Opera Australia has unveiled the newest jewel in its casting crown with the announcement that Angelina Thomson will step into the iconic role of Miss Adelaide in the brand-new production of Guys & Dolls.
The stars of Sydney’s vibrant theatre community gathered tonight at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre, to celebrate the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. The glittering ceremony, hosted by the effervescent Marney McQueen, saw 28 awards presented to an array of productions that graced Sydney’s stages throughout the year. With nearly 500 members of the theatre community in attendance, it was an evening dedicated to honouring artistic brilliance, collaboration, and creativity. Big wins for August: Osage County and The Inheritance Taking home the coveted Best Mainstage Production was Belvoir’s August: Osage County, a searing family drama that captivated audiences. Directed by Eamon Flack, who also won Best Direction of a Mainstage Production, the production scooped up multiple awards. Tamsin Carroll and Pamela Rabe shared the spotlight with a tied win for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Mainstage Production, making it a standout moment in the evening’s proceedings. Meanwhile, Best Independent Production went to The Inheritance, a powerful theatrical collaboration between Shane Anthony, Daniel Cottier Productions, Sugary Rum Productions, and the Seymour Centre. Director Shane Anthony was recognised with Best Direction of an Independent Production, while the show’s stellar ensemble cast picked up Best Ensemble Cast. Taking home the title of Best Performance in a Leading Role in an Independent Production was André de Vanny for his unforgettable turn in The Lonesome West. Musical theatre shines Musical theatre also had its moment under the spotlight, with Zombie! The Musical, presented by Hayes Theatre Co., nabbing Best Musical. Its director, Darren Yap, was applauded with the Best Direction of a Musical award. The Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical went to Michael Paynter for his riveting performance in Jesus Christ Superstar. Emerging talent was celebrated as Daniel R. Nixon (The Curious… Read More
Vincent van Gogh continues to captivate audiences like no other. With 334,589 visits, the recently concluded Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers exhibition at the National Gallery has officially become the most popular ticketed exhibition in the museum’s history. Running from 14 September 2024 to 19 January 2025, the exhibition surpassed the attendance of previous record-holders, including Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan (323,827 visits) and Velázquez (302,520 visits). The record-breaking numbers included an astonishing final weekend, during which the exhibition ran non-stop for 36 hours from Friday evening to Saturday night (17–18 January) to meet overwhelming demand. This marked only the second time in the museum’s history that such an around-the-clock event was held, the first being the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition in 2012. Over the closing weekend alone, more than 19,500 people, or one visitor every 10 seconds, walked through the gallery’s doors to see Van Gogh’s incredible works. An Exhibition That Redefined Van Gogh Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers provided visitors with a unique and moving exploration of the artist’s imaginative transformations. This was the National Gallery’s first exhibition entirely dedicated to Vincent van Gogh and included over 60 works from museums and private collections across the globe. Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, summed up the significance of the exhibition perfectly, saying, “Van Gogh has become a talisman for passion, authenticity and commitment to his art. The paintings in this exhibition are among his most striking works and have a freshness and immediacy about them. The show… Read More
This spring, the National Gallery is set to unveil an extraordinary glimpse into Renaissance art with the presentation of the Carracci Cartoons in Room 1.
Fancy stepping into the spotlight? Well, no need to pack your bags for London’s West End. On 22 January, the National Theatre Live is bringing a slice of theatrical magic to the heart of the Manchester Arndale Centre – and it’s completely free. Here’s the deal. Picture yourself in one of Vue’s luxurious Lux recliner seats – you know, the sort where you melt into the cushion a little too easily. From there, you’ll get to read an excerpt from a famous play live with a National Theatre actor beaming in from London via a massive screen smack dab in the middle of the shopping centre. That’s right. Your stage debut could happen right between a Pret and Zara. How very 2024. This event offers more than just a chance to flex your acting chops. It’s a celebration of how National Theatre Live continues to redefine event cinema, capturing world-class performances and delivering them to audiences far and wide. Since its launch, it’s been a game-changer in making the arts more accessible – whether you’re in Manchester, Melbourne, or Milton Keynes. A New Play, A Familiar Cast If you’re in Manchester on the day, you might rub metaphorical shoulders with some pretty big names. Stars like Ncuti Gatwa (Douglas from Sex Education, and your new Doctor Who, naturally), Ronk? Adék?lu??j??, Eliza Scanlan, and Amanda Lawrence are all part of this brilliant event. They’re the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest, the next National Theatre Live gem hitting cinemas on 20 February. And they’re not… Read More
Brace yourselves, London—the internationally acclaimed Japanese drumming powerhouse, Drum TAO, is finally making its grand entrance into the West End, and trust us, this is not your standard night out at the theatre. Their jaw-dropping production, The Dream, is set to crash onto the stage of the iconic Peacock Theatre at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 11 to Saturday 15 March 2025. After smashing it across Japan, Singapore, and Europe, they’ve decided it’s about time London got in on the action—and really, we couldn’t agree more. What makes The Dream such a show-stopper, you ask? Oh, just a cheeky combo of mind-blowing taiko drumming, intricate choreography, and enough high-energy athleticism to make even elite athletes feel lazy. Add to that contemporary costumes and a visual spectacle to rival anything Vegas can throw at you, and you’re in for a wild ride. This isn’t just a performance; it’s an all-encompassing experience that will make your jaw hit the floor—a few times. Originating from Oita, Japan, and going strong since their 1993 debut, Drum TAO is all about pairing the traditional with a contemporary twist. Their weapons of choice? Massive Wadaiko drums (basically, the heartbeat of Japanese percussion) paired with hauntingly beautiful melodies from instruments like the Shinobue (a lightweight flute), Koto (a dreamy harp), and Syamisen (a guitar-like masterpiece). Combine that with their intense physicality and modern musical interpretations, and it’s no wonder they’ve racked up millions of YouTube views, sold-out runs Off-Broadway, and legions of fans across the globe. Ten million spectators worldwide can’t be wrong,… Read More
Middle-Earth has had a melodic makeover as ‘The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale’ takes the stage in Sydney. This ambitious adaptation has set down roots for its Aussie debut at the iconic State Theatre, promising an epic blend of adventure, music, and a dash of hobbit charm. For die-hard Tolkien fans, the prospect of condensing the rich lore into a 3.5-hour musical might seem as daunting as Frodo’s trek to Mordor. And while that runtime is indeed hefty for a stage play, it’s a small price to pay for the creative reimagining of key scenes that elicited many an applause from the audience. The production’s inventive staging breathes new life into the beloved tale, offering fresh perspectives while staying true to the spirit of the original. The original music, a collaboration between Oscar-winner AR Rahman, Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Christopher Nightingale, does more than just accompany the narrative — it enriches it. The melodies weave seamlessly through the story, adding depth and emotion that resonate long after the curtain falls. Whether it’s an enchanting elven tune or a rousing battle anthem, the music keeps the audience hooked, adding flavor to the well-trodden path of the hobbits. However, for Tolkien purists, some of the modern twists might be a bitter pill to swallow. The musical takes creative liberties that won’t please everyone (sorry, Legolas is a brunette around here), but for those willing to embrace a new interpretation, it offers a rewarding experience. The sheer talent from the cast is truly incredible,… Read More
London’s East Bank is about to level up in a spectacular way. Sadler’s Wells East, the capital’s newest purpose-built dance theatre, will officially open its doors in just four weeks’ time with a show-stopping debut.
The National Gallery in London has pulled out all the stops for Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers. If you’ve missed securing a ticket to this blockbuster exhibition, don’t despair just yet. For one night only – and we mean all night – the Gallery is opening its doors from 9pm on Friday, 17 January 2025, until 10am the next morning, in an epic finale for its sell-out masterpiece binge. Tickets for these newly added late-night slots go on sale today, Thursday 9 January, and they’re bound to fly faster than you can say “Starry Night.” With over 280,000 visitors already wowed by the exhibition, this extra stretch of hours is pure gold for anyone still angling to see Van Gogh’s world-class works. And while staying up all night might usually come with regrets and a bad takeaway, this is an opportunity you’ll actually feel smug about. Historical Moment: Art After Dark This isn’t your bog-standard museum trip. It’s only the second time in history that the Gallery has thrown open its doors through the night. The first? Back in 2012, when people flocked in the wee hours to see Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan. According to Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the Gallery’s Director, this nocturnal escapade takes its cues from some of the luminaries of the art world. Lucian Freud, David Hockney, and Francis Bacon, for instance, were known to haunt the Gallery during nightly hours, letting the stillness feed their creative souls. Freud himself once quipped, “I use the gallery as… Read More