Stage Briefs

Tommy Cast Apology

The Victorian Opera has issued an apology for its casting of the The Who's Tommy that it will stage in August.

It follows complaints on social media about the lack of diversity in the cast announced.

Here are some examples from their Facebook Page.

Melbourne Theatre Company Goes Digital

With all entertainment venues closed in Melbourne due to the lockdown, the Melbourne Theatre Company is expanding its digital offerings.

Audiences around Australia now have the opportunity to watch the  Company’s production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s brand new play, Berlin, via MTC Digital Theatre.

It arrives as part of MTC Digital Theatre following the success of the Company’s inaugural filmed production, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.

INTACT

Discovery is not always a journey embarked on willingly

New physical theatre company Fuser Production debuts with INTACT  at Woodburn Creatives, Redfern until 27 June 2021. The tangibly intense performance of few words, is driven by themes of inward exploration and re-invention. A dream-like and surreal performance piece, INTACT is grounded in reflection on the limitations of body and mind.

West Side Story Brisbane and Perth Cast Announced

The line up on stage in Brisbane for Opera Australia and GWB Entertainment’s production of West Side Story at QPAC in July and August 2021 features a line-up of local Queensland talent, including leading ladies Sophie Salvesani (Maria) and Angelina Thomson (Anita) alongside Jade Coutts, Grace Driscoll, Sebastien Golenko and Jake O’Brien will join the next generation of musical theatre stars in the production which will open in Brisbane on 24 July, following a season at Crown in Perth.

Surviving Zombie Apocalypse in Brisbane

The current times have revived interest in apocalyptic stories, and the zombie theme isn’t far behind. What should one do when that rare zombie attack does happen? Everyone needs to be prepared to face the worst, and training always comes to the rescue, no matter what.

Entertainment company Dark Stories is presenting its comic seminar How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, an interactive theatre event, in hallowed ground in the heart of the Brisbane CBD – Saint Andrews Uniting Church - opening on the 24th of June.

Queenie van de Zandt to Lead New Production of Next to Normal.

James Terry Collective has announced it will be bringing the Tony Award winning musical Next to Normal to Chapel Off Chapel for a limited season in July 2021.

The production will star Queenie van de Zandt in the leading role of Diana Goodman, the matriarch of a modern-day family traumatised by loss and the unpredictable effects sparked by her Bipolar diagnosis. Queenie’s credits include King Kong (Global Creatures), Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), and Into The Woods (Victorian Opera).

Australian Premiere of Head Over Heels at The Hayes

The team that produced the musical American Psycho in 2019, in association with Hayes Theatre Co, will present the Australian Premiere of the Broadway musical HEAD OVER HEELS. Playing at Hayes Theatre Co from 6 August 2021, HEAD OVER HEELS is a new musical comedy from the creatives behind Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q, Next To Normal and Spring Awakening.

Regional Town Comes to Life on Adelaide Stage in May

Image: James Smith and Ashton Malcolm in Euphoria. Photo by Thomas McCammon

Award-winning South Australian playwright Emily Steel brings regional voices to the fore in May 2021 in Euphoria, a tender and sharply funny tale of good days, bad days and everything in between.

It Was All Him: A New Musical Cabaret to debut at the Cabaret Fringe Festival in Adelaide in June 2021

Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage are presenting a brand new show just in time for this year’s Cabaret Fringe. On June 11 and 12 at Arthur Art Bar (the hub of this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival) see the brand new musical cabaret, It Was All Him, devised by two of Adelaide’s most accomplished performers.

2021 Helpmann Awards Cancelled

Live Performance Australia (LPA) has regretfully announced that the annual Helpmann Awards cannot be presented in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, and its impact on live performance venues and productions across the country.

“Due to the impact of COVID on our industry over the past 12 months, it’s not feasible to proceed with presenting the 2021 Helpmann Awards,” said LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson.