News

Mainstage Theatre Seasons 2013

All the season brochures for mainstage theatre companies in Australia now out. Of course you can’t see everything. Who has the time or the money? To help, Stage Whispers asked the theatre companies to select shows for different theatre ‘types’.

Theatre Tragics. For someone who goes to the theatre often, and wants to see a stand out production.

Something Edgy. For theatregoers whose priority is challenging and innovative theatre.

Just Entertain Me. Lots of laugh please.

Younger Audiences. I’m 21 or younger; speak to my generation.

International Broadway: South American Style

Broadway is like an octopus, with tentacles that reach to the far corners of the earth. Peter Pinne discovered there is a lot to enjoy away from the Great White Way.

To see a familiar Broadway show in a foreign language is something every musical theatre tragic should experience at least once. It was my luck to see two on a recent trip to Lima, Peru.

In Conversation: Brett Sheehy

Well known across Australia as the successful Artistic Director for Festivals in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, Brett Sheehy has launched his first season as the Melbourne Theatre Company’s new Creative Director. But not everyone is excited by the prospect, as Coral Drouyn discovered when they talked theatre.

Blockbuster Plays 2013

Australia will see some blockbuster plays in 2013. For those who want star-power there is a lot to get excited about.

War Horse.

The most breath-taking drama event of 2013 will no doubt be War Horse. At the launch in Melbourne Lucy Graham reports the media pack were literally gasping when the life size puppet of Joey made his entrance.

Musicals in 2013 and Beyond

Click here to visit our update - Musicals in 2014 and Beyond

The big musical event of 2013 is already shaping as Global Creatures' production of KING KONG Live On Stage, which has its World Premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre in June 2013.

An extraordinary team has been assembled, combining live performers, aerial circus, puppets and animatronics, which Global Creatures has mastered in its famous Dinosaur and Dragon shows.

10th Annual Australian Cabaret Showcase: Winner and Runner Up

The judges of the 10th Annual Australian Cabaret Showcase faced the unenviable task of deciding between a field of eleven rising local cabaret performers.

So challenging did the task prove, that they decided to substantially narrow the gap between the reward offered to the winner and the runner-up. Coming from the various cabaret festivals around the country, the judges decided to produce the runner-up at the full range of cabaret festivals around the country.

All Roads Lead to Forum

A funny thing happened to the Stephen Sondheim musical ‘Forum’ on its way to Broadway success. It looked very shaky until a hit song was added. Fifty years on Geoffrey Rush has joined the show’s history by starring in a new production at  Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. Coral Drouyn reports on how all roads have led to Rome for the show and the star.

One of the most delicious elements of life is that we never know the road we will travel until we’re actually on it; and the destination is rarely where we think it will be.

Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary

Christine Anu, one of Australia’s most successful Indigenous performers steps into “Bloody Mary’s” shoes for the Brisbane season of South Pacific. She is the first Indigenous performer to play the role in an Australian professional production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical and gets to sing the iconic songs “Bali Hai” and “Happy Talk.”

Australian Cabaret Showcase: Interview with Jeremy Youett

The 10th Annual Australian Cabaret Showcase (December 17 to 22, 2012) promises to introduce a great line up of cabaret talent across Australia this week. The annual event provides a platform for cabaret and musical theatre performers to showcase their talent in front of an audience and before a panel of judges, including some of Australia’s leading entertainers and industry professionals.

Finalists now announced.

2012 Sydney Theatre Awards Nominations Announced

Nominations were announced today (December 14) for the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2012, which will be presented at a gala ceremony on Monday January 14, 2013 at 6pm at the Paddington RSL.

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