News

Aussie Lead of Bat Out Of Hell

With the national arena tour of Bat Out of Hell the Musical underway, David Spicer speaks to Kellie Gnauck, who has scored the lead role of RAVEN.  

From a shy performer with the Gosford Musical Society in NSW, Kellie is now lighting up arenas in the musical crafted from the songs of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf.

Kellie, congrats on your lead role. How exciting is it to perform in these large arenas?

2022 Sydney Theatre Awards Winners Announced

The winners of the 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards were announced on January 23, 2023 at a star-studded ceremony, with 30 Awards presented, shared between 18 productions which played on Sydney stages during 2022. Over 500 members of the Sydney theatre community gathered at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre to celebrate.

2022 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artist Fellowship

Belvoir has announced Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri actor and creative Dalara Williams as the 2022 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellow.

Liz Jones Passes The Torch at La Mama

After 50 years at La Mama Theatre, Dr Liz Jones AO will step down from her role as Artistic Director and co-CEO at the end of March 2023. This was be announced at the launch of La Mama’s Summer 2023 program on January 16, with performers and theatre-makers in attendance.

Liz’s decision to transition to a less demanding role at La Mama signals a tectonic shift in the arts landscape, however, her legacy is one of unparalleled commitment to the artists, performers, staff and audiences who have made La Mama the institution it is today. 

Bat Out of Hell The Arena Rock Musical National Tour

Paul Dainty AM, President and CEO of TEG DAINTY is thrilled to confirm that Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, commences a national tour in Sydney in on January 27, 2023 and plays Arenas around the country. The show will play dates in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Out and About with Les Solomon

Agent and director Les Solomon is excited to commence a new occasional column for Stage Whispers. In his first report he raves about movie Matilda, Phantom in Melbourne, Australia’s original Dolly the late Carole Cook and more.

From Page to Stage in 2023

Image: Kimie Tsukakoshi and Merlynn Tong in The Poison of Polygamy. Photographer: Rene Vaile.

2022 Sydney Theatre Awards Nominations

Nominations have been announced for the 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards, which will be presented at an industry gala ceremony on Monday 23 January 2023 at 7pm at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre.

Musicals in 2023

​Image: Euan Fistrovic Doidge in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Musical theatre across Australia in 2023 promises a mix of blockbuster revivals as commercial theatre recovers from the last couple of years, interspersed with some recent big hits from Broadway and the West End, and a healthy number of new Australian works. Scroll through this feature to see what's new in musical theatre, what continuues to tour, what old favourites are set to return, and some exciting intimate productions.

A Tale of Two Christmas Carols

Image: David Wenham and the ensemble in A Christmas Carol in Melbourne. Photographer: Jeff Busby.

A hit when it was first published in 1843, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol shows no sign of slowing down. Major productions are on stage in Melbourne and Sydney during December 2022, starring David Wenham and John Bell as Scrooge. David Spicer speaks to the stars and creatives.

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