News

Madiba The Musical

The late South African President Nelson Mandela would have turned 100 in July. Now a French musical, Madiba the Musical - a Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela, is set to tour Australia and New Zealand. The composer lyricist Jean-Pierre Hadida spoke with David Spicer ahead of the production’s English translation première.

What inspired you about the story of Mandela?

Playwright Sparks Worldwide Creative Connections

What happens when a playwright creates direct connections with some of the worldwide companies producing that writer’s play? Two years ago, Stage Whispers’ SA Correspondent discovered the benefits of this rare brand of creative collaboration for herself when she performed as Lily in the Australian Premiere of English comedic drama, Sex Cells, written by London-based playwright Anna Longaretti.

David Walters’ Lifetime Achievement Award

Last Monday 18 June, 2018, a large group of industry professionals gathered at MEAA, Brisbane, to celebrate Lighting Designer David Walters being honoured with the Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution and continued support of the Arts Industry in Queensland. It was the first time a Lighting Designer had been recognised in the awards.

Murphy’s Merry Widow

Choreographer / director Graeme Murphy speaks to Coral Drouyn on the eve of his production of The Merry Widow for Opera Queensland at QPAC.

Muriel's Wedding Scoops Helpmann Nominations.

Muriel's Wedding the Musical is set to dominate the Helpmanns next month after receiving 11 nominations for Australia's peak live performing arts awards.

The Global Creatures/Sydney Theatre Company production nominations include Best Musical, Best Director (Simon Phillips), Best New Australian Work and Best Actress Maggie McKenna.

The Boy from Oz Cast Announced

The Production Company has announced full details of the cast and creative team for its 20th Anniversary Season of the iconic all Australian musical, The Boy from Oz. To meet demand company has released tickets for a further six performances.

The Boy from Oz will open in the State Theatre on 11 August for an extended season now running until 26 August. Presented by arrangement with View Films and Robert Fox Ltd.

Sydney's Triple Threat Trifecta

A trifecta of musical theatre productions will premiere in Sydney over the next two years. The Kander and Ebb masterpiece Chicago will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in 2019; the worldwide hit musical Saturday Night Fever will open at the Capitol Theatre in 2019; and the Australian premiere of the Broadway smash hit Waitress will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in 2020.

She Loves Me at Hayes - Cast Announced

The Hayes Theatre Co have announced the cast members for the upcoming romantic musical comedy She Loves Me. Chosen for the inaugural Artist-Led Production Initiative, this heart-warming musical will play at Hayes Theatre Co from 24 August with tickets on sale now at hayestheatre.com.au

Assassins Star Leaves Stage in Agony

The Hayes Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins  had its share of opening night drama when star Bobby Fox suffered a serious ankle injury and left the theatre in agony.

Bobby Fox, portraying Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President James Garfield, was in the middle of a furious skipping sequence when he severely twisted his ankle.

Modernised Musical Jane Austen for Adelaide

Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman met while students in New York University’s Graduate program in musical theatre writing. There, they began the process of creating songs that would eventually be at the heart of a modern musical, I Love You Because, based on a classic story that was written two centuries earlier. Now, Adelaide’s Emma Knights is bringing that musical to the Adelaide stage. Lesley Reed reports.