News

Sydney Season for Come From Away

Producers Rodney Rigby and Junkyard Dog Productions have announced that the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical COME FROM AWAY will open at Sydney’s State Theatre on Saturday 8 August 2020.  

David Suchet – Inside Out

Coral Drouyn speaks to acclaimed actor David Suchet and his alter ego before his Australian tour.

Everyone wants to speak to acclaimed actor David Suchet, particularly about his famous portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot - but no-one has interviewed Poirot to find out what he thinks of Suchet. While waiting to interview Mr Suchet, I took the opportunity to speak to Poroit himself and ask his opinion of Suchet and the other great actors who have interpreted him.

Arts Stars Honoured on Australia Day

Big stars of the stage and screen have been honoured this Australia Day including Hugo Weaving, Caroline O'Connor, Tim Minchin, Kate Mulvany, Jane Turner, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Mercurio, Heather Mitchell, Peter Combe and Wesley Enoch.

2019 Sydney Theatre Award Winners

The winners of the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards have been announced, with 35 Awards presented, shared between 18 productions which played in Sydney during the calendar year of 2019. More than 400 members of the Sydney theatre community packed the York Theatre at the Seymour Centre to celebrate.

Black Cockatoo Script Excerpt

The Sydney Festival and the Ensemble Theatre are teaming up to present the World Premiere of Black Cockatoo during January 2020.

It’s about the epic adventure of 13 Aboriginal men from Western Victoria who picked up their cricket bats 150 years ago to embark on a treacherous voyage to England (pictured left). Risking illness and persecution, Australia’s first international cricket team amazed the English crowds with astonishing talent, personality and grit.

1984! The Musical!

A new Australian musical comedy - 1984! – which takes Orwell’s timeless classic and promises laughter in the darkest places, premieres at New Theatre, Newtown during January 2020, featuring tap-dancing in torture chambers and rats with razzle-dazzle.

As well as taking a comedic spin on the original, this version reimagines the classic for modern audiences with a majority female cast and ensemble.

Co-librettist Diana Reid chats to Stage Whispers about the musical.

What is 1984! The Musical! about?

Sting Like A Butterfly

Lesley Reed previews Butterfly Theatre’s January 2020 production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? If you miss this one, you’ll be out for the count!

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

 

IN THIS EDITION

Shrek The Musical

Beyond the green make-up of Shrek The Musical in Australia

David Suchet – Inside Out

Hercule Poirot and his best-known exponent chat with Coral Drouyn

A Horse of Another Colour

National Theatre of Great Britain’s International hit War Horse returns

Aussies On and Off Broadway

Finding Billy

Imagine being eleven or twelve years old and playing the most intense lead role imaginable, in a musical that is touring the country. Four boys playing Billy Elliot (pictured left - Jamie Rogers, River Mardesic, Omar Abiad & Wade Neilsen- phptograher James Morgan) carry the weight on their slight shoulders. The role is compared to Hamlet, such is in intensity of the time on stage and physical demands. With Billy Elliot the Musical open in Adelaide and soon in Melbourne  David Spicer speaks with members of the cast.

Musicals in 2020

As of March 2020, most current productions have been postponed or cancelled due to COVID19,

Shrek the Musical

Based on the much-loved DreamWorks movie, Shrek the Musical opened on Broadway complete with a dragon portrayed by a large animatronic head.

This production has less technology and more old-fashioned show business schtick. Instead of a robot, Australian audiences will have the star power of Marcia Hines as the dragon.

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