Shaun Parker & Company present the world premiere of KING
Shaun Parker and Company are producing KING in a ploy to challenge what we consider ‘masculine’. Part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras program for 2019.
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Shaun Parker and Company are producing KING in a ploy to challenge what we consider ‘masculine’. Part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras program for 2019.
The Book Of Mormon has had a good run in Sydney and around Australia, but for those who’re planning on seeing it before it goes for good, you’d better act quickly! Following a record-breaking season, The Book of Mormon will hold its final performance at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Friday 8 February 2019. Sad times. The show will then move north to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 16 March followed by the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 27 June 2019. Final Sydney tickets will go on sale on 17 December from BookOfMormonMusical.com.au After an epic run of 752 Australian performances since opening at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in January 2017 for a one year run, before moving to the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 27 February 2018, it’s time for the book to close on the Sydney leg and carry the highly successful production north to share it with the rest of Australia. At the 2017 Helpmann Awards, The Book of Mormon was crowned winner of the coveted Best Musical award, while Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw were awarded Best Direction of a Musical. Tickets are available from BookOfMormonMusical.com.au
If you had asked me – before the announcement of this production – which Australian performer would be best suited to play the role of Eva Peron in Evita, I doubt I would’ve been able to think of any. Yet, as soon as the casting was announced I was simultaneously surprised, excited, and relieved that the enormously talented Tina Arena had been cast. (Full disclosure – I am a huge Tina fan). With effortless delivery and commanding vocal range, Arena takes hold of the legendarily demanding role and delivers a multiple standing ovation-worthy performance; one that is sure to be remembered by all who bear witness. Setting the tone and direction of the story Kurt Kansley as charmingly sardonic narrator Che, captures the audience from the outset with cynical asides and humour and like Ms. Arena, delivers a pitch perfect performance imbuing Tim Rice’s simple lyrics with deep understanding. Paulo Szots’s gutsy Peron is grounded, rich and much more three-dimensional than other interpretations and is both refreshing and absolutely right. The powerhouse ensemble was the glue that brought the show together and effortlessly delivered a new standard in cohesiveness and unity that punctuated and allowed the score to flow with ease. The greatest privilege was to be able to see the original production design, choreography,and costume. With a strong reference to Brechtian staging and direction it allows the performances to be the focus of every moment and shows great restraint that perfectly balances the grandeur of the subject matter that led to the world’s fascination… Read More
Why you can’t miss this choose-your-own-adventure-style funhouse of your dreams.
Percussion is alive and well! In fact, STOMP – the internationally acclaimed on-stage homage to it – is back in Sydney for a week-long production of an on-stage celebration of all things noise. Following sell-out world tours, STOMP is serving-up unstoppable energy and pure stage magic, according to some, in an array of music that comes from the most unexpected of ‘instruments’. Wordless, witty and fun, STOMP has become a global phenomenon. Eight performers use non-traditional instruments – everything from supermarket trolleys to Zippo lighters, plastic bags to garbage can lids, and even the kitchen sink – to hammer out an explosively feel-good rhythm. It’s pretty clever stuff. Catch the show from 31 July – 5 August 2018 at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. See more at the STOMP website.
This July until October, the acclaimed Mamma Mia! The Musical is doing its rounds in Melbourne, setting budding singers, dancers and all-round ABBA-lovers’ alike into a frenzy. Showcasing the ultimate line-up of all the best ABBA songs, the musical – a stage version stake of the movie starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters – the Mamma Mia! musical is an uplifing, fun-filled, heartfelt and hilarious night at the theatre. Produced in Australia by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers & Linda Bewick, the production is a brand new Australian production starring Natalie O’Donnell as mother-of-the-bride Donna Sheridan. Natalie starred in the original Australian production of MAMMA MIA! as Sophie in 2001 seeing her come full circle now leading this new production in the role of Donna. Much like the original, the production is set on a Greek island paradise and inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs. The whole thing was adapted for the stage and written by Catherine Johnson’s heart-warming tale which still centres around a young bride-to-be. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The Australian production is Directed by Helpmann Award winner Gary Young, with the creative team also including Choreographer Tom Hodgson, Musical Supervisor Stephen Amos, Set Design by Linda Bewick, Costume Design by Suzy Strout and Lighting Design byGavan Swift and Sound design by Michael Waters. A beautiful bride, a proud mother and three possible fathers. It’s a trip down the aisle you’ll remember forever. See more… Read More
On the set of this year’s production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, the 2018 Helpmann Awards Act II took place, celebrating the best talent Australia has to offer in the performance space. Hosted by Glenn A. Baker Am, Sydney Dance Company’s own Rafael Bonachela, TV host David Campbell and soprano Jacqueline Dark – and more – 23 awards were presented for the categories of comedy, cabaret, contemporary music, musicals, opera, classical music, theatre and ballet, dance and physical theatre. These Awards complement the 20 Awards announced yesterday at the Helpmann Awards Act I, of course. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia and this year, president Andrew Kay AM, said, “We are proud to present the 18th Annual Helpmann Awards across two nights this year. The breadth and diversity of winners, nominees and performances at tonight’s and yesterday’s events shines a spotlight on Australia’s world class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2018 Helpmann Award nominees and winners!” It’s a dazzling time for anyone involved in stage production and the night of nights for those whose talents are to be admired and adored. The show closed with the biggest line up of Australia’s leading vocalists from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s concert production of Funny Girl. Divas and funny girls themselves Trevor Ashley (Hairspray), Michaela Banas (Upper Middle Bogan), Natalie Bassingthwaighte (The X Factor), Casey Donovan (Australian Idol), Virginia Gay (First Tuesday Book Club), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) Dami Im (Eurovision), Maggie McKenna (Muriel’s Wedding), Zahra Newman (Book of Mormon) and West end and Broadway star Caroline O’Connor had the audience standing in their seats and cheering for more. The Helpmann Awards 2018 will broadcast: ABC… Read More