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STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

IN THIS EDITION

Magic To Come

Stephen Schwartz talks to Stage Whispers as Pippin returns to Sydney.

Stage Lights Up

How our theatres are gradually re-opening.

A Zoom With A View

Celebrating digital theatre created in response to COVID 19.

Life Without Theatre

ACTober

This October, Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW introduces ACTober, asking you to support arts performers, directors, designers, creatives, technicians and crew.  In 2020, through lockdown and home isolation the performing arts have been our lifeline to the world.  We have been entertained by creative artists and actors on streaming services, podcasts, audiobooks, concerts, cabarets and performances on Zoom. 

Adelaide Festival 2021 Announces Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Neil Armfield’s production of UK composer Benjamin Britten’s opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, make its Australian debut with an exclusive season at the 2021 Adelaide Festival 

Hailed by Stage Door as “a fantastical soundworld that envelopes you in its glittering magic”, Shakespeare’s most loved comedy is given new life and takes the timeless tale of love, laughter and dreamy magic to new heights with iridescent orchestration and stellar performances.

Another Place for a New Theatre Company

2020 would seem an unlikely time to launch a new theatre company, but Australia’s newest professional theatre, Fremantle Theatre Company (FTC), has its first opening night on October 17.

Stage Whispers had the pleasure of talking to Company Director, and founder, Renato Fabretti, in the lead-up to their first production, The Other Place by Sharr White.

Cross-gender Curly for Perth Oklahoma!

Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA has announced that actor Emily Havea (WentworthHarrowThe Secrets She Keeps) has been cast as cowman Curly McLain in their forthcoming production of Oklahoma!  The season will run from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 20 December, on the Heath Ledger Theatre stage.

Announcing Sound Mind

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the Australian live entertainment industry, leaving thousands of gig-to-gig onstage and offstage professionals with unlimited unemployment. The crisis has not only been - and continues to - be financially crippling, but has also affected mental health. 

Rob Guest Endowment Semi-Finalists Statement.

The former semi-finalists in the Rob Guest Endowment Award have "categorically refuted" claims that the competition was cancelled in order to protect them from bullying or intimidation.

In a statement released today on their behalf from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance the artists describe the "significant trauma" caused by the various actions and statements made by the Rob Guest Endowment - which saw this year's competition cancelled.

Here is the statement in full.

Kate Mulvany Wins Top Prize for Women Playwrights

Hailed by the judges as a ‘blazing talent’, stage and screen writer/actor Kate Mulvany has won the coveted Mona Brand Award for 2020 — Australia’s only prize for women stage and screen writers.

A prolific playwright, screenwriter, poet and novelist, Kate Mulvany OAM was awarded the $30,000 Mona Brand Award for Women Stage and Screen Writers for her extensive body of work comprising more than 30 plays over a 25-year career.

Rob Guest Endowment Announces Cancellation of 2020 Scholarship

Stage Whispers acknowledges the strong criticism on Facebook for posting this latest media release from the Rob Guest Endowment, announcing the cancellation of their 2020 scholarship, following the furore over the lack of racial diversity among this year’s semi-finalists.

It’s totally valid criticism. We rushed to post the sensational industry news, sharing the announcement quickly, verbatim from the organisers, without seeking any alternate comments from other parties involved.

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