Stage Briefs

Andrew Lloyd Webber in Sydney

David Spicer reports.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is in Sydney to watch Opera Australia’s new grand production of The Phantom of the Opera on the harbour, but poor weather is threatening to rain on his parade.

The superstar music theatre writer celebrated his 74th birthday in the harbour city and posted on Instagram in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Moulin Rouge Heading for Sydney

 

The cast and creatives of Moulin Rouge! The Musical have been guests of honour at a glamorous soire in Sydney, ahead of the production's transfer to the Capitol Theatre in late May.

The champagne corks were popping and exotic canapes were quaffed at Cafe Sydney on a day off for the cast.

After a nightmare start due to Covid, the company is enjoying full houses for their season in Melbourne.

New Sydney Production of Dogfight

POSTPONED

The Mitchell Old Company will present the musical Dogfight at the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre in Sydney from 19 April to 14 May, 2022.

Adelaide Festival 2022 Reviews

The 2022 Adelaide Festival runs from March 4 to 20.

To read a review of a Festival production, click on the links below. 

Image: The Golden Cockerel. Photographer: Andrew Beveridge.

Wudjang: Not The Past 

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Macro

Shen Yun Presents China Before Communism

J.C. Cook reports

The art form at the heart of Shen Yun is classical Chinese dance, developed over thousands of years to become one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

In the years to come, the story of Shen Yun, a New York-based performing arts company, will become a legend about how a group of elite dancers, musicians, and artists used their talents to save their rich and artistic traditional culture from the perils found in modern times.

If/THEN

Image, from Left Romy McIlroy (as Anne); Jade Bohni (as Kate); Stacey-Louise Camilleri (as Elizabeth); Ag Johnson (as Elena)

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered ‘what if’? Or considered how things might have been different if it hadn’t been for one small moment that changed everything? This is the idea explored in Theatrical’s new musical, If/THEN, playing this March 4 -12 at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne

Adelaide Fringe 2022 Reviews

Click on the links below to read individual reviews from the 2022 Adelaide Fringe.

Top image: Venus in Fur

Venus in Fur

Autoeulogy

Letters To The Editor

Hairspray Open Audition

Producers of the upcoming Tony Award winning Broadway production of Hairspray, at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from August, are conducting a national search for a larger than life performer to play the role of the beloved Tracy Turnblad.

“We are looking for someone who is confident and talented who can sing, dance and act and looks the part of the lovable, larger than life Tracy Turnblad,” explained producer John Frost for Crossroads Live.

DUBBO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

Sydney's Hayes Theatre has released an all star concept album for a new rock musical called Dubbo Championship Wrestling which will have its world premiere at the venue in May.

The recording now streaming features iOTA, Vidya Makan, Lara Mulcahy, Genevieve Lemon, Eddie Perfect, Ryan Gonzalez, Amber Lawrence, Loren Hunter, Lucy Durack and David Campbell

The musical is set in the Dubbo Dome; where Ozzy the Aussie Battler flicks his cape and steps into the ring, and the crowd go troppo. 

Stage Whispers TV

Music Spice : David Spicer on his new toy Stage Whispers TV Live.

Since the last edition of this magazine, Stage Whispers has acquired a new toy that I have enjoyed playing with. It is software called Streamyard, which is a bit like Zoom but is tailored to broadcast interviews.

When I worked at the ABC in the good old days there would be a room full of people – camera operators, mixers, switchers, etc for a live broadcast to go to air. Now I can do the lot from my laptop, with talent in another state beamed live onto Facebook and YouTube.