News

Christie Whelan - Q & A

Christie Whelan-Browne is appearing as Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne from October 27, 2012 to January 6, 2013.

We spoke with Christie (pictured left with Hugh Sheridan) during the show's run.

What were rehearsals like for Forum, working not just with Geoffrey Rush, but a whole crowd of great comedians?

Australian Plays Dominate 2011 Ensemble Season

The eight play 2011 season at Sydney's Ensemble Theatre, announced yesterday (September 1) is dominated by Australian plays, with a hit New Zealand comedy thrown in for good measure.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical - North America Premiere

Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon (reprising his Australian and West End performance), Tony Award® nominee Will Simpson (Hair) and Nick Adams (La Cage aux Folles) will lead the cast of the pre-Broadway North American company of hit Australian Musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical. Written by Stephen Elliott and Allan Scott, directed by Simon Phillips and choreographed by Ross Coleman, will begin performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre for a pre-Broadway engagement, previewing from October 12.

Lillias White for Sydney season of Fame

Producer John Frost announced today that the role of Miss Sherman in the Sydney season of FAME will be played by Tony award winning actress Lillias White. Ms White has been recognized on Broadway with the Tony Award®, Drama Desk Award®, People’s Choice® Award and The Outer Critics Award® for Best Actress in a Musical - Broadway's Prestigious Quadruple Crown - for her 1997 role as Sonja in The Life. In 1990 she won The Obie Award® for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Hennie in Romance in Hard Times.

Vampire and Obama Musicals in Austria and Germany

David Spicer had a spare afternoon in Vienna, but the Opera was booked out. Instead he had to fight for a ticket to Dance of the Vampire.

AIDAN FENNESSY WINS 2010 GRIFFIN AWARD

Griffin Theatre Company has announced that writer, director and dramaturg Aidan Fennessy is the winner of the 2010 Griffin Award for his play Brutopia.

The Griffin Award is an annual $10,000 prize offered for an outstanding new Australian play or performance text. Now in its 13th year, the Griffin Award celebrates the bright future of Australian drama. More than 130 entries were received this year from across the country.

Todd’s Boy from Oz Comeback

He was the original Boy From Oz. Now Todd McKenney has picked up the maracas once again. He kicked off an encore season for The Production Company in Melbourne on August 18, and he’ll return for a Summer season from January 5 to 16, 2011 (now with extra February dates and a March season at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney). David Spicer, the agent for the musical, spoke with Todd and previews community theatre productions in other parts of Australia.

ELECTION MESSAGES FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRES ASSOCIATION (APACA), THE AUSTRALIAN MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS GROUP (AMPAG) AND LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA (LPA)

AMPAG, LPA and APACA acknowledge that it is not the role of Government to ensure the sustainability of the sector. However with comparatively small additional funds, inefficiencies in the current system of support could be addressed, improving outcomes for communities throughout Australia.

Some of the key recomendations include:

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