News

Mary Poppins Heads Helpmann Nominations

The Nominees for the 11th Annual Helpmann Awards were announced simultaneously in Sydney and Melbourne tonight (July 4).

Heading the nominations were the big musical theatre productions running around the country. Mary Poppins led the nominations with 12 nominations, followed by Love Never Dies with 10 nominations, while Hairspray and Doctor Zhivago were tied on seven nominations each. The four musicals are competing for the title of Best Musical.

Burlesque Play for Newtown

Newtown Theatre (NSW) becomes The Scarlet Lounge when Wayne Tunks’ new play The Burlesque Effect makes its world premiere from July 21 to August 13, 2011.

Set in 1950’s Sydney, The Burlesque Effect sees straight laced suburbanite James seduced by the burlesque world when he ventures into The Scarlet Lounge and meets dancer Honey. Torn between the life he has and the one he desires, will James run away with Honey or stay with the wife who loves him?

Milk and Honey First in a Jerry Herman Triptych.

Magnormos commence their Jerry Herman Tryptych at the Melbourne Recital Centre next Monday, July 4 with the popular Broadway composer / lyricist’s first musical, Milk and Honey.

This is the first of three ‘concert staged’ book-in-hand presentations over three consecutive Monday evenings. Dear World (July 11) and Hello, Dolly! (July 18) follow.

NICA Melbourne Circus Festival

From 26 September to 1 October 2011, NICA will present the NICA Melbourne Circus Festival celebrating the work of NICA’s alumni and others as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations this year.

Melbourne’s Newest Cabaret Venue Opens

Melbourne’s newest cabaret venue ‘Downstairs At Almas’ opened in Caulfield on Monday night, featuring performances by some of Australia’s leading musical theatre and comedy acts.

Premiering acts included one of Australia’s favourite comedians Rachel Berger, musical theatre star Chelsea Gibb, the multi award-winning ‘Drags Aloud’,  the hilarious harmonies of the ‘Candy Topps’, chanteuse extraordinaire, Billie Wilde and the cabaret-inspired burlesque showcase ‘Burlesque in the Burbs’.

Simon Phillips: Our Travelling Director Goes Platinum

Born and theatre-trained in New Zealand, the MTC's Artistic Director Simon Phillips is now a regular globe-trotter. On his return from opening Priscilla on Broadway, he spoke to Frank Hatherley over a Sydney breakfast prior to the day's rehearsal for the Melbourne production of Love Never Dies.

Revue Showcases the Music of Matthew Robinson

Sing On Through Tomorrow, The Songs of Matthew Robinson, a new musical revue featuring the songs from the decade-long career of Australian musical theatre composer/lyricist Matthew Robinson, plays a Sydney season from Thursday, 4 August to Sunday, 14 August at Sidetrack Theatre, Marrickville.

TICK TICK...BOOM!

Composed by the creator of hit musical RENT Jonathan Larson, TICK TICK...BOOM! will have its first professional production in Australia, playing for one week only at NIDA’s Parade Playhouse, Parade Theatres from 12 to 16 July.

Rob Mills for The Last Five Years in Sydney

The Last Five Years, an intimate contemporary musical byTony Award-winning writer and composer Jason Robert Brown, will have a Sydney season this July at The Reginald Theatre (previously know as the Downstairs Theatre) at the Seymour Centre.

The Last Five Yearsis the story of the rise and fall of a young couple’s relationship told from both sides. Her story starts at the end of their relationship while his begins on the day they met.

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