News

When Will Theatres Re-open?

Even with Australia’s infection rates from COVID-19 the envy of the world, the obstacles to turning the lights back on and filling large capacity theatres anytime soon are immense. Leading Musical Theatre Producer John Frost does not think that he’ll be able to open a big new professional musical until mid-2021.  Smaller producers are hopeful of returning late this year at best. David Spicer reports.

The Sound of Music is Streaming Free This Weekend

This weekend’s FREE musical theatre screening (May 23 and 24, 2020) at 'The Shows Must Go On'  YouTube channel is The Sound of Music.

in a departure from the recent screenings of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, this weekend's production is the 2013 made for television version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, starring Carrie Underwood, Audra McDonald and Christian Borle.

Young Vic’s A Streetcar Named Desire FREE Online

National Theatre At Home’s latest FREE online offering is the Young Vic’s production of Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire, with Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster.

As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski.

A Toast to The Production Company

Sadly,The Production Company’s big final show was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. In place of a standing ovation, Simon Parris celebrates ten of the Melbourne company’s landmark musicals.

Actors Keep Lights on for New Work

The generous spirit of Arts workers is continuing in their darkest hour. Actor and writer James Millar (best known as Matilda’s nemesis - Miss Trunchbull) has helped initiate a project involving 225 artists, who are developing new plays and musicals.

It’s unusual writing an article on being a performing artist during a global pandemic - partly because it feels like there’s nothing to say that isn’t a shared experience, but at the same time not knowing which particular avenue of its destruction to explore.

Darwin Festival to Go Ahead in August

August traditionally means Dry season good times and celebrating with Darwin Festival. This year August might look different, but Darwin Festival will be back – just not as you know it! The success of the Northern Territory's response to COVID-19 and the consequent easing of restrictions mean that Darwin Festival has reimagined how it will engage its core audience ­– the good people of the Territory.

Bite-Sized Adelaide Cabaret Festival Home Delivered

Adelaide Cabaret Festival is going digital with a curated collection of bite-sized clips from artists who were set to feature in the 2020 program.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2020: Bite-Sized & Home Delivered will highlight cabaret favourites sharing posts - stories, snippets and songs recorded whilst they’ve been in isolation and responding to the classic line from Life Is A Cabaret: ‘What Good Is Sitting Alone In Your Room?’

Aussie in Leading Role in the World's Only Major Stage Production

Australian performer Claire Lyon has found herself in the unprecedented situation of starring in the only major production in the world due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera musical, which Claire is playing the role of Christine in the international touring production in Korea, is now considered to be the only major show currently on stage anywhere on the planet (as of today – May 18, 2020)

Heroic Understudies

With theatres around the world dark, Stage Whispers celebrates some heroic performances by actors thrown in at the deep end to take over a role with just a few minutes, hours or days’ notice. David Spicer chronicles some great escapes.

In 2018, Opera Australia tenor Diego Antonio Torre Villegas had just arrived home after an intense two days.

“On Tuesday night I sang in a performance of Aida, then on Wednesday I sang out in rehearsal from 10.30am until 6pm for Lucia Di Lammermoor,” he said.

Art Aches

Since mid-March COVID-19 has been a wrecking ball on the seasons of Australian theatre companies. Some productions squeaked in before the curtains came down, others were cancelled mid-season or just before opening night.  Stage Whispers reviewer Michael Brindley has been sifting through the debris.  

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