News

Dr. Theatre Rescues Actress

Imagine being a prolific actress and a playwright at the same time as managing chronic back pain.  That’s the life of Kate Mulvany, who has been cast as the lead in Bell Shakespeare’s Richard III. It was her unique connection to England’s much maligned King that in part inspired her to take on the role. David Spicer reports.

When the skeletal remains of Richard III were exhumed in 2012, more than 500 years after he was killed in battle, Kate Mulvany felt awful for him.

Of Cats, Books, Plays and Writing

Throwing Shade Theatre Company’s new production of Australian play Down an Alley Filled with Cats plays at King Street Theatre, Newtown from April 25 to May 13. Playwright Warwick Moss and director Tom Richards play cat and mouse (or is it devil’s avocado?)

Warwick: Tom, what attracted you to the play besides it having been written by a genius. Why did you want to direct it?

No Small Role

Musical Theatre star Michael Cormick talks to Coral Drouyn on joining the cast of Cabaret for its Melbourne season.

New Aussie Play, New Sydney Theatre Venue

Neveen Hanna and Michael Wood appear in the new Australian play The Future Seekers, premiering at a new venue from 20 April. Here they talk about the play, their roles and performing in the theatre.

 

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2017

Artistic directors Ali McGregor and Eddie Perfect (pictured left), together with Adelaide Festival Centre, have announced a program of 430 artists in 147 performances over the 16 days and nights of the 2017 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. There are 58 international artists from as far afield as the United States, Ireland, United Kingdom, Japan and New Zealand, together with 372 Australian artists including 234 from South Australia.

The Play That Goes Wrong

A group of out-of-work actors put on a short play in front of their friends and family in a pub and just a few years later it is a global phenomenon. David Spicer speaks with two of the founders of the Mischief Theatre Company - Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer - ahead of their play’s Australian debut and national tour.

Naturally something went wrong when I tried to interview these two men. The telephone hook-up was just after midnight London time, after they had finished a performance in the West End – but there was mishap.

2017 Green Room Award Winners

The 34th Annual Green Room Awards were presented live at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre on Monday night, March 27, 2017. The Association's Patron, Julia Zemiro, hosted the evening and was joined onstage by some of Melbourne's most influential performers and industry leaders to celebrate the outstanding work presented in Melbourne during 2016.

Fireworks at Opera Australia

The opening of Opera Australia’s annual extravaganza on Sydney Harbour has been marred by an extraordinary rebuke of the company by three of the original creatives of the production of Carmen. David Spicer reports.

A statement has been released by the original director of the 2013 production, Gale Edwards, set designer Brian Thompson and costume designer Julie Lynch.

“As the key Creative Team we feel it is important that the press and public understand that (none of us) have been invited back to oversee the re-mount. 

Michael Gow's Away Returns

Weather not unlike Sydney’s recent heat wave prevailed in January 1986, when Away opened at Sydney’s Stables Theatre – 37 degrees on opening night, and no air conditioning. “But it still worked, which was gratifying,” playwright Michael Gow told Neil Litchfield.

Controversial Title Belies Honest, Everywoman Play

Her mother hoped she’d never go into show business, but the daughter of well-known Australian actors Paula Duncan and John Orcsik did just that. Now Jessica Orcsik is producing and acting in a play that is creating pushback and controversy. Why? Simply because of its title. Lesley Reed reports.

Written, produced and acted by women, there’s a dark little comedy on its way, about the friendship between two working women who use wit and grit to battle their demons.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.