Stage Briefs

Grants for Performing Artists

The charity Support Act invites performing arts workers to apply for short term financial support as part of their Crisis Relief program funded by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts.

Professional artists eligible for the grants are:

Brisbane Ring Cycle Again Postponed Due to COVID-19

Opera Australia has announced it has been forced to postpone the Brisbane premiere of the world’s first fully digital Ring Cycle for the second year running due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

After originally being programmed for 2020, the production dubbed the ‘Everest of opera’ was re- scheduled to open at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on 29 October this year.

Lockdown Forces Further Changes to STC 2021 Season

As the restrictions for Greater Sydney continue, Sydney Theatre Company has made further changes to its performance schedule with the announcement that Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s adaptation of Roald Dahl classic Fantastic Mr Fox will not be going ahead in 2021 and the upcoming

Opera Australia Announces New CEO

Opera Australia has announced that international performing arts leader Fiona Allan has been appointed as the Company’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Six The Musical Rescheduled

As a result of the ongoing disruptions created by the Sydney lockdown and the consequential measures put in place by state governments around border closures, the producers of SIX THE MUSICAL have confirmed the previously announced Brisbane season has now been rescheduled to commence in January 2023.

The Australian tour was due to start rehearsals in Sydney this September 2021 followed by performances in Brisbane this November 2021, however the delay will now see the tour commencing in Sydney this December 2021.

Next to Normal Resumes at Chapel off Chapel

The snap lockdown in Victoria has again devastated the arts. An independent production of the of musical Next to Normal has been closed for a second time.

“This is just soul destroying. (Thursday) was meant to be our opening night of Next to Normal in Melbourne. Cancelled last time and now this. My heart bleeds to the beautiful talented cast of this show and more importantly to Producer James Terry who is an incredible human being to try and try again." wrote lighting designer Jason Bovaird on his facebook page.

Jagged Little Pill The Musical Postponed

Now opening in December 2021 - Read more

Producers have today announced the postponement of the Australian premiere of JAGGED LITTLE PILL from September as a result of the current COVID-19 situation in Greater Sydney and NSW and uncertainty about future gathering and movement restrictions affecting the operation of theatres.

Theatre Companies Celebrate Grants

Eighty-two private and public arts organisations across the country have been awarded  $40 million under the fourth batch of grants from the $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.

Lloyd Webber's Cinderella Makes It To The Ball

David Spicer reports.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has had his first critical success in many a year, following the triumphant opening of his new musical adaptation of Cinderella.

As the Times reviewer noted, "We’ve reached the point where the making of this on-off show could almost be material for another musical. The postponements and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s increasingly anguished pronouncements have threatened to upstage his revamped version of the fairytale."

Victorian Theatres Smashed Again

Artists have reacted with depair at Victoria's latest lockdown with the timing of the restrictions coming at the worst time for many productions.

David Spicer reports.

Disney's Frozen had only just opened on Wednesday night (July 14, 2021), and like all other theatre is now closed until Tuesday night, when the five-day lockdown is scheduled (for now) to finish.

Performer Queenie van de Zandt wrote about her experience in an independent production of Next to Normal.