News

Musical Theatre Boosts Victorian Economy

A new report has found that Melbourne’s iconic East End theatres contributed over two-thirds of a billion dollars to the Victorian economy in 2014-15, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the historic venues.

In a report by Ernst & Young released today (July 8, 2016), the East End theatres – the Princess, Her Majesty’s, Regent, Comedy, Forum and Athenaeum theatres ­– also generated an economic impact of $226 million (new money entering the state), and created 3000 jobs.

No Sinking Ship

Creative Producer Robbie Carmellotti talks to Coral Drouyn about StageArt’s new musical production – Titanic – at Chapel off Chapel.

Still Singin’ in the Rain

Coral Drouyn gives her umbrella a workout as the national tour of Singin’ In The Rain takes shape.

It’s sixty-four years ago – and the Golden Age of Hollywood Screen Musicals is at its peak. Within a decade Movie Musical production will be halved, then halved again by 1970. It took until 1977, when Saturday Night Fever revived the genre, to have people flocking back to musicals at the movies.

Defying Gravity

Four of Australia’s favourite leading ladies are preparing to sing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on July 15 and 16. David Spicer spoke with two of them -  Lucy Durack and Helen Dallimore - about their concert called Witches and also asked for their tips to performers playing  the role of Glinda in Wicked in community theatre productions around Australia.

Lucy Durack says nothing beats singing with a symphony orchestra. “If there is a heaven on earth it is singing with the Sydney Symphony.

A Desire for Family

Director Andrei Schiller-Chan talks to Coral Drouyn about his Sol III Production company and its second production.

Dream Lover – Further Cast Announced

Further casting has been announced for the World Premiere production of Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical, which plays at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 22 September for a strictly limited season. Caroline O’Connor, Bert LaBonte, Martin Crewes and Marney McQueen will join David Campbell as Bobby Darin and Hannah Fredericksen as Sandra Dee in the tale of the Grammy award-winning singer and Oscar nominated actor, Bobby Darin.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: JULY / AUGUST 2016 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

In This Edition

KOOZA - Cirque du Soleil’s latest treasure.

Cloudstreet The Opera - How a former judge adapted Tim Winton’s epic novel.

Don’t Mention The War - A new Basil and Sybil for the stage premiere of Fawlty Towers.

Meryl Streep: The Art of Being Awful - On playing the iconic off-key operatic singer Florence Foster Jenkins.

Sue Rider Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

It might have been wet and cold outside, but inside the warmth in the room was palpable when former QPAC CEO Dr Tony Gould presented Sue Rider with the Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award in front of an audience of industry colleagues on Monday June 27, 2016.Rider was a popular and worthy recipient having spent a lifetime working in the theatre, 30 years of it in Brisbane.

Stephen Page To Receive 2016 JC Williamson Award®

Andrew Kay AM, President of Live Performance Australia, today announced that Stephen Page, Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre, will be the recipient of the 2016 JC Williamson Award®.  The announcement was made on the stage of the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House with dancers from Bangarra Dance Theatre in attendance.  The Award will be presented to Stephen Page at the 2016 Helpmann Awards Ceremony on Monday 25 July at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Adelaide’s von Trapp Children

Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian, John Frost and the Really Useful Group have announced the 12 Adelaide children who have been cast in the The Sound of Music. There will be two different casts alternating in the roles of the six youngest von Trapp children during the Adelaide season.

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