News

New Director for Sydney Festival 2013-15

Sydney Festival today announced Lieven Bertels as the new Director for Sydney Festival 2013-15.

Lieven Bertels is currently Artistic Coordinator for Holland Festival, the Netherlands’ oldest and largest annual arts festival. Bertels helped to re-establish the event as a leading presenter and producer of contemporary music, opera and non-western work.

Hairspray - Fun Facts and Hair-Raising Figures

The full cast and crew of Hairspray  will come together tomorrow (2 June) as the Sydney premiere of the smash-hit musical draws near. Preview performances commence on 11 June in advance of the star-studded Premiere on Thursday 23 June.

Lloyd Webber in Oz for Love Never Dies

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been composing new music right up to the eve of opening of the Australian premiere of Love Never Dies, Lucy Graham reports from today's media preview at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

At the Love Never Dies sneak-peek held at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre today, Director Simon Phillips revealed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed additional new music since arriving in Australia last Friday for the Australian premiere.

Noosa Preview for new David Williamson / Mohamed Khadra Play

A sneak preview of David Williamson and Mohamed Khadra’s latest play will form part of the 70 plus event program of theatre, dance, music, food, literature, forums and workshops staged in various venues across Noosa over 10, culture filled days and nights. It is among a number of Australian and Queensland exclusive performances on offer at this year’s Noosa Longweekend Festival (June 17-26, 2011).

Book of Mormon and Anything Goes Big Drama Desk Winners

Big winners at New York’s 2011 Drama Desk Awards, were The Book of Mormon (Outstanding Musical) and Anything Goes (Outstanding Musical Revival), with five awards each. The Normal Heart (Outstanding Revival) and War Horse (Outstanding Play) took out the top awards in the drama categories. The awards presented at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan on May 23.

Strictly Ballroom Premiere for Sydney

UPDATE: Strictly Ballroom The Musical now to open in March 2014 - link to more details

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell today announced the stage musical of the iconic Australian film Strictly Ballroom will have its world premiere and first run in Sydney at the Lyric Theatre from September 2013.

World Premiere for Ron Elisha's 'Wikiplay'

“If we can only live once, then let it be a daring adventure that draws on all our powers.”-  Julian Assange

Wayne Harrison’s Cheep presents the World Premiere of Ron Elisha's 'Wikiplay' Stainless Steel Rat from 28.

Making a Full-time Living in the Performing Arts

Neil Ward (publicist), Zoe Jarrett (performer) and Adam Mada (magician) have followed different paths to financial success. They show that to succeed, there's no one right way to do things, no infallible blueprint that everyone can follow. But their stories do show that it is possible to make a full-time living in the performing arts. Daniel G Taylor speaks to this diverse, talented trio.

Steven Tandy – From Tom Sullivan to Superstar's Herod.

When Brisbane’s Harvest Rain Theatre Company revive their successful 2010 production of Jesus Christ Superstar from June 6 to 16, Steven Tandy (perhaps best known the role of Tom Sullivan in The Sullivans) returns in his outrageous cameo as King Herod.

He spoke to Stage Whispers in this Q & A.

Stage Whispers: You’re reprising your role as Herod in Harvest Rain’s return season of Jesus Christ Superstar in June – what did you love about being involved in the first season?

The Addams Family Musical for Sydney

Exclusive interview with Producer Rodney Rigby.

The Australian premiere of Broadway musical The Addams Family has been announced for Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in March 2013.