Stage Briefs

Pacific Overtures for Melbourne

Stephen Sondheim’s favourite and most ambitious work will have its first fully realised theatrical season in Melbourne in 2014, including an updated libretto from John Weidman, at Theatre Works from February 19.

Pacific Overtures is a contemporary musical whose narrative begins in 1853, with Commodore Perry’s incursion onto Japanese soil. In a fiercely protected world of shoguns, screens, rice, tea, and bows, a humble fisherman and samurai are sent to ‘stop the boats’ and hold back the tide of Western incursion. At stake is a way of life.

West End Theatre Ceiling Collapses on Audience.

A section of the ceiling and roof of the Apollo Theatre in London’s West collapsed on the audience mid way through the first half of a performance of the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time on Thursday night, injuring at least 88 people including children.

The 775 seat, 112-year old Grade II listed theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, named for the Greek and Roman god Apollo, god of music and the arts,was had a near capacity audience

Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 2013

Wellington was host to the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards last night (15 December) at the Paramount Cinema – to celebrate Wellington’s diverse, adventurous, brave, definitely NOT dying theatre community with awards honouring the best of 2013’s performances and craft.

The evening was MC’d by Hayley Sproull, who also went on to win Best Female Newcomer for her Comedy Festival show Outsiders’ Guide.

Falsettos Cast Announced

Darlinghurst Theatre Company has announced the full cast for its production of Tony Award-winning musical drama Falsettos, opening at the Eternity Playhouse on 7 February 2014 and presented as part of the 2014 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

MTC Rejects Claims by Wesley Enoch Ahead of Parsons Lecture

Wesley Enoch’s Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture at Belvoir on Sunday September 8, 2013, has already stirred up controversy in Melbourne before it is delivered, as evidenced in the following media release from the MTC.

Melbourne Theatre Company is extremely disappointed by QTC Artistic Director Wesley Enoch’s comments quoted in today’s Age newspaper (December 7), accusing the Company of immorally refusing to pay artists in its landmark NEON Festival of Independent Theatre.

The Velveteen Rabbit: Out of Town Premiere for New Australian Musical

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT - A New Musical, a new piece of Australian musical theatre will premiere with an 'out-of-town' run at Windsor Function Centre (NSW) on December 6 & 7 2013.

Based on Margery Williams'  classic children's, it has a script by Gerard Margetson and a score by composer / lyricist Jye Bryant. 

2013 NSW Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture and Fellowship

The 2013 Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture on December 8 will be delivered by Wesley Enoch, Artistic Director of the Queensland Theatre Company.

Sport For Jove: Sydney Outdoor Theatre Rep Season

Sport for Jove celebrates its 5th year as a theatre company, and Shakespeare’s 450th birthday in 2014, with an outdoor repertory theatre season of Cyrano de Bergerac and Much Ado About Nothing in Sydney and the Blue Mountains locations during December 2013 and January 2014.

HOPE AFTER HAIYAN: Charity Concert

Event Entertainers promise an evening of quality entertainment by Sydney musical theatre performers, singers and bands, coming together to support the work of the Australian Red Cross in the Philippines for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The HOPE AFTER HAIYAN Charity Concert on December 8 will bring together those who are connected to this tragedy, artists and audience alike, to share our talents, our stories, doing their part to make a difference.  All proceeds from ticket sales will assist people affected by the widespread destruction across central Philippines.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Little Red Productions is a young, independent theatre company that had its beginnings in 2012. Its aim is to give emerging artists creative opportunities and provide audiences with unique and memorable theatre.

Artistic Director and founder of the company, Jamie Hibbert, is a drama teacher who has a passion for producing fresh interpretations of classic scripts, as well as infusing productions with action, dynamic music and creative staging.