News

The Play That Goes Wrong

A group of out-of-work actors put on a short play in front of their friends and family in a pub and just a few years later it is a global phenomenon. David Spicer speaks with two of the founders of the Mischief Theatre Company - Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer - ahead of their play’s Australian debut and national tour.

Naturally something went wrong when I tried to interview these two men. The telephone hook-up was just after midnight London time, after they had finished a performance in the West End – but there was mishap.

2017 Green Room Award Winners

The 34th Annual Green Room Awards were presented live at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre on Monday night, March 27, 2017. The Association's Patron, Julia Zemiro, hosted the evening and was joined onstage by some of Melbourne's most influential performers and industry leaders to celebrate the outstanding work presented in Melbourne during 2016.

Fireworks at Opera Australia

The opening of Opera Australia’s annual extravaganza on Sydney Harbour has been marred by an extraordinary rebuke of the company by three of the original creatives of the production of Carmen. David Spicer reports.

A statement has been released by the original director of the 2013 production, Gale Edwards, set designer Brian Thompson and costume designer Julie Lynch.

“As the key Creative Team we feel it is important that the press and public understand that (none of us) have been invited back to oversee the re-mount. 

Michael Gow's Away Returns

Weather not unlike Sydney’s recent heat wave prevailed in January 1986, when Away opened at Sydney’s Stables Theatre – 37 degrees on opening night, and no air conditioning. “But it still worked, which was gratifying,” playwright Michael Gow told Neil Litchfield.

Controversial Title Belies Honest, Everywoman Play

Her mother hoped she’d never go into show business, but the daughter of well-known Australian actors Paula Duncan and John Orcsik did just that. Now Jessica Orcsik is producing and acting in a play that is creating pushback and controversy. Why? Simply because of its title. Lesley Reed reports.

Written, produced and acted by women, there’s a dark little comedy on its way, about the friendship between two working women who use wit and grit to battle their demons.

Fire in the Wood

Actor and national TV icon John Wood talks to Coral Drouyn about a brand new play he is directing.

For more years than he would care to remember, John Wood was a household name to anyone who watched TV. He is best remembered as Sgt Tom Croydon on Blue Heelers (the role that won him a Gold Logie) but before that there was Rafferty’s Rules, Truckies, and guest roles on various dramas; and since then he pops up in recurring roles, most notably on Doctor Blake’s Murder Mysteries.

Long Tan Receives Sensory Theatrical Staging

Stories from Australia’s most significant battle of the Vietnam War will be told in the world premiere staging of Long Tan, an aural and sensory theatre experience. 

Adelaide’s Brink Productions (Aspirations of Daise Morrow, When the Rain Stops Falling), in association with State Theatre Company of SA & Adelaide Festival Centre,will create this theatrical event from a semi-verbatim text by award-winning playwright Verity Laughton.

Independents Day

With the face of Australian Theatre constantly changing, Coral Drouyn spoke to some of the Independent theatre producers who are putting their own savings on the line to stage award winning plays and musicals, often beating the Main Stage companies at their own game.

2016 Matilda Awards

QTC has dominated the 2016 MATILDA AWARDS to be Queensland’s most lauded company for the second year running, associated with eleven of the 16 category winners through four of its productions.

Christina Bianco – When The Voices In Your Head Are All Part Of The Act.

Coral Drouyn talks to the star Impressionist on the eve of her Australian tour.

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