Stage Briefs

New Rom Com for Sydney Stage

For Malcolm Frawley, whose career has spanned theatre, film and television for almost 40 years, teaming up with up-and-coming producer Jordy Shea has been a reunion of all sorts.

New Team Takes Over Old Fitz

It was announced today (November 3, 2014) that the 2015 programming and management for the Old Fitzroy Theatre at the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomooloo has been awarded to Red Line Productions, run by Andrew Henry, Sean Hawkins and Vanessa Wright. Red Line Productions most recently produced Howie The Rookie at the Old Fitz Theatre, directed by Toby Schmitz and starring Andrew Henry and Sean Hawkins.

Sydney Theatre to be Renamed Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay

Sydney Theatre Company today (October 22, 2014) announced that Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay is to be renamed Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay, effective from March 2015.

The STC media release explains the name change as follows.

The renaming is in recognition of Roslyn Packer’s decades-long, generous support and commitment to the arts in Australia. For over 40 years, Roslyn Packer AO has played a leading role in campaigns for giving to a wide range of charities and is regarded as one of Australia’s most significant benefactors of the arts.

Bert Newton to Narrate Rocky Horror in Sydney

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost have announced that Bert Newton will play the Narrator in the Sydney season of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show in April 2015. Newton is currently appearing as Vince Fontaine in the national tour of John Frost’s production of Grease, and has also performed on stage in Wicked, The Producers, Annie, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz.

Spiegelworld Follows EMPIRE with ABSINTHE

Following the successful 2013/2014 Australian tour of EMPIRE, Spiegelworld will be bringing its hit Las Vegas show ABSINTHE to Australia in 2015. The national tour of ABSINTHE by Spiegelworld will be presented by Nine Live and will open in Newcastle on February 17 2015, followed by seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney with other dates to be announced.

NIDA End-of-year Season

The National Institute of Dramatic Art’s October 2014 program includes five productions by award-winning directors and playwrights featuring the next generation of Australia’s actors and creative professionals, there is something for everyone this season.

PERFORM STRONGER FOR LONGER

Musical theatre leading man Josh Piterman has opened Australia’s first functional fitness centre for performers, dancers and everyone-in-between

 

Next to Normal for Hayes Theatre Co

Doorstep Arts (Geelong, Victoria) will bring their acclaimed production of Next to Normal to Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Co from January 8 to February 1, 2014.

 

Handa Opera on the Harbour 2015: AIDA

Single tickets are now on sale for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Aida. The fourth year of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is set to be the biggest yet with more than 700 people needed to bring the spectacle to life. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Aida will run from 27 March to 26 April 2015. Ticket prices start at $79.

 

Things are Shaping Up at UTS

The Backstage Theatre Society stages the 2001 Neil LaBute play The Shape of Things at University of Technology, Sydney from October 2, 2014.