The National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney has been celebrating its 50th Birthday in 2009. Widely known for its alumni superstars including Mel Gibson and Cate Blanchett, NIDA’s behind-the-scenes graduates are snapped up by the industry even more eagerly than the actors.
Peter Pinne asks have we lost the art of theatre etiquette?
Once upon a time audiences at a theatrical performance respected the actors and other audience members. They remained quiet at appropriate times, laughed at appropriate times, and applauded at the end of the show. These days it’s a different story.
Ever wondered how plays get chosen to tour regional venues? David Spicer reports it’s a bit like Australian Idol. Producers get 10 minutes to perform – and then get voted on or off the short-list.
A set designer has scored one of Australia’s most prestigious jobs, taking over as Artistic Director of Sydney’s Company B Belvoir Theatre from the end of 2010. Ralph Myers will succeed Neil Armfield from 2011.
Company B Belvoir’s Managing Director Brenna Hobson said the 30 year old stood out for his "intelligence, humour, capacity for inspiring leadership and understanding of the theatrical process.”
The Sydney Theatre Company's production of A Streetcar Named Desire, now playing in the Kennedy Centre in Washington, has won rave reviews in the US Press.
While most loved the production, not everyone was impressed with the Aussie cast's attempts at Southern American accents.
Music Theatre star Michael Cormick has returned to the Australian stage as Sam in the 10th anniversary production of Mamma Mia! On the eve of commencing rehearsals, he shared scariest moment of his theatre career with Stage Whispers.
Geoffrey Rush will be seen on both Sydney and Melbourne stages in 2010. He appears in the MTC's Australian premiere of Broadway musical The Drowsy Chaperone in January, then revives his great Company B collaboration with Neil Armfield with a return of Diary of a Madman at Belvoir Street in December.
Geoffrey Rush told Stage Whispers that he first became aware of The Drowsy Chaperone during his Tony Award winning season of Exit the King on Broadway.
Only a few years after being in chorus of the Gosford Musical Society Jemma Rix is flying high as the standby Green Witch in the Stephen Schwartz musical Wicked which premieres in Sydney on September 12.
