Sydney’s Seymour Centre’s 50th year begins with the launch of the annual Seymour Season, a set of five events including three international plays and two locally produced works, presented in partnership with independent Australian theatre companies.
Image: Michael Paynter and Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar. Photographer: Jeff Busby
A swag of hit Broadway and West End musicals never before seen in Australia will wend their way around the country in 2025, alongside some old favourites to tap the nostalgia buttons.
The post Covid era, along with high interest rates, combined to encourage conservative choices by musical theatre producers. The year ahead is the most innovative in a long time.
Opera Australia has announced Angelina Thomson will play Miss Adelaide in its brand-new production of award-winning Broadway musical Guys & Dolls when it opens at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on 21 March.
Director Shaun Rennie is looking forward to getting started on rehearsals with his cast now complete.
Michael Cassel Group, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, and Langley Park Productions have announced that the role of Lydia Deetz, the peculiar and quick-witted teenager with a penchant for the afterlife, in BEETLEJUICE will be played by Karis Oka.
In 2025 The Bard is back, along with some blockbuster Australian plays, world premieres, classics updated and Indigenous works. David Spicer picks some of the highlights.
All the world’s a stage for Shakespeare in Australia in the year ahead.
UPDATE: Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live has announced that following the previously annouced season at Theatre Royal Sydney from 17 June, CATS would also be playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide from September and at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne from December. Waitlist now to be first in line to buy tickets in Adelaide and Melbourne at www.catsthemusical.com.au
Former Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO has been presented with the Prix de Lausanne 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in Switzerland.
The award recognises his exceptional career from overcoming adversity early in life, to his rise as a celebrated dancer before leading Queensland Ballet to global success.
Image: Betty Sweetlove photographed by Karina White.
Geoffrey Williams spent some time with Mparntwe (Alice Springs)-based playwright Betty Sweetlove, whose first play The Nestmakers will enjoy its world premiere season at Darwin’s Brown’s Mart Theatre in March.
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today (Jan 29) announced the role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the upcoming Broadway musical Annie will be played by Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle in the children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles. The new Australian production plays at the Capitol Theatre from 25 March, before moving to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from July.
