News

David Spicer reports that audiences in regional Australia are staying away from most of the plays, dance, children’s theatre and comedy acts which are sent on tour by the Commonwealth Government’s Playing Australia Program.

In 2009 the most successful productions came from the private sector, whilst works produced by traditional subsidised State Theatre Companies were amongst the least successful.

The last time Stage Whispers scrutinised the figures it ruffled some feathers at the Arts on Tour office in New South Wales.

Belvoir has announced that two of its shows – The Diary of A Madman and The Sapphires – will tour to New York and London respectively in 2011. Belvoir’s General Manager Brenna Hobson said, ‘Belvoir’s local, national and international touring program forms a key part of the Company’s activities each year. We’re thrilled to be taking these productions overseas, and to be introducing new and wider audiences to our work.’

If anyone knows how to make a hit musical it’s Sir Cameron Mackintosh. But when the Producer of Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon was in Australia to launch Mary Poppins, he told Stage Whispers that making a hit is a ‘lucky accident.’

David Spicer reports.

When Sir Cameron Mackintosh was trying to raise the cash to stage Cats he readily admits it was a big struggle.

Tributes are flowing in from around the world for Australia’s greatest Opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland. Dame Joan, known as La Stupenda, has died at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland after a long illness. New Zealand diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa said Dame Joan could never be equalled. "She's totally unique and you will never ever hear another voice like that," Dame Kiri told ABC Radio. "I certainly haven't heard one like that in the last 40 years.