Stage Briefs

Silver Gull Awards

The New Theatre in Newtown (Sydney)  has been hosting the Silver Gull Playwrights Award for a number of years and Les Solomon attended the  (October 14th) annual awards ceremony.

Three plays were shortlisted and six were finalists. This is an important award as it makes the writers in nomination much easier to try and get their works performed by the variety of theatre companies around the country.

Vale Lex Marinos

Iconic Australian actor Lex Marinos has passed away at the age of 75, with his family announcing that he left at the time of his choosing, surrounded by loved ones and the “sounds of Bob Dylan”.

The Wagga Wagga-born son of a Greek immigrant father and a Greek / Australian mother had a five decade-long career across Australia’s entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer and radio presenter.

Opera Australia Turmoil

Opera Australia today announced that Jo Davies will step down from her position as Artistic Director of Australia’s national opera company with immediate effect - less than a year after she took over the role.

The agreed decision follows differences of opinion about how Opera Australia should successfully balance artistic innovation, audience development and commercial imperatives moving forward.

Additional Jesus Christ Superstar Cast Announced

Image Javon King, Michael Paynter and Mahalia Barnes. Photographer: Juliet Taylor

Additional cast members for the Australian tour of the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar have been revealed today. 

Queensland Theatre cancels entire production

The Board of Queensland Theatre has been forced to cancel their season of POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE due to health issues impacting their cast.

Canine Stars Announced as Tickets Go On Sale for Annie

Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live and director Karen Johnson Mortimer have announced their canine stars who will play the role of Sandy in the upcoming Australian production of the Broadway musical Annie. Taking on the role of Annie’s loyal companion will be Bodhi, who has featured in Neighbours, and Sandy who will share the role of Sandy.

New Melbourne Commercial Theatre

Producer Andrew Gyopar has announceed the establishment of a new commercial musical theatre company with a mission to support new Melbourne talent, both on and off stage. The company’s premiere season includes new productions of The Three Little Pigs, Avenue Q and Once. 

The new AG Theatre has evolved from the company the non-for-profit Theatre Inc which just closed a season of The Boy From Oz (pictured above).

Tony Awards 2024

The Outsiders has taken out the Tony Award for Best Musical pipping SUFFS which took out Best Score and Best Book.

The result came despite The Outsiders receiving lukewarm reviews, described by The New York Times as a compelling if imperfect musical and The Guardian as competent but forgettable.

The Boy From Oz in Melbourne

Prolific independent musical theatre company Theatrical is excited to present The Boy From Oz, playing for a limited season at National Theatre Melbourne from 6-21 July.

Starring in the musical is acclaimed Peter Allen tribute artist Matthew Hadgcraft, who has been performing his own Peter Allen show across Australia since 2015. 

In the Heights at Sydney Opera House in July

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ground-breaking debut musical In the Heights arrives at the Sydney Opera House for a strictly limited six-week season from 20 July to 25 August, 2024.