News

The Annual Cabaret Showcase is set to present a new line-up of cabaret talent in Sydney this December. Now in its 8th year, this year’s Showcase promises to be the biggest yet! Produced by Your Management, the event provides the opportunity for cabaret and musical theatre talent at all stages of their career, to showcase their abilities in front of an audience and before a panel of judges assembled from Australia’s leading entertainers and entertainment industry professionals.

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.