale cast of Ben Mingay as Shrek, Lucy Durack as Princess Fiona and Marcia Hines as the Dragon in this wonderful Broadway hit musical. Todd will perform in the Sydney season of the musical, and the Melbourne performances currently on sale.

Hayes Theatre Co 2020 Season

Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney has announced its 2020 season of musicals and cabaret, the company’s seventh year of programming.

“The 2020 season at Hayes Theatre Co will have four new Australian works,” said Chair of Hayes Theatre Co Lisa Campbell.  “Dubbo Championship Wrestling is an hilarious, heart-warming story about the world of wrestling in Dubbo.  This is a brand-new musical that has been developed by us at Hayesand we cannot wait to share it withyou.”.

Colin Friels IS Scaramouche Jones

Coral Drouyn previews Colin Friels' forthcoming Gold Coast season.

Drama of Living on the Street

Street, a new play about the harsh reality of living on the street by Liviu Monsted, is playing at the Chippen Street Theatre in support ofYouth Off the Streetsas part 2019 Sydney Fringe from September 25 to 28. Cast members Lucy Hadfield and Talia Chenaye speak with each other about their roles and the production.

Talia: What drew you to be involved in Street?

La Boite Theatre 2020 Season

Kiesten McCauley reports.

“You can’t just make shows anymore,” says La Boite Theatre’s Artistic Director, Todd MacDonald, “You have to build a community around it.” It’s plain to anyone in attendance at the 2020 season launch party, that Australia’s longest continuously-running theatre company – turning 95 next year - has achieved just that.

Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta 2020 Program

In 2020, Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) will present national and world premieres, a new initiative for local talent, and a continued commitment to providing high quality theatre.

A Chorus Line for Darlinghurst Theatre in 2020

“Blood, sweat and tears don’t date,” says director and choreographer Amy Campbell, who will be bringing to life a thrilling reimagining of one of the most iconic dance musicals of our time – A Chorus Line.

Caroline or Change

Sydney’s Hayes Theatre is famous for inventively producing musicals on its tiny Darlinghurst stage. The company’s latest production, the Australian Premiere of Caroline or Change, could be its most ambitious yet. David Spicer reports.

One of the delights about seeing a production at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre is the transformation of the space, with a capacity of just 110 seats and a small square stage with no wings, into theatrical gold.

Is Musical Theatre Art?

The first Australian Musical Theatre Festival was held in Launceston in May, and organisers immediately showed they had a sense of humour by lining up some sharp shooting comedians to poke fun at it.  Is Musical Theatre Art? was the subject of a Great Debate. Read on to find out who won.

THE NO TEAM: Ned Townsend

Musicals are made of singing, dancing and light. All of these on their own can be considered artforms. But when they are cherry picked and stacked on top of each other, you are so distracted you cannot focus on anything else. 

Blind Casting Furore

Theatre companies in Australia are coming under attack from overseas networks about the ethnicity of their casts. It’s an issue that is causing grief in professional theatre, community theatre and in schools. David Spicer reports.

In April 2019, CLOC Musical Theatre in Melbourne released a statement on their Facebook page responding to criticism of their casting for the musical Kinky Boots.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.