Category: THEATRE

Everything old is new again, like drive-in cinemas

EQ drive in cinema

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Updated: 18/06/2020

If there is a bright side to the pandemic, it would be the fact that old-fashioned drive-in cinemas are back on the radar.  With traditional movie cinemas closing their doors during the height of the pandemic, we saw a resurgence of fun in the form of pop-up drive-in cinemas in the strangest places, such as airport tarmacs. Yes, you read correctly. Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania put their empty space to good use and turned it into a film lovers dream by installing a drive-in cinema. Genius!  Closer to home in Sydney, there’s the Mov’in Car drive-in cinema on the rooftop of the Entertainment Quarter (EQ) car park. The initiative has proved to be so popular, it will now continue to operate through to the end of July.  Coming up in July are some old classics like Finding Nemo, The Devil Wears Prada, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Slumdog Millionaire. For those seeking something more recent, there’s the blockbuster, Parasite, Birds of Prey, Knives Out and the highly entertaining, Bohemian Rhapsody.  You can have pizzas delivered to your car, as well as wine, beers, popcorn and lollies. And as the nights get even cooler over winter, you can enjoy a mulled wine pack while you snuggle under your warm doona, watching your favourite movie on the big screen.  Bring up to 5 people in a car and enjoy a retro outdoor movie experience or enjoy a Peugeot Class Date Night in a new model Peugeot. Included in Date Night are two complimentary glasses of… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

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The 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras theme and program has been revealed and it’s magical

Mardi Gras 2020

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Updated: 10/11/2019

What Matters has been revealed as the theme for the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and it promises to be bigger and bolder than ever.  The theme builds on the legacy of Mardi Gras – a platform for activism, encouraging the community to think about creating a more inclusive future.  “This year we celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality. From ground-breaking queer artists to trailblazing thought leaders, Mardi Gras 2020 is an opportunity to visit the next destinations on our journey of diversity, inclusion and social justice,” says Mardi Gras Arts Interim CEO, Grant Lowe.  Mark it on your calendars! Friday 14 February 2020 is when the festivities kick off, with a diverse program of events running until Sunday 1 March 2020. They’ll be dazzling dance parties, top-tier theatre, music, world-class workshops and family-focused fun, with the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade taking place on Saturday 29 February, 2020. The post-Mardi Gras Parade celebrations will continue with the iconic Mardi Gras Party happening at the Hordern Pavilion with the electrifying Dua Lipa headlining. The pavillion and its surrounding areas will be transformed into a brand-new adult playland with the party starting at 11pm – 8am. Fourth release tickets are on sale now.  There’s a supersized program on offer including the pre-eminent vogue ball, Sissy Ball and iconic festival classics such as Fair Day and Laneway, the traditional closing event of Mardi Gras. There’s no shortage of thought-provoking workshops and community events, with Queer Thinking taking over… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, DRAG, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, SYDNEY, THEATRE

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Sydney theatre review: Billy Elliot is in town

BILLY-ELLIOT-THE-MUSICAL-AUSTRALIA-2019-20-River-Mardesic-Aaron-Smyth-PIC-CREDIT-JAMES-D.-MORGAN

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Dust off the tutu and slide on your tap shoes because Billy Elliot is back in town.  Based on the movie of the same name which was released back in 2000, Billy Elliot the Musical is a celebration of dance, infused with comedy, drama and inspiring music by Elton John. Originally premiering in London’s West End in 2005, the musical first toured Australia in 2007 for two years. After a 10 year absence, the production is back in Australia, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until December 15, 2019. It then plays at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from December 2019, the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from February 2020, the Crown Theatre in Perth from June 2020 and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from July 2020. The show opens by taking the audience back to 1984, to a small coal-mining village in Northern England just as the coal miners’ strike is unfolding under the Thatcher government. Billy’s mother is no longer with us, so Billy is being brought up by Jackie, his working class father who is a coal miner (played by Justin Smith) and Billy’s grandmother (played by Vivien Davies). The role of Billy Elliot is being shared by four young talented actors – Omar Abiad, River Mardesic, Wade Neilsen and Jamie Rogers. Also appearing in the cast is respected Australian actor Robert Grubb, who plays Billy’s hilarious boxing coach, George.  We follow Billy on his life journey during some of Britain’s most turbulent times as it takes him out of the boxing ring… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

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CHICAGO comes to Sydney with an Australian star cast

Chicago Capitol Theatre

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Updated: 30/08/2019

It’s popped up in the Australian rotation a few times in the past couple of decades. Chicago made it to Melbourne in 1998 with Caroline O’Connor as Velma, made it back in 2009 with her in the same role, along with a list of cast members including Sharon Millerchip, Gina Riley as Mama Morton and Craig McLachlan as Billy Flynn. But it’s the 2019 production, curtain called in Sydney recently, that is the main heralding of something quite great. Cast members Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Alinta Chidzey, Casey Donovan and Tom Burlinson will take on the roles of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Mama Morton and Billy Flynn, in that order, for the season at the Capitol Theatre until 20 October. Under the production of John Frost and Suzanne Jones and the international creative team, associate director Tania Nardini and associate choreographer Gary Chryst, it’s a show that’ll give packed auditorium-after-auditorium of all that jazz. It might even give the currently running Broadway version of the production a run for its money. The legendary Kander and Ebb musical has been seen by over 31 million people worldwide in 36 countries and is the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award.  What’s CHICAGO about? Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, THEATRE

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Aladdin on London’s West End just hit a major milestone

Aladdin Prince Edward Theatre Photographer Deen van Meer. © Disney

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Posted: 21/06/2019

It was never going to be an easy feat to bring the magic of the blue, dusty, lamp-bound genie, a flying Arabic carpet and a mythical city to the small stage in the centre of London, but they did and now Aladdin has just turned three. Calling the Prince Edward Theatre ‘home’, the cast of Aladdin, led by Trevor Dion Nicholas as the wildly popular genie and Matthew Croke as Aladdin and Jade Ewan as Jasmine, Aladdin has been selling out the theatre to the tune of two million audience members since it first took to the stage. And to mark the occasion and the achievement, the audience of their third-year performance, were treated to a post-curtain appearance by the genie, who declared that each audience member that night would receive a limited edition poster commemorating the occasion. It’s a nice way to commemorate the accomplishment for the production that has cleverly and tastefully adapted the classic ’92 animated movie to the live stage with all the bells ‘n’ whistles you’d expect. Aladdin features the timeless songs from the 1992 animated film as well as new music written by Tony, Olivier and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors). And the whole production even does a stellar job of reproducing the famed ride on ‘Carpet’, the magic carpet, which is a spectacle for every kid – and adult – in the room. Aladdin is on every night, so check out timings and book tickets at the Prince Edward Theatre website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, THEATRE

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MELBOURNE: Chicago is coming to stage in Australia

Chicago Melbourne

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Updated: 13/06/2019

So, Chicago’s back in town and turning it out with big dancing name Jason Donovan as Billy Flynn. He’ll take on the role of the cunning and charismatic lawyer, making Donovan’s first time in such a role on stage, alongside Australian products Natalie Bassingthwaighte and singer Casey Donovan as everyone’s favourite Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, famous for her song ‘When you’re good to mama’. The Kander & Ebb musical has been seen by over 31 million people worldwide in 36 countries and is the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award. Chicago continues to play on Broadway and around the world in multiple languages and is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids. It’s a sensation of a story that’ll be a sensation on stage. For more info and to get your own tickets, check out the Chicago website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, THEATRE

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Saturday Night Fever in Sydney: The season’s must-see disco fest

Saturday Night Fever

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Posted: 25/05/2019

Take a step back in time to when extravagant sequined clothing was pretty standard on a Saturday night, the disco club scene was hot and dancing was high energy, sophisticated and positively sexual. Add some of the funkiest Bee Gees disco tracks to this scenario and what do you have? One the most entertaining stage shows to hit Sydney – Saturday Night Fever. Just to take it up a notch, let’s throw in an appearance from Australia’s original disco diva Marcia Hines. Saturday Night Fever has been running at the Lyric Theatre since April 2019 and has been wowing crowds with its sensational choreography since, but sadly the production is coming to an end, wrapping up on 2 June 2019. Based on the original 1977 movie starring John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever the stage show features all your favourite Bee Gee hits including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, You Should Be Dancing, More Than A Woman, How Deep Is Your Love, Tragedy, Jive Talkin’ and more. Plus, you’ll also get to seat dance to other great disco hits such as Boogie Shoes and If I Can’t Have You. The original movie and its enormous success back in the 70’s was credited with extending the life of disco, as the trend was initially on its way out. Fast forward to 2019 and here we are, revisiting those memories and celebrating one of the most popular music movements of the last 60 years. The incredibly talented cast of the Australian production of Saturday… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

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Barnum review in Melbourne: Todd McKenney returns to the stage

Barnum Todd McKenney

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Posted: 05/05/2019

In an age where flim-flam, fake new, and alternative facts are an unfortunate norm, it seems almost wrong to spend two hours watching a production about the originator of the concept. However, when the entertainment factor is as high as in the current production of Barnum – the Circus Musical then it is worth the cringe about the current state of affairs. The title role of P.T. Barnum is traditionally the most pivotal role in this classic musical, Todd McKenney delivers a high energy, characterful, charismatic portrayal of the legendary Prince of humbug peppered with comedic asides to the audience unexpectedly breaking character for a laugh, though sometimes too frequently. Rachel Beck as Charity Barnum provides great balance to McKenney and together they have a wonderful chemistry on stage, evident from having worked together numerous times, as far back as the 1987 production of Cats. As a pair, they shared some truly touching moments during their main duets: ‘The Colours of my Life’ and ‘I Like your Style’. Yet, the surprise turn, and, in my eyes, the star of the show was Kirby Burgess as the Ringmaster. In a delightful gender-blind casting, Burgess commands the stage and effortlessly transforms into each of the historically significant characters that interact with Barnum’s story. Her brassy, soulful voice skilfully transforms with each new character. It is a combination of these elements, including a stellar ensemble and some very talented circus performers, all brought together by the incredible set and costume design of Dann Barber, that brought this iconic… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, THEATRE

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Shakespeare in Sydney: See The Tempest at the Seymour Centre

The Tempest - Amy Usherwood and Drew Livington by Seiya Taguchi

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Updated: 19/04/2019

For those comprehension of the English language is adept enough to throw it right back tot he 15th century, then rejoice, Shakespeare’s back in Sydney. One of the Bard’s truly original and most personal plays, The Tempest is a symphonic vision of forgiveness, discovery and self-discovery – famous for its language, context, enchanting characters and breathtaking theatricality. It’s this is a reflection of the world’s most famous playwright at the height of his powers and at the end of his remarkable career and this month, is on at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. This year’s production is by Sydney theatre group, Sport for Jove and will appear at The Seymour Centre played house to this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, hosting such epic productions as Briefs and KING. This 100-minute production of The Tempest compresses the action of the play while retaining the joy and magic. Now in its third season, this production from Artistic Director Damien Ryan will delight students and adults alike. Get tickets for only $28 and see more here.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

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A camp July: Sydney Cabaret Festival is back

Sydney Cabaret Festival

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Posted: 13/03/2019

If simply uttering the name “Liza” makes your knees weak and the thought of sitting alone in your room brings you utter, feather-curling dismay, then worry not; the Sydney Cabaret Festival is back in July 2019. This year, the festival will be celebrating both international and Australian cabaret stars, tickets for whom to see, you can grab from 18 March. Complete with legendary Tony Award-winning Jennifer Holliday, appearing for the first time on Australian soil, alongside local legends like Phil Scott and Jonathan Biggins, to New York downtown darling Natalie Joy Johnson, it’ll be a festival of note. And not-even-withstanding the venues on offer around town this year, such as Sydney Town Hall, City Recital Hall and the Festival Hub at the Seymour Centre. The Seymour Centre is the home to the majority of the program with five fabulous spaces to enjoy the incredible lineup. All the theatres have been renamed after legendary Sydney cabaret venues, turning the entire venue into a Cabaret Wonderland. It’s all holds barred this Sydney Cabaret Festival. Straight from the UK, one of their most famous duos, Frisky and Mannish will return after a ten year hiatus, as does the thrilling diva Alison Jiear, described as having a “bring down the house voice” by the New York Times. Sydney favourite Tim Draxl will appear in a world premiere of his new show, along with Kim David Smith, Reuben Kaye and Brian Nash, plus circus and variety show Cheeky Cabaret, direct from their home in Brunswick Heads. Australian pop culture fan Tim Benzie returns to Sydney with the hilarious Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote. The Festival also includes a cabaret for… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, THEATRE

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