News

If anyone knows how to make a hit musical it’s Sir Cameron Mackintosh. But when the Producer of Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon was in Australia to launch Mary Poppins, he told Stage Whispers that making a hit is a ‘lucky accident.’

David Spicer reports.

When Sir Cameron Mackintosh was trying to raise the cash to stage Cats he readily admits it was a big struggle.

Tributes are flowing in from around the world for Australia’s greatest Opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland. Dame Joan, known as La Stupenda, has died at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland after a long illness. New Zealand diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa said Dame Joan could never be equalled. "She's totally unique and you will never ever hear another voice like that," Dame Kiri told ABC Radio. "I certainly haven't heard one like that in the last 40 years.

2011 = LOVE + HELL + THE ODD UPRISING

Bell Shakespeare has announced its 2011 season, including Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Cæsar and Faustus.

After a momentous anniversary year for Bell Shakespeare in 2010, the 2011 season marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Company. Peter Evans has been appointed as the new Associate Artistic Director. Together with Artistic Director John Bell AO, Peter will be responsible for the artistic leadership and direction of the Company as it embarks on its next phase.

Opera Queensland will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2011 with two Puccini dramas, The Girl of the Golden West and Tosca, forming the top and tail of its core season and Mozart comedy Così fan tutte delivering the light relief in between.