Stage Briefs

Cats Cast Announced

The Producers of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS have announced the all-Australian cast for the acclaimed West End revival production which tours Australia from October this year, starring Delta Goodrem as Grizabella.

This much-loved record-breaking musical opens in Sydney on 30 October and is then touring to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide finishing in Perth in April 2016.  Tickets are on sale now.

Matthew Lutton New Malthouse Artistic Director

The Malthouse Theatre Board has announced the appointment of Matthew Lutton as the company’s Artistic Director.

‘We are delighted that Matt will be taking up the role of Artistic Director as we embark on the next chapter of the company’s life,’ said Malthouse Theatre Chair, Michele Levine.

Dream Lover, The Bobby Darin Musical for Sydney in 2016

Dream Lover, The Bobby Darin Musical – a story about the legendary American singer, actor and musician – will hold its World Premiere in Sydney in 2016.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the musical has been secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Keating Sings and Dances Back Into Bankstown

Keating! The Musicalis simply the story of the rise and fall of Paul Keating.

In song. And dance. And swingin’, rockin’ musical fun!

The show debuted in 2005 at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, became a cult hit and went on to tour nationally, become a major commercial hit in theatres such as Belvoir Street and win multiple awards for the script, the production and its actors.

Showtunes and Dementia

Have you ever wondered why you can remember the lyrics to showtunes but can’t recall something you were told ten minutes ago? This crossed my mind when I reviewed a production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in January.

In 1979 I played Joseph at Epping West Primary School (pictured here). My mother still talks about it and that wonderful coat, lovingly stitched together by my grandmother from all her scraps of material.

Rehearsals Underway for Victorian Opera's Sweeney Todd

Rehearsals are officially underway for Victorian Opera’s final instalment in its Sondheim trilogy, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – A Musical Thriller starring Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the infamous serial-killer at Arts Centre Melbourne's Playhouse from 16-25 July, 2015.

Richard O'Brien to Narrate Special Melbourne Performances of Rocky Horror

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost gleefully announced today (June 18, 2015) that the author of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien, would join the production at certain special performances during the Melbourne season, playing the role of the Narrator. O’Brien can be seen at performances on June 30, July 1, 2, 5 (5.30pm only), 7, 8 and 9.

New Musicals Australia Chooses The Detective’s Handbook and MELBA for Workshops

Hayes Theatre Co and New Musicals Australia (NMA) have announced that two musicals have been chosen to proceed to Stage Three of NMA. The Detective’s Handbook by Ian Ferrington and Olga Solar, and MELBA, by Nicholas Christo and Johannes Luebbers will each will be workshopped with one being chosen for a full production at Hayes Theatre Co in November.

NIDA Play Season June 2015

Commencing on 10 June, 2015, the National Institute of Dramatic Art’s upcoming production season comprises five full-scale productions led by acclaimed Australian directors and features the next generation of Australia’s actors and creative professionals.

Wesley Enoch to be Sydney Festival Director from 2017 - 2019

Sydney Festival today (June 2, 2015) announced Wesley Enoch as the incoming Festival Director for a three-year tenure from 2017-2019. He will take the reins from Lieven Bertels, who completes his term in 2016, marking the Festival’s 40th anniversary.