News

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: July / August 2017 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

In This Edition

Big Brother Still Watching

Inside the stage adaptation of Orwell’s 1984

Michael Cassel

Aussie Producer’s journey from Kiama to Kinky Boots

Paris Professional Premiere

Jon English musical rebirthed by son

The Dawn of Digital Theatre

Theatre technology from the middle ages to today

 

Inside The Tony Awards

Ian Phipps reports on Broadway’s night of nights

The Magical Touch of Alan Menken's Music

The opening of the musical Aladdin at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne brought composer Alan Menken to the city. Patricia Di Risio listened in as Menken explained a little about the art of making musicals.

Alan Menken loves being interviewed next to a grand piano, allowing him to break up the talking with some of his beautiful melodies. In the case of Aladdin, the most famous tune is “A Whole New World”, the centerpiece of the original animated film and now the musical.

The Magic of Circus.

With Circus of Illusion playing on the Gold Goast, Coral Drouyn looks at how a local circus has diversified to stay alive.

Who has not, at some time in their life, wanted to run away from home and join the circus? It’s been the ultimate fantasy of misunderstood youths for over two hundred years – no, make that 2,000.

Priscilla Returns for 10th Anniversary Tour

Aussie musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert is off on a national tour, starting in Melbourne in January 2018 with stops in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

After playing Broadway, the West End, Europe and Asia, Simon Phillips' production Priscilla Queen of the Desert makes a returns to Australia for its 10th anniversary.

The musical is based on the film about Mitzi, Felicia and former Les Girl, Bernadette – who hop aboard a battered old bus named Priscilla bound for Alice Springs.

Jimmy Webb on Tour

Coral Drouyn is excited about the arrival of one of the world’s greatest songwriters.

2017 Helpmann Award Nominees

The countdown to the 17th Annual Helpmann Awards is on, following the announcement of the 2017 Helpmann Award Nominees on June 19.

The Helpmann Awards are the premier celebration of Australia’s vibrant live performance industry and recognise distinguished achievement and excellence in Australia’s live performance sectors including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentation for children, regional touring and cabaret.

Geordie Brookman Introduces Creative Ensemble in 2017

2017 marks a new direction for State Theatre Company of SA, with the formation of a Creative Ensemble - a group of actors and creatives taking residence to work on a number of productions and creative developments in 2017 and 2018. At the time of formation, in 2017 State Theatre Company is the only major theatre company in Australia to engage a resident ensemble of actors.

Queen of Broadway - the Ethel Merman Story

Jon Jackson is performing Queen of Broadway - the Ethel Merman Story as part of the 2017 Melbourne Cabaret Festival. He spoke to Stage Whispers about the show and legendary star Ethel Merman.

Your show for this year’s Melbourne Cabaret Festival is a celebration of Ethel Merman. Canyou tell me a little about her?

Muriel’s Wedding The Musical Cast Announced

Muriel Heslop is back! And this time she’s singing. Stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, Muriel is obsessed with the music of ABBA and dreaming of a fairytale wedding – the white dress, the church, the attention. Unfortunately, there’s one thing missing. A groom. Leaving small-town life, her long suffering mother and bullying father behind, she follows her dreams to Sydney with new best friend Rhonda. There she ends up with everything she ever wanted – a man, a fortune and a gazillion Twitter followers. That’s when things start to go really wrong.

Cyrens – The Swingin’ Songbook of Cy Coleman 

Melissa Langton talks about Cyrens The Swingin’ Songbook of Cy Coleman, part of the 2017  Melbourne Cabaret Festival

Tell me about Cyrens, how did the three of you come together?