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.

On a dreadful day in Melbourne, footie and racing were cancelled, and there were widespread power failures and storm damage.

Friday had been a far happier day for musicals in Melbourne, while Sydney was left wondering why the Australian premieres of so many of the big musicals now occur in the southern capital.

Broadway hit Hairspray was announced for a Melbourne ‘s Princess Theatre in October. It joins Mary Poppins and Rock of Ages as forthcoming shows to have their Australian premieres in Melbourne, building on a list over recent years including Wicked, Jersey Boys, and Drowsy Chaperone.

A lot of it has to do with commercially viable venues. Melbourne is spoilt for choice, with modern and heritage theatres, while Sydney is limited.

Development has seen Sydney theatres, new and old, fall to the wrecker’s ball. The Regent, Her Majesty’s and before them the Tivoli, the Palace and St James, are just memories, replaced by office blocks and apartment buildings. It’s a problem which will only increase when the Opera Theatre is eventually closed for renovation, as discussed in the March / April issue of Stage Whispers, and Opera Australia goes in search of a new home.

Legally Blonde is likely to be the next new musical to have its Australian premiere announced. But where will it premiere?

Image: Jersey Boys (Photo: Jeff Busby)