News

AUSTRALIA DAY: THE PLAY

Funny man Jonathan Biggins is going ‘straight’. The star of the highly successful Wharf Revue has penned a play about Australia’s national day. The Melbourne Theatre Company premieres the production in April before it touches down in Canberra and Sydney later this year.   Frank Hatherley shared a coffee with Mr Biggins. But first here’s a sneak preview. The setting is an Australia Day Committee meeting in a small coastal town...

 

Sydney Next to Normal Cancelled

Today Paul Jay, the Producer of rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL announced that due to circumstances beyond his control the season has been cancelled.

NEXT TO NORMAL was due to open on 13 September 2012 at the Capitol Theatre.

Ticket holders should contact their original point of purchase to arrange a refund.

July 25, 2012.

Our Earlier Coverage

Celia Pacquola

Comedian and writer Celia Pacquola, currently appearing in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, speaks to Tammy Shmerling.

Celia Pacquola is buzzing. When we meet she has just finished her first performance of comedy show Delayed for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Energy and nerves are high as she ponders audience responses.  

Sydney Philanthropist Criticises Axing of Queensland Premier’s Literary Award

The day after the Queensland government scrapped the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award, which included the Award for an Unpublished Indigenous Writer, the David Unaipon Award, Belvoir has announced The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award. Neil Balnaves AO of The Balnaves Foundation made an impassioned speech at the launch decrying governments’ lack of support for the arts.

Broadway Legend Ben Vereen Melbourne and Sydney Bound

Already announced for Adelade’s Cabaret Festival, it has now been confirmed that Broadway legend Ben Vereen will also be Steppin’ Out in Sydney and Melbourne with his unique blend of artistry, combining a journey of his amazing career on Broadway, and paying tribute to Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. Coming to Sydney and Melbourne for one night only this performance filled with song and dance, stories of his life, and a great deal of humour will show at the Atheneum Theatre, Melbourne on June 23 and the Parade Theatre (NSW) on June 28.

No Musicals Week.

When the curtain came down on Love Never Dies at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on Sunday April 1, it marked the beginning of Eastern Australia’s no big musicals week. 

Across Australia, only Perth seems to have escaped the major commercial musicals drought, thanks to the opening of Mary Poppins on Friday March 30.

Every major theatre in Sydney is dark, including the Lyric, Theatre Royal and Capitol Theatre.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2012

The impressive line-up of national and local artists for Kate Ceberano’s debut year as Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, from June 8 to 23, will have plenty to delight music theatre fans, featuring international stars Lea Salonga, Ben Vereen, Eden Espinosa (pictured) and Sherie Rene Scott, along with popular local talents Debra Byrne, Kane Alexander, Sharon Millerchip and Justin Burford.

Contact! Operatic Soapie invades the Suburban Netball Court

When Angus Grant was a music teacher at Melbourne’s Mac.Robertson Girls High School, he already had the workings of his netball musical Contact! in his head, Georgia Brooks, one of his then students, told Stage Whispers’ Lucy Graham.

The Producers, Chess and Promises, Promises for The Production Company

The Production Company will present The Producers, Chess and Promises, Promises in its 2012 season at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melboune.

The season commences with Mel Brooks' The Producers from July 10 – 15.

The production wil star Wayne Scott Kermond, Brent Hill, Christie Whelan, Mitchell Butel, Trevor Ashley and Rohan Browne

IT’S ALL OVER IF THE FAT CHANDELIER SINKS.

They’ve billed it as they greatest show on water. In March/April Opera Australia is staging La Traviata on a massive stage on Sydney Harbour. For Brian Thomson, Australia’s most successful set designer, it’s another milestone. David Spicer asked him to compare this project with other acclaimed sets he’s built in Australia and on Broadway.

David Spicer: What is the budget for La Traviata and how does it compare to other productions you have worked on?