News

Ensemble Theatre Season 2013

Co-Artistic Directors Sandra Bates and Mark Kilmurry announced the Ensemble Theatre’s 2013 season on Tuesday August 28, 2012, launching the season a with video presentation at the harbour-side theatre in Kirribilli, Sydney.

Eight of the ten plays in the season are new to Sydney, including World Premieres of three new plays from David Williamson, Geoffrey Atherden and Gary Baxter, and five Australian Premieres, alongside new productions of Bombshells (with Sharon Millerchip) and The Glass Menagerie.

See How They Run For Agatha’s Comfy Slippers

It’s been seen by more than ten million people since it opened in London sixty years ago. When the rights to The Mousetrap were released, amateur theatres in Australia and New Zealand got the first bite of the very juicy cheese. It’s no mystery why professional producers have now taken over. Frank Hatherley reports that some theatres would kill to get the rights.

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Lee Lewis New Artistic Director at Griffin

Lee Lewis has been appointed as Griffin Theatre Company’s new Artistic Director, set to take over from Sam Strong on 1 January 2013. 

Lucky Stiff Next Production for Neglected Musicals

Next presentation for Sydney-based Neglected Musicals is Lucky Stiff (Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty).

Directed by Neil Gooding and with Musical Direction by Isaac Hayward, Lucky Stiffis based on the 1983 novel The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth, and will be presented at Darlinghurst Theatre for two performances on October 29 at 2pm and 8pm

Opera Australia Launches Season 2013

Wagner and Verdi are the highlights of season 2013 for Opera Australia in Sydney and Melbourne.

The season was announced on the stage of the Sydney Opera House amidst rousing arias and fireworks.

The prospects for Opera Australia appear bright.

Already the Ring Cycle in Melbourne is all but sold out.

We were told at the launch of the gruelling preparation for the singers involved. They have to learn their own parts and cover for others in what must be a fiendishly challenging learning exercise.

MTC 2013 Season: New Light

Brett Sheehy, Melbourne Theatre Company’s new Artistic Director today (August 23, 2012) announced his inaugural MTC 2013 Season and the celebration of the Company’s 60th anniversary year.

In 2013 MTC presents four world premieres and five Australian premieres of works from UK, Europe, South Africa and USA.

An Audience with Simone Young.

In August, Brisbane audiences are being treated to some of the finest German Opera, Music and Ballet from the nation’s second largest city, Hamburg. Australian conductor Simone Young is wielding the baton for a concert performance of Wagner’s Das Reingold with the Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra. Peter Pinne caught up with Simone Young on the eve of her return.

Peter Pinne: The Hamburg Seasonis an exciting time for Queensland and opera in Australia. How did it come about?

Addams Family Australian Cast

Producer Rodney Rigby and Sandra Chipchase CEO, Destination NSW today (August 21, 2012) announced seven key cast members for the Australian production of the Broadway Musical The Addams Family.

Ladies Night on Tour: Postcard

Jally Entertainment is on the road to present Ladies Night, a funny and most cheeky stage play.

Fifty-three venues across Australia from North Queensland to Canberra will be presenting this comedy. They are sending Stage Whispers the occasional postcard.

The play is about four unemployed guys, motivated by ‘The Chippendales’ to form a male stripping act, in order to make some fast cash.

Death of a Salesman: Update on Colin Friels

Colin Friels is still recovering in hospital after his collapse during Thursday night’s performance of Death of a Salesman. Belvoir’s Artistic Director Ralph Myers visited Friels in hospital yesterday and reported him to be in very good spirits. “Colin has a nasty infection but is being well looked after and is on the mend,” Myers said. “He has been very touched by all the well-wishes.”

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