News

Opera Queensland Under The Stars and Back in Theatres

Beth Keehn chats with Opera Queensland’s Artistic Director and CEO, Patrick Nolan, and reviews the 2021 season launch at Brisbane’s Riverstage on 28 November, 2020.

Shrek at QPAC First 100% Capacity Audience Musical

Media Release from the Office of the Queensland Minister for the Arts

Shrek, Fiona and Donkey are coming to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in the first major musical to open to a 100% capacity audience in Australia, without a special exemption required, since the onset of COVID-19.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Shrek The Musical would boost tourism, local small business and jobs in the arts sector.

Magic to Do

Image: Matt Jenson, Gabrielle McClinton and Bayley Edmends. Photographer: David Hooley

Coral Drouyn is excited by the return of Pippin to our shores, talking to its creator Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) about the musical almost 50 years after its creation.

ONCE To Tour In 2021

Darlinghurst Theatre Company has been awarded $605,562 through the Australian Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund for a 21-week tour of the musical ONCE in 2021.

Performers’ Union Releases Australia’s First Intimacy Guidelines for Stage & Screen with Industry-wide Support

This Media Release has been received from the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)

Australia’s first Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen will establish new processes for work involving nudity, intimacy, simulated sexual activity and sexual violence to ensure performers are prepared, supported and able to do their best and most daring work.

Why does diversity matter?

A response to Craig Donnell by Chris Fung

Frozen Opens This Week

Disney has been given an early Christmas present by the New South Wales Government by receiving an excemption to play to larger audiences.

The Australian production of Disney’s Frozen, the hit Broadway musical, opens its doors on Tuesday 1st December, 2020 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has lifted the capacity limit inside the theatre to 85%, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Stage Lights Up: (Ghost Light Off)

As theatres across the country slowly reopen their doors we speak with producers across the country about their experiences. As ‘ghost lights’ are dimmed and stage lights switched on, Stage Whispers correspondents Beth Keehn (Queensland), Kimberley Shaw (Western Australia) and Mark Wickett (South Australia) have been out enjoying live theatre again.  Fleet footed smaller theatre companies have led the way. There is a clear message to theatre communities and audiences: be brave, be safe, and get back to support your entertainment venues.

Hedwig Cancellation Sparks Huge Debate

The cancellation of the Sydney season of Hedwig and the Angry Inch following objections from the Australian Transgender community about the casting of Hugh Sheridan has sparked a huge debate.  

Young Frankenstein to Re-Open Hayes Theatre

Hayes Theatre Co will return to the stage in 2021 with a new production of Young Frankenstein, the musical by Mel Brooks, adapted from his own c film which parodies the horror movie genre. Staged by the creative team behind the 2019 production of American Psycho - director Alexander Berlage, choreographer Yvette Lee, and designers Isabel Hudson and Mason Browne - this new production will hit the Hayes stage in February 2021.

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