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A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: The Official Launch

Coral Drouyn reports.

Several thousand years ago King Midas made everything he touched turn to gold (which must have made showering difficult!). But King Midas is a myth. Entrepreneur John Frost, however, has the same skill, and he is very much alive and kicking buttocks in the theatre world.

One can almost imagine the conversation between the amazing Frost, as Producer, and much lauded Director Simon Phillips….with some liberties taken.

First Day Rehearsal Buzz at Legally Blonde

The buzz was evident around the rehearsal room at the ABC in Ultimo, Sydney this morning (August 13) as the media gathered for Producer John Frost to introduce the cast of Legally Blonde on their first day of rehearsal.

In between the photo opportunities, and a brief preview from the show, Neil Litchfield had the chance to chat to a few of the performers before their read-through got underway, about their expectations for the first day of rehearsals, and what they love about the musical Legally Blonde.

Another Musical Theatre Creative Dies.

Mark O'Donnell, the Tony-winning writer behind "Hairspray" and "Cry-Baby," was found dead Monday (August 6, 2012) morning in New York City. O'Donnell, 58, reportedly suffered a heart attack in the lobby of his Upper West Side apartment building.

In 2003, O'Donnell and co-writer Thomas Meehan shared a Tony and a Drama Desk award for their musical adaptation of the 1988 John Waters film "Hairspray." Both went on to work on the 2007 film version, as well as the 2008 Tony-nominated 'Cry-Baby,' another Waters' adaptation.

CHITTY CAST ANNOUNCED

Producer Tim Lawson announced the principal members of the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang August 9, 2012.

Playing the role of Caractacus Potts will be one of Australia’s best-known singers and recording artists, tenor David Hobson; the role of Truly Scrumptious will be played by Rachael Beck.

The role of Baron Bomburst/Lord Scrumptious will be played by Alan Brough, best known for his role on the ABC music game show Spicks & Specks.

THE 2012 MELBOURNE FESTIVAL LAUNCH

Melbourne may be the world’s number one sports city, but it’s also one of the foremost festival cities in the world. There are 39 Arts Festivals in any given year and first and foremost is the Melbourne Festival (October 11 – 27, 2012), which launched on Monday Evening (July 30) at The Sofitel Hotel, a great supporter of the Arts.

Our Favourite Opening Ceremony Highlight

This was our favourite moment from the opening ceremony, when the Queen's stunt double Gary Connery jumped out of the helicopter prompted by the cool hand of James Bond.

Here they are, just about to take the plunge.

Imagine the fun in setting up the  whole event. They must have had a big whiteboard. OK, we'll get the Queen to jump out of plane, Rowan Atkinson can play Chariots of Fire, David Beckham can come in a on speed boat!

New Hamer Hall Opens

No expense was been spared for the glittering opening concerts at the newly refurbished Hamer Hall in Melbourne this week.  Lucy Graham reports.

International Hit One Man, Two Guvnors to tour Australia

The National Theatre of Great Britain’s hit production of One Man, Two Guvnors will tour Australia in 2013.

It will premiere at the Adelaide Festival between 28 February to 9 March 2013, then at Sydney Theatre Company from 30 March to 11 May 2013, before a Melbourne season from 17 May to 22 June 2013 at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse as part of the 2013 MTC season.

Audiences Behaving Badly.

Joseph Ting is fed up with the “glow worms” of modern theatre - people texting and tweeting on the phone from the audience. But when Stage Whispers asked our Facebook friends for their audience horror stories…the responses were hilarious.

The argument was persuasively made by my theatre-auteur companion. A season of delightful cultural immersion in London would be well worth the disorientating stresses of a long-haul flight from the Antipodes.

You’re never too old!

Coral Drouyn reports on the launch for More Sex Please – We’re Seniors, opening in Melbourne in October.

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