News

If you want safe, middle of the road theatre, then most likely you’ll have no interest in Red Stitch’s first season for 2013. I, on the other hand, prefer to A) be challenged; and B) stay awake during a performance, so Red Stitch as a company is a theatrical delight for me, always cutting edge, frequently offbeat.

Brisbane’s La Boite has unveiled a new-look season for 2013 that includes Holding the Man, The Glass Menagerie and a very new look at The Wizard of Oz. Classics sit at the heart of the season of five Mainstage and six La Boite Indie productions.

There’s a classic of the American stage, one of Australia’s great love stories fresh from a run in London’s West End, a surprising trip down the yellow brick road, a new Australian play, and a special show for kids and their families set in a huge pool of green slime.

We’re used to the words Superstar and Genius being bandied about in this day and age. Usually they describe over-rated pop singers or bankable film actors – even footballers get the tags - or once in a while deservedly for someone like another SS – Steven Spielberg, or even a race horse like Black Caviar. But a guy who writes stage shows…..musical ones at that? He doesn’t even act in them….the acting parts are usually taken by…er…..superstars!

Prior to Opening Night of the Australian Premiere of the stage musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre Neil Litchfield had the opportunity to chat with ensemble members Francine Cain and Nathan Pinnell, along with Tony Farrell, who plays the role of Lord Scrumptious.

Neil Litchfield: Tell me about how each of you came to be involved in the show. Had you seen the movie beforehand?