Stage Briefs

To remember David Bowie on his birthday and to mark the fifth anniversary of his untimely death, producers Robert Fox and RZO Entertainment Inc are exclusively releasing the stream of the London production of Lazarus, captured live on stage. The streaming will be available for three performances only. This will be the UK premiere of the filmed version of this remarkable show.

Lazarus includes songs from Bowie’s iconic catalogue as well as new songs written for the stage including the title song, Lazarus.

The big theatre re-opening in Sydney is under threat, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 on the northern beaches.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that until Wednesday evening, December 23, 2020, no indoor hospitality venues can have more than 300 patrons.

The State is also reverting to the one person for every four-square metre rule and restrictions on singing have been re-introduced.

This follows confirmation that 30 people contracted COVID-19 on Saturday, and a further 15 on Sunday through community transmission.

A Melbourne Magistrate has cleared actor Craig McLachlan of 13 assault and indecent assault charges relating to his behaviour during the Melbourne season of The Rocky Horror Show.

According to ABC news Magistrate Belinda Wallington described the four women complainants as “brave and honest witnesses.”

"I was not persuaded that there was evidence of collusion between the complainants. I was not persuaded that there was evidence of motive or that the complaints were made for reasons for career ambition or for any other such reason."

The cancellation of the Sydney production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch due to a casting controversy generated more than 500 comments from the readers of Stage Whispers.

A debate raged for over a week about whether actors should be cast according to their gender, sexuality or race.

We were saddened to read a report in the Daily Mail that Hugh Sheridan  - the star of the cancelled production -  spent a few days in hospital due to stress.