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Finding Fran and Scott

After months of anticipation, Strictly Ballroom The Musical finally had its leads. After an exhaustive audition process, by late 2013 Baz Luhrmann had chosen Phoebe Panaretos and Thomas Lacey for the pivotal roles of Fran and Scott in the stage adaptation of his hit movie. Both spoke to Neil Litchfield about the grueling audition process on the day of the casting announcement.

MTC’s 2014 NEON Festival of Independent Theatre

Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Brett Sheehy today (March 13) announced the full program of five new workswhich will make up the MTC’s 2014 NEON Festival of Independent Theatre.

Between 29 May and 3 August this year, MTC will welcome five independent companies – Little Ones Theatre, angus cerini / doubletap, Antechamber Productions & Daniel Keene, Arthur and Sans Hotel – to present a work of their choice, each for a ten-day season in the Lawler at Southbank Theatre.

Leading A “Normal” Life.

On the eve of opening as Diane in Doorstep Arts’ season of the extraordinary musical Next To Normal at GPAC in Geelong, leading lady Natalie O’Donnell takes time out to talk to Coral Drouyn

2013 MATILDA AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

A trio of veteran female artists noted for thriving in an industry that can overlook mature women has spearheaded the Matilda Awards honouring Brisbane’s most outstanding theatrical achievements of 2013.

Actors BARBARA LOWING and CHRISTEN O’LEARY and director ANDREA MOOR took home three of the five prestigious Gold Matildas. Lighting designer JASON GLENWRIGHT and independent company, SHAKE & STIR received the other top gongs in the 27th annual ceremony on March 10, 2014

30 YEARS OF VITALSTATISTIX

Thirty Vital Years for Independent SA Theatre Company. Lesley Reed reports.

In 1984 theatre-makers Roxxy Bent, Ollie Black and Margie Fischer created a dynamic new South Australian independent theatre company, Vitalstatistix, which soon came to be known amongst its followers as Vitals.

Based at Port Adelaide at the heritage-listed Waterside Workers Hall, the company maintains a feminist perspective, having developed a proud tradition of supporting women artists.

Lisa McCune: Leading Lady

In her former life as a TV script producer, Coral Drouyn once had Lisa McCune killed off (or at least her TV alter ego). As the multiple Gold Logie winner prepares for The King and I in 2014, the star and the screenwriter caught up for a chat.

ONCE IS ENOUGH.

The launch of the smash hit Tony award musical ONCE, coming to Melbourne in October, gave us Guinness, champagne, Irish music and academy award winner Glen Hansard. Coral Drouyn was there to soak up the atmosphere and the champagne (one was enough).

The Production Company Season 2014

Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company, has announced her Company’s 2014 season.

‘Three very different musicals are coming to Melbourne for our 2014 Season. Spanning sixty years of Broadway creativity, they are three of my favourite Broadway classics. Guys and Dolls opens our season on July 19, Show Boat opens on August 16 and our third musical is La Cage Aux Folles, which opens on November 22.

‘To star in these musicals, we have engaged artists who will shine and enchant our audiences.

BEYOND WICKED

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett talks about beyondblue’s arts connection with Wicked to Coral Drouyn.

Wicked might not seem the perfect match for beyondblue, an organisation committed to helping those with depression of all kinds, but founder and chairman Jeff Kennett believes they are a perfect fit.

Fight Night: Adelaide Festival Audiences Get The Vote

South Australia is to have a state election in mid-March and many onlookers are finding the political games prior to the big day a little tedious. However, audiences can leave tedium at the door when attending the Adelaide Festival’s Fight Night, in which elections become a theatrical game in a very different, entertaining and totally absorbing perspective on politics.

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