News

SYDNEY TO DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost today (August 15, 2014) confirmed that the new Australian production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show will play a limited season at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from April 2015. Returning in the role of Frank N Furter will be television and theatre star Craig McLachlan, fresh from shooting the title role in the third series of ABC TV’s top rating drama series The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Further cast members will be announced later this year.

SQUABBALOGIC ANNOUNCES 2014-15 SEASON

Sydney musical theatre company, Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre Inc, has announced their second annual season of independent musicals, which will be presented at The Seymour Centre’s Reginald Theatre this year and next.

The season of three productions features the Australian premieres of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and TRIASSIC PARQ, plus Broadway classic MAN OF LA MANCHA.

Rolling Thunder Vietnam

Former Sydney Morning Herald theatre critic Bryce Hallett has penned a concert drama based on the poignant stories behind the Vietnam War. It features the rock’ n’ roll and video footage from the era, linked by ‘soliloquys’. Ahead of its national tour in August and September he spoke to David Spicer about the show and the challenges of developing new work.

Sandra Bates to Retire From Ensemble

Sandra Bates announces her retirement as Governing and Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre after 30 years at helm. 

2014 Rob Guest Endowment Award Finalists

The six Finalists for the 2014 Rob Guest Endowment Award were announced last night (August 11) at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Competing against 30 other Semi-Finalists, six outstanding performers were chosen by an expert panel of judges, which included Todd McKenney, Stuart Maunder and Guy Simpson.

Anything Goes For Opera Australia.

The Cole Porter classic Anything Goes will be Opera’s Australia’s musical collaboration with impresario John Frost in 2015. The musical won three Tony Awards during its most recent Broadway revival including Best Musical Revival and Choreography.

For the third year in a row a musical will be staged for two months in the Sydney Opera House – leaving no room during this period for Opera. The Sydney season will follow seasons in Melbourne and Brisbane.

When The Stars Come Out To Play

Coral Drouyn has some thoughts to wrap up this year’s charity fund-raiser – Twisted Broadway.

Where were you Monday night? I looked all over the Arts Centre for you but you weren’t there. How could you miss the one and only performance of Twisted Broadway’s 5th anniversary concert? Mind you, you would have had to stand in the aisles of the Playhouse as every seat was taken, but you might have persuaded Geoffrey Rush to move, he is a true gentleman.

American Ballet Theatre in Australia

For the first time in its history the American Ballet Theatre will visit Australia performing exclusively at the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, from 28 August to 7 September, 2014, as part of QPAC’s International Series. Peter Pinne reports.

Based in New York, the American Ballet Theatre is the United States National Ballet Company, as named by an Act of the United States Congress, and is considered a living national treasure.

Life is Anything but Misérable for Kerrie Anne

Kerrie Anne Greenland, currently appearing as Eponine in the new production of Les Misérables, spoke to Coral Drouyn about her “charmed life” prior to opening night.

Real-life Drama of Peter and Alice

‘All children, except one, grow up,’ are the immortal words that begin J M Barrie’s enduring, dreamlike and magical children’s story Peter Pan. The words also have context, although a very different one, for international playwright John Logan’s play, Peter and Alice, for which Logan has personally granted Adelaide’s Independent Theatre the Australian Premiere this month, starring Will Cox and Pamela O’Grady.