News

In memoriam – Neale Warrington

1 August 1930–7 August 2025

There are some people who have such a profound influence on your life – and especially a life in the Theatre – that it is impossible to separate them from almost every single moment and memory of your journey. Neale Alan Warrington, who has passed away in Melbourne, was one such person in my life. And the lives of many, many, others.

Ensemble Theatre 2026 Season

Image: Bette & Joan. Jeanette Cronin as Bette Davis and Lucia Mastrantone as Joan Crawford.

Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2026 season, featuring fresh Australian voices, the international plays and new and returning Ensemble faces across 10 plays and one special event.

Opera Australia Unveils 70th Anniversary Season for 2026

Opera Australia has unveiled its 70th anniversary season for 2026. Acting CEO Simon Militano said Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary season honours the talented creators, performers, loyal supporters and audiences who have shaped the company’s legacy across seven decades. 

“We’re proud to present a season of extraordinary productions that revive some operatic masterpieces and crowd favourites and invest in new productions that shine a light on emerging talent and stories that reflect the diversity of Australian communities.

Ben Hall To Join Samantha Jade In Pretty Woman

Star of stage and screen Ben Hall will be joining Samantha Jade in the cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical, which makes its debut at QPAC Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane in October before debuting at Theatre Royal Sydney from November.

Based on the iconic film, Ben will play the role of Edward Lewis, famously played by Richard Gere and is joining Samantha Jade, who will play the role made famous across the globe by the much-loved Julia Roberts.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: JULY AUGUST 2025 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

IN THIS EDITION

Purr-fect Return

Todd McKenney and choreographer Chrissie Cartwright on Cats

Praise Be, Or Cancel It?

The Book of Mormon comes knocking at our Stage Doors again

Bleeding for Kimberley Akimbo

Mitchell Butel on Kimberley Akimbo and his new role at the STC

A Step in Time

The Choreographer on Easy Street

Debora Krizak – Miss Hannigan in

Eddie’s Perfect Beetlejuice

Imagine starring in the musical you composed the songs for, that made it to Broadway and scored you a Tony nomi

Samantha Jade to Star in Pretty Woman. Sydney Season Announced.

Samantha Jade will star as Vivian in the upcoming Broadway and West End musical PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical, which makes its debut at QPAC Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane in October before debuting at Theatre Royal Sydney from November.

Based on the iconic film, Samantha will play the role made famous worldwide by the much-loved Julia Roberts.

When Everything Wrong is RIGHT

The Play That Goes Wrong has returned to Australia and New Zealand.

PUSH IT! Undercover Artist Festival 2025 Launch.

Beth Keehn reports

For one week from 22 to 27 September 2025, Undercover Artist Festival (UAF) will take over Queensland Theatre’s (QT’s) stages. Festival Director, Maddie Little, launched her PUSH IT! program with a packed studio of fans and followers at QT’s Diane Cilento Studio on 19 June.

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