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The Year In
Review
AussieTheatre.com looks back at a massive year in theatre...
JANUARY
 A
performance by the cast of the hit musical Priscilla during a New Year's Eve
celebration on Channel Ten earns itself the wrath of some viewers, who say it was too much
for a young audience.
It is confirmed that students graduating from the full-time music theatre course at
WAAPA this year will present the Nick Enright and David King musical The Good Fight in
New York, as part of the 2007 New York Music Theatre Festival.
AussieTheatre.com reveals that The Production Company is planning to present 42nd
Street in 2007.
Theatrical producer Ben Gannon, who was instrumental in taking the smash hit
Australian musical The Boy From Oz to Broadway, loses his battle with cancer. He
was 54.
Rumours sweep the theatre industry suggesting that the hit Australian musical Priscilla
could be bound for Broadway.
It is confirmed that Saskia Smith, who last year played Ariel in The Tempest for
Bell Shakespeare to critical acclaim, will play the role of Yitzak in the return Sydney
season of the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
The new Australian musical Snugglepot and Cuddlepie opens in Sydney.
[Pictured]
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, one of the surprise musical success stories of
2006, is named Best Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards, held at the Statement Cabaret
Lounge underneath the State Theatre.
Seabiscuit Productions, the company that produced the Maury Yeston and Peter Stone
musical Titanic at the Theatre Royal in Sydney in 2006, goes into liquidation
owing creditors more than one million dollars.
The Short & Sweet Festival is held in Sydney, joined this year by Short, Sweet
& Song - showcasing 10 short musicals.
Neil Armfield, the Artistic Director of Company B, makes the Australia Day Honours
List and is named an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).
AussieTheatre.com reveals that The Muf-Tee Show will return to Sydney for
a limited season for the first time since 2004.
Opera Australia's production of Sweeney Todd opens at the Sydney Opera
House. Troy Dodds says, in part: "Sweeney Todd is true and glorious theatre
that, for whatever reason, hasn't been welcome in Australia over the last few years. In
the current trend of jukebox musicals and attempts to produce something
"remarkable", it's humbling to sit in a theatre and watch a Stephen Sondheim
musical that may not be the greatest piece of theatre ever written, but certainly has
superb appeal, wonderful musical numbers and a story that is second to none as far as the
uniqueness stakes go." |
| FEBRUARY
 It
is confirmed that Australian songstress Tina Arena is to play Roxie Hart in the West End
production of Chicago.
Tony Sheldon's efforts in Priscilla and Hugh Jackman's brilliance in The
Boy From Oz earn the pair a GLUG Award for Most Outstanding Performance in a Musical
(Actor) at the annual GLUG Awards. The pair tied in the category, while Tamsin Carroll won
the Most Outstanding Performance in a Musical (Actress) category for her critically
acclaimed portrayal of Dusty Springfield in Dusty.
AussieTheatre.com exclusively reveals that plans are underway to produce a new
version of The Rocky Horror Show in Australia.
Australian theatre legends Nancye Hayes and Geraldine Turner bring memories
flooding back of the celebrated Sydney Theatre Company production of Chicago more
than 20 years ago when the pair, who played Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the production
respectively, perform together at the annual Hats Off concert in Sydney, which was
performed before a near sell-out crowd at the Star City Showroom.
It is confirmed that The Phantom of the Opera's Australian tour will not
include an Adelaide season.
Fiddler on the Roof opens in Perth.
In tragic news for Australian musical theatre, it is announced that new musical
Sideshow Alley has cancelled its Melbourne season following a disappointing
performance at the box office.
Ana Marina is confirmed as playing Christine in the forthcoming Phantom of the
Opera.
It is confirmed that the smash hit Broadway musical Spamalot will open in
Melbourne in December. [Pictured]
The Griffin Theatre Company announces it will take its smash hit production
Holding The Man to the Sydney Opera House.
It was the only one out of 50 wildcard plays to make it to the Gala Final and
Krista Dalby's Almost was the surprise success story of the Short & Sweet
Festival's sensational finale. The play - the story of an office romance that is on the
verge of blossoming when fate intervenes - won Best Overall Production as well as Best
Script and Best Director for Rebecca O'Brien.
Harp On The Willow, starring Marina Prior and Lucy Maunder, opens at the
Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.
Sunday In The Park With George opens at the Q Theatre in Penrith.
AussieTheatre.com's Troy Dodds says, in part: "At times, this production is very
uneven but the Q Theatre Company should be commended for tackling it. It is a beautiful
and glorious musical that deserves to be seen, and the fact that the Q are showcasing it
to suburban audiences should not be under-valued. There's no doubt that this show could
transfer to a city venue, because with a little more 'cleaning up', there's no denying it
could be first class." |
MARCH
 It is confirmed that Respect will play a
Melbourne season after its run at the Twelfth Night Theatre in Brisbane. [Cast Pictured]
Helen Dallimore announces she will leave the London production of Wicked,
sparking rumours that she may appear in a rumoured Australian production.
AussieTheatre.com exclusively reveals that Tamsin Carroll will star in Company
at the Theatre Royal in Sydney.
Tyran Parke is accepted into the prestigious cabaret program at Yale University.
Kirby Burgess, Erin James and Lucy Maunder are confirmed as the 2007 Bound For
Broadway scholarship recipients.
One of the biggest productions of 2007, Miss Saigon, commences its
Australian tour in Melbourne and opens to mostly positive reviews, despite being a scaled
down version of the original.
Parramatta Girls opens to rave reviews at the Belvoir Street Theatre.
AussieTheatre.com's Skye Crawford says, in part: "Rarely can a play make you forget
completely you are in a theatre. Ralph Myers’ set design is ingenious, bleak, hard
and unforgiving we are catapaulted back into the dank history of the place along with the
former inmates. The versatility of the design coupled with Rachel Burke’s haunting
lighting and Steve Francis’ realistic sound make this set a world unto its own. These
elements coupled with Wesley Enoch’s raw, sensitive and truthful direction make
Parramatta Girls into a powerful and compelling piece of theatre." |
APRIL
 iOTA
[Pictured] wins Best Actor in a Musical at the Green Room Awards, beating Hugh Jackman.
Former Blue Heelers star Lisa McCune is cast as Olive in the forthcoming
Sydney Theatre Company production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Priscilla celebrates its 200th performance at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.
In a landmark day for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, it is announced that the
legendary Michael Feinstein will headline this year’s event. Other highlights
include: Kaye Tuckerman, Wendy Stapleton and Monique Montez performing in Licence To
Thrill: The Scores of James Bond and Julie Anthony and Simon Gallaher in Together
At Last.
Kookaburra, Australia's new national music theatre company, launches with its debut
production, Pippin. The show opens to mostly negative reviews and becomes one of
the most talked about productions of 2007.
AussieTheatre.com exclusively reveals that a major behind the scenes battle is
unfolding between Miss Saigon and Priscilla over the right to be staged
at the Lyric Theatre. Saigon later wins the battle, with Priscilla
announcing a shock Melbourne season.
Noted choreographer and producer Helen de Paul - the mother of entertainment icon
Trisha Noble - dies, leaving behind a major theatrical legacy.
It is confirmed that the legendary Nancye Hayes will direct the show that made her
a star some 40 years ago, with The Production Company saying she would be at the helm of
its production of Sweet Charity, which will star Sharon Millerchip, Matt
Hetherington and Alan Fletcher. |
MAY
 Bill
Hunter takes to the stage in a two week guest appearance in Priscilla at the
Lyric Theatre.
It is announced that the Helpmann Awards will move to the Capitol Theatre in 2007.
Rachael Beck and Michael Falzon are announced as part of the cast for The War
of the Worlds.
It is confirmed that an Australian production of one of the world’s most
popular musicals, Wicked, will open at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in July
2008. It is confirmed that John Frost will produce the show in Australia, along with a USA
team that includes Universal Pictures. [Pictured]
It is announced that Lochlan Denholm (Melbourne), Rhys Kosakowski (Newcastle),
Rarmian Newton (Melbourne) and Nick Twiney (Sydney) will share the role of Billy Elliot
and begin the rehearsal process in early July. |
JUNE
 AussieTheatre.com
exclusively reveals that Kellie Rode is set to play Janet in a new production of The
Rocky Horror Show.
International star of stage and screen Hugh Jackman, who famously played Peter
Allen in The Boy From Oz on Broadway, becomes a Patron of Actors Centre Australia
[Pictured].
Tributes flow in for respected musical theatre vocal coach Don Grayden, who passes
away following a long battle with cancer. He was 79.
The Sydney Theatre Company's cries for more funding are answered by the State Government,
which allocates more money to the organisation as part of the 2007 State Budget.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee becomes one of the most popular
shows ever produced by the Sydney Theatre Company.
Priscilla launches its Melbourne season.
Exit The King opens at the Belvoir Street Theatre. Rochelle Fernandez
says, in part: "Exit the King, despite its sobering subject matter, is
wonderfully entertaining. There are many funny moments, and Geoffery Rush makes puns and
sneaky asides at any opportunity. David Woods as the guard is comical in his blind
commitment to duty, and Julie Forsyth, as Juliette the cleaning lady, provides much needed
light comic relief from the heavy subject. The whole play is fabulously dramatic and
perfectly executed. The set and costumes are well- balanced – not a thread is wasted,
not a centimetre of space unused." |
JULY
 Australian theatre is
thrown into controversy when Kookaburra CEO Peter Cousens cuts vital scenes from Company
after Christie Whelan [pictured] is unable to perform due to illness. In a major
theatrical scandal, composer Stephen Sondheim threatens to cancel the production and
demands a charity performance of the show be presented. Kookaburra issues a full-scale
apology as calls come for Cousens to resign.
Company B drops new musical Real Estate from its 2007 season.
It is announced that Billy Elliot will star Genevieve Lemon (Mrs
Wilkinson), Richard Piper (Dad), Lola Nixon (Grandma), Justin Smith (Tony) and John
Xintavelonis (Mr Braithwaite).
Amanda Harrison replaces Sophie Katinis in Miss Saigon.
David Campbell and Jolene Anderson win reality television show It Takes Two as
rumours spread across the industry that Anderson could soon make her musical debut.
Just months after producing an outstanding and critically acclaimed production of Sunday
in the Park with George, the Q Theatre in Penrith is left in tatters with huge fears
about its future and the sudden departure of Artistic Director David Hollywood.
Miss Saigon, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Priscilla and Keating! are
nominated for Best Musical at the 2007 Helpmann Awards.
Award-winning performer Paul Capsis is forced to take leave from the hit New York
show Absinthe due to a family illness.
It is announced that the first fully staged production of the James Millar and
Peter Rutherford musical The Hatpin will open in Sydney next year.
Lucinda Shaw is cast as the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. |
AUGUST
 Company
B's celebrated production of Keating! [Pictured] wins Best Musical at the 2007
Helpmann Awards on an evening dominated by the Sydney Theatre Company's controversial
eight hour epic The Lost Echo.
AussieTheatre.com exclusively reveals that Marina Prior and Lisa McCune will appear
in Guys and Dolls.
Producers confirm that a production of The Rocky Horror Show will be
staged in Sydney in 2008. The cast includes iOTA as Frank-n-Furter along with Paul Capsis,
Tamsin Carroll, Michael Cormick, Sharon Millerchip and Kellie Rode.
It is announced that Australian actor Simon Burke will play Captain Von Trapp in
the West End production of The Sound of Music from September 24.
Sydney's dance world is thrown into shock when incoming Artistic Director of the
Sydney Dance Company, Tanja Leidtke, is tragically killed after being hit by a garbage
truck in Crows Nest. She was just 30 years old. News of her death makes publications right
across the world.
The pressure on local theatre is being felt no worse than in the south-western
Sydney suburb of Picton, where a last ditch attempt is made to try and save the
40-year-old Picton Theatre Group.
Emily Cascarino wins the AussieTheatre.com Rising Star competition.
It is confirmed that Shout! will be revived in Australia. |
SEPTEMBER
 The Woodfire Cabaret
Restaurant announces it will close its doors.
The arts industry is shocked by another tragic accident when leading publicist Emma
Collison has a rollerblading accident and falls into a coma. She eventually recovers.
A turbulent debut year gets worse for Kookaburra when it is forced to cancel Floyd
Collins due to poor ticket sales. [Pictured].
Rising cabaret star Erin James makes her cabaret debut at the Statement Cabaret
Lounge. Kieran Colreavy says, in part: "Miss James presents a well selected
collection of songs, with some of the old favourites of musical theatre, like
‘Cabaret’ and ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’, the more modern ‘Taylor The
Latte Boy’ and the hilarious ‘Toll’. Her strong voice defies her petite
frame, as she moves skilfully across genres, from the hopeful ‘Wish Upon A Star’
to the hilarious ‘Alto’s Lament’, which was definitely one of the
highlights of the show. She even manages to ‘sing’ to us in Auslan, as she
combines her skill for sign language and her talent for singing, with moving
results."
Tickets to Spamalot go on sale.
A revival of Guys and Dolls is confirmed. The cast includes Lisa McCune as
Sarah Brown, Ian Stenlake as Sky Masterson, Garry McDonald as Nathan Detroit, Shane
Jacobson as Nicely Nicely and Magda Szubanski as Big Jule.
Kookaburra announces it will produce Sideshow Alley, Tell Me On A
Sunday and Little Women in 2008.
AussieTheatre.com exclusively reveals that Caroline O'Connor will star in the world
premiere of The Hatpin.
It is announced that John Adam, Alison Bell, Peter Carroll, Caroline Craig, Essie
Davis, Guy Edmonds, Daniel Frederiksen, Marcus Graham, Kim Gyngell, Bert Labonte, Garry
McDonald, Marshall Napier, Caroline O’Connor, Christen O’Leary, Genevieve Picot,
Grant Piro, Pamela Rabe, Greg Stone, Thomas Wright, Dan Wyllie, William Zappa, Matt
Zeremes and Julia Zemiro are just some of the big names that will line up for the
Melbourne Theatre Company's (MTC) 2008 subscription season |
OCTOBER
 Priscilla opens
in Melbourne.
Company B announces its 2008 season of plays, with a strong emphasis on the power
of great storytelling to strengthen the bond of understanding between communities,
cultures and generations.
The theatre industry is shocked when controversial Kookaburra CEO Peter Cousens is
named as part of the cast for The Hatpin.
The Seymour Centre launches its first ever subscription season.
The Sydney Theatre Company announces its 2008 season.
Steve J Spears, who wrote the international hit play The Elocution of Benjamin
Franklin, dies in Adelaide. He was 56.
In an incredible and dramatic day for Australian theatre, Kookaburra announces it
will drop Sideshow Alley from its 2008 season to avoid a crowded musical theatre
market.
Lorrae Desmond's new 'play with music', Honey, opens at the Riverside
Theatres in Parramatta to a standing ovation, setting the path for a successful season at
the western Sydney venue. [Pictured]
Colin Moody launches a stunning attack on incoming Sydney Theatre Company Artistic
Director Cate Blanchett, saying she is not fit to run the company.
Matthew Rennie, the inspiration behind Light The Night, loses his battle with
cancer. |
NOVEMBER
 Light
The Night 2007 is held in Sydney in front of a sell-out audience.
Equity declares it will take legal action against national musical theatre company
Kookaburra on November 30 if it does not pay outstanding debts to the cast of the
cancelled Floyd Collins. Talk of such action is later labelled
"premature" by both Kookaburra and Equity.
The 2007 graduates of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts arrive in
Melbourne and Sydney, performing at Showcase events as well as various charity nights.
Caroline O'Connor, Melle Stewart, Barry Crocker and Peter Cousens, Octavia
Barron-Martin, Nick Christo, Michelle Doake, Jodie Harris, Tyran Parke and Jennifer Peers
are confirmed as cast members for The Hatpin. [Pictured].
Incoming Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Cate Blanchett confirms she is
pregnant.
Penrith's Q Theatre announces its 2008 season, headed by hit musical Keating! and
a number of its own productions including a new musical.
Yellow Glass Theatre announces it will end its relationship with Eventainment.
Kookaburra asks actors from the failed Floyd Collins to appear in workshop
productions for the company for no pay as a "gesture of goodwill and commitment to
the future" of the company. |
DECEMBER
 Spamalot
opens in Melbourne.
It is announced that Belinda Wollaston and Darren Coggan will star in a new musical
being penned by country music legend John Williamson and Simon Heath, with its premiere
season scheduled for the EVAN Theatre in Penrith in February next year.
It is confirmed that Mary Poppins will play in Australia from October
2009.
Kookaburra CEO Peter Cousens opens up in a remarkable interview with
AussieTheatre.com, saying his one regret when it comes to the Company scandal is
that he did not make an announcement to the audience about the changes. He also confirms
the company is financially secure until at least 2010.
Billy Elliot [Pictured] opens in Sydney to outstanding reviews.
AussieTheatre.com's Troy Dodds said, in part: "Perhaps Billy
Elliot's key to success lies in its ability to walk many paths. As much as it is real
and hard-hitting, it is magical and fairytale-like. And while it is set in mid-80's
England, a time of struggle and hardship, it manages to create a feeling of richness, one
that, as the lyrics of 'Electricity' suggests, you can't control - 'I suppose it's like
forgetting, losing who you are'. The show's somewhat mainstream 'unlikely dancer becomes a
star' storyline will please the masses, Elton John's music and Lee Hall's book and lyrics
will warm the tastebuds of theatre aficionados and the backdrop of the mining strike of
1984/5 will certainly entertain those looking for something stronger in terms of script
content."
Auditions for the forthcoming production of Wicked are held in Sydney.
Rosalba Clemente is named the winner of the 2007 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights
Award as a result of her play Helly's Magic Cup.
Miss Saigon wins Best Musical at the 2007 AussieTheatre.com Awards. |
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