News

The Production Company - 2010 Season Announced

Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company has announced her company’s 2010 season today (March 9).

Lloyd Webber’s New Phantom - Soon to Haunt West End and World Stages

With new Lloyd Webber musical Love Never Dies opening in the West End, we take this opportunity to put Doug Mayo's article from the January / February edition od Stge whispers online.

Bigger than Ben Hur? Chariot Race Spectacle Goes for Box Office Gold at Olympic Stadium.

Tonight (March 8) Sydney radio personality Alan Jones touted Ben Hur – The Stadium Spectacular as the biggest theatrical event ever seen in Australia.

Ben Hur – The Stadium Spectacular, beginning a world tour, will perform exclusively at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium for two nights only on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 October.

This is a Sydney exclusive performance. There will be no other performances in Australasia.

Foul Day Follows Fair for Melbourne Musical Theatre

Singin’ in the rain, maybe, but song and dance in the hail, forget it. Melbourne's hail storm was a real showstopper, albeit temporarily.

In Melbourne on Saturday, March 6, two of three big musicals were paused, though in true showbiz tradition, both Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys eventually did ‘go on’.

Was it raining Cats and dogs at the Regent? Apparently it seemed like it was raining on stage at Lloyd Webber’s feline musical.

West Side Cast

American Director / Choreographer Joey McKneeley has announced the exciting young Australian cast for a new production of West Side Story, which begins its Australian tour on July 1 at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, Star City.

McKneeley’s association with West Side Story, and with legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins, began when he danced in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Subsequently Robbins personally selected McKneeley to recreate his original West Side Story choreography, which he has since done around the globe.

Keating Banned then Unbanned.

Keating! The Musical makes its Tasmanian Premiere this week – but all the action has been off stage.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: March / April 2010 Edition - OUT NOW!

Buy copies at http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/products

Subscribe and read back issues at www.stagewhispers.com.au/subscribe

Cover image: Clare Bowen and Andrew Hazzard in Sydney Theatre Company’s Spring Awakening (Playing at the Sydney Theatre until March 7). Photo: Brett Boardman.

In this issue:

Michael Gow to Depart QTC

 Michael Gow, currently in his 11th year as Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company, will leave the Company to pursue freelance writing and directing. He has declined the Board’s offer of a further contract following the expiry of his current contract, due in August 2010.
It is anticipated that Gow will program the major part of the 2011 season and continue his relationship with the Company as a freelance artist.

FULL HOUSE CATS.

More than a thousand people packed the Canberra Theatre to toast and celebrate another year of vintage community theatre on February 20.

HITS MISS OUT, WHILE BOX OFFICE LOSERS PROSPER.

Each year taxpayers pay millions to tour shows to regional Australia. A special investigation by Stage Whispers reporter David Spicer reveals that productions with limited audience appeal are getting funding while potential hits are snubbed.