News

On 21 March 2014 a cast of 60 international and local artists will converge on the purpose-built 1276sqm stage on Sydney Harbour in Opera Australia’s (OA) modern adaption of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Along with the Principal Artists announced last year, the full Madama Butterfly company hails from 11 different countries. The cast joins the company of 626staff and crew that come together to make Handa Opera on Sydney Harbourhappen. The Principal Artists will alternate between the ‘Butterfly’ cast and the‘Pinkerton’ cast.

Sydney’s new home for independent musical theatre, the Hayes Theatre Company, named after Australian triple threat legend Nancye Hayes, opens in February 2014 with a new production of her breakthrough show Sweet Charity. Director Dean Bryant spoke to Neil Litchfield prior to rehearsals.

How do you scale back a Broadway musical like Sweet Charity for an intimate space?

High profile performers Geoffrey Rush, Nancye Hayes, Jacki Weaver and Rhonda Burchmore, and theatrical producer John Robertson, have been recognized in the 2014 Australia Day Honours.

Geoffrey Rush has been recognized with the Companion (AC) in the General Division, for eminent services to the arts as a theatre performer, motion picture actor, and film producer, as a role model and mentor for aspiring artists, and through promotion of the Australian arts industry.

Winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes and an Emmy Award, he was 2012 Australian of the Year.

Sydney’s inaugural Short+ Sweet Cabaret concluded with a Gala Final at New Theatre, Newtown on Sunday January 19. Fifty artists appeared in 10-minute performances during the two weeks of the festival (January 8 – 19), across two separate programs and a special Wildcard performance.

With wide-ranging performances traversing music, comedy, burlesque and more, a number of prizes were presented across various categories.

Best Original Music - Thomas Albert + Samuel Valentine - Dirty Sexy Politics