Stage Briefs

An Audience with Smoky and Herb

Glenn T, the playwright, director and producer of one man show An Audience with Smoky and Herb, starring Ian Stenlake, which will be staged at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC in October, speaks to Roger McKenzie.

 

STC appoints Jonathan Church as Artistic Director

Jonathan Church will succeed Andrew Upton as Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company (STC), it was announced today, 25 August 2015. The British artist has been Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre since 2006 and is credited with completely transforming the much-loved UK institution.

Hugh Jackman Set to Return to Oz

Hugh Jackman announced today that he will bring his one-man show to entertainment arenas across Australia this year.

It was described this way by Playbill:

"The one-man song-and-dance spectacular finds Jackman fronting an 18-piece orchestra and performing an array of songs from across the musical spectrum — Rodgers and Hammerstein, American Songbook classics, movie medleys, Peter Allen pop hits. There's even a surprise musical nod to his native Australia."

Stay tuned.

 

Pulling Out All The Plugs

Broadway Unplugged at The Vanguard in Newtown.

The Shape of Things for Sydney Fringe

As the 2015 Sydney Fringe Festival approaches, Jordy Shea prepares to direct and produce Neil LaBute’s well-known play; The Shape of Things at the Kings Cross Theatre. The play stars former West End children’s performer Tina Jackson (last seen in Little Orphan Trashley-Sydney Opera House) and Brave New Word Theatre artistic director Luke Holmes as Evelyn & Adam respectively. The play, which explores art, society, subjectivity and personal relationships, was made into a film featuring Paul Rudd & Rachel Weisz.

Ambassador Theatre Group Leases Theatre Royal Sydney

The renewal of Sydney’s MLC Centre has reached another significant milestone, with co-owners QIC and The GPT Group [ASX:GPT] having agreed terms with Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) for a lease and the management of the Theatre Royal in Sydney.

The Theatre Royal, part of the MLC Centre and situated on King Street, is Sydney’s oldest theatrical institution and one of the city’s premier commercial theatre venues. 

13 The Musical for Bankstown

Following their productions of Hot Shoe Shuffle (starring Daryl Somers) and Keating: The Musical, Sydney independent musical theatre company Birdie Productions now steps up the energy with the cultish hit teen musical: 13– the first ever Broadway show to feature an all-child cast and band.

Cast Announced for Violet at the Hayes Theatre Co.

Blue Saint Productions, in association with Hayes Theatre Co, have announced the cast for the Australian Premiere of the musical Violet, to be presented at Hayes Theatre Co in Nov/Dec 2015.

INXS – The Musical in Development

Chris Murphy (pictured) has announced the unveiling of the Murphy Theatrical Group and their first production, INXS – The Musical, confirmed to be in development.

Murphy is returning to his roots in theatre by re-forming his parents’ company, which was established 55 years ago and created and paved new roads into the live musical market.

A Tender Thing – S.A. Premiere

Shakespeare’s works have been adapted in many ways through the centuries, including for modern stage audiences and for film and television.

Perhaps the most radically different adaptation of all has been Ben Power’s A Tender Thing. This September, Adelaide’s Growling Grin Productions presents the South Australian premiere of Power’s uniquely different and emotionally powerful play at Star Theatres Hilton.