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Smash-hit Musical The Lovers Opens In Sydney Next Week

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Australian pop musical sensation The Lovers opens next week on 31 October at Sydney’s Theatre Royal for two weeks only. Those audiences looking for an extra special night out will also have the chance to celebrate Halloween at the very first performance in Sydney for a chance to win best dressed prizes, purchase exclusive merchandise and fall in love with the extraordinary superstar cast.

Romantic, rebellious and irresistibly fun, this tangled tale of love is written and composed by the acclaimed Laura Murphy and directed by Nick Skubij. The Lovers catapults Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream into the 21st century with a pulsating pop soundtrack, a powerhouse live band and a bold new twist on the timeless comedy — bursting with energy and heart.

Audiences and critics alike have fallen head over heels for The Lovers, most recently playing at Queensland Performing Arts Centre where the show received rapturous audience response with nightly standing ovations and rave reviews. The Courier Mail called it “Truly magical, a show that looks and feels like a big-budget Broadway import, yet pulses with fresh Australian energy,” and further emphasised “Mark my words: this is Australia’s next big musical.”

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The Lovers’ star-studded cast includes Natalie Abbott (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Zombie! The Musical) as Helena, Jason Arrow (Hamilton, Guys and Dolls) as Demetrius, Jayme-Lee Hanekom (Tina The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon) as Puck, Loren Hunter (SIX The Musical, American Psycho) as Hermia, Stellar Perry (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show) as Oberon and Mat Verevis (Beautiful, Tina The Tina Turner Musical) as Lysander. Rounding out the cast are Indigo Hunt (Hamilton), Jenni Little (Titanique, Tina The Tina Turner Musical) and Nic Van Lits (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show).

Supporting them is a team of some of the country’s most revered creatives including Director Nick Skubij (Frankenstein), Choreographer Yvette Lee (Follies), Music Director Heidi Maguire (SIX The Musical), Designer Isabel Hudson (Dear Evan Hansen), Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest (Frankenstein) and Tony® Award nominee David Bergman (The Picture of Dorian Gray) as Video and Sound Designer.

Get set for a totally modern love story — where nothing goes as planned, but everything happens for a reason.

Shake & Stir Theatre Co and John Frost for Crossroads Live present The Lovers A musical by Laura Murphy

Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: 31 October – 16 November
Performance Times: Tue 7pm, Wed 1pm & 7pm, Thu 7pm, Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7.30pm, Sun 1pm
Prices: From $69 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: theloversmusical.com.au or 1300 163 808
Groups 8+ call 1300 163 808

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Putting It Together Comes To Sydney’s Foundry Theatre

Feature-PUTTING IT TOGETHER

A dazzling celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest work, Putting It Together, is coming to Sydney’s Foundry Theatre in January. Set at a glamorous cocktail party, the show blends wit, charm and razor-sharp insight as the cast navigate the complexities of love, ambition and desire. Featuring a seamless revue of Sondheim’s most iconic songs, audiences are taken on a journey through the genius of one of musical theatre’s most influential composers and lyricists, all wrapped within a clever and intimate story set at an all-night, black tie party. This once-in-a-lifetime event brings together some of Australia’s finest performers – Caroline O’Connor (Chicago, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd), Michael Cormick (The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty & the Beast), Nigel Huckle (Miss Saigon, West Side Story), Bert LaBonté (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Book of Mormon) and Stefanie Caccamo (Into The Woods, The Lord of the Rings) – alongside Australia’s finest creative team. Together, they deliver extraordinary vocal power, charisma and artistry to Sondheim’s timeless score. Their combined talent transforms the production into an unmissable theatrical experience, a stunning musical celebration of both Sondheim’s brilliance and the best of Australian stage talent.

“It’s not often you get to put your dream cast on stage — but that’s exactly what we’ve achieved here,” said producer Craig Donnell. “Every one of these performers represents the finest Australian talent, drawn from the biggest musicals across Australia, Broadway and the West End. Stephen Sondheim described Caroline O’Connor as ‘the best Mrs Lovett he has ever heard’. Michael Cormick is Australia’s ultimate leading man – Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and The Beast and more.

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“We’re so pleased to be bringing Bert LaBonté back to the stage in between his film and television work. Nigel is returning from New York specifically to take part, and Stefanie has been touring the world in The Lord of the Rings. To have them all together on one stage in Sydney is a magnificent achievement.”

Graeme Kearns, CEO of Foundation Theatres, added, “We’re thrilled to be staging this exceptional production of Putting It Together in the intimate setting of the Foundry Theatre. This is exactly the kind of world-class performance we built the theatre for — a place where audiences can experience the very best of musical theatre up close and in comfort. It promises to be a truly special night at the theatre.”

Putting It Together was first performed in Oxford, UK in 1992, directed by Julia McKenzie and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, with a cast led by Diana Rigg and Clive Carter. The original US production in 1993 by the Manhattan Theatre Club featured Christopher Durang, Rachel York and Dame Julie Andrews, making her return to the New York City stage after an absence of more than 30 years. The Broadway production in 1999 starred Carol Burnett, George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, John Barrowman and Bronson Pinchot. Hearn was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. The revue received its West End premiere in 2014 featuring Janie Dee, David Bedella, Damian Humbley, Caroline Sheen and Daniel Crossley.

Don’t miss this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime musical event; www.foundrytheatre.com.au/putting-it-together

PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim
Devised by Stephen Sondheim and Julia McKenzie
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Supervisor Guy Simpson
Directed and choreographed by Cameron Mitchell
Musical Direction by Kevin Wang
Set Design by Nick Fry
Costume Design by Nigel Shaw
Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish
Sound Design by Michael Waters
Creative Producer Sharon Millerchip
Produced by Impresario Productions
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)

SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Foundry Theatre, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Season: 6 January – 15 February 2026
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.00 (Transaction fees apply)

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Shirley Valentine Starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte Opens Next Week In Sydney

Feature-Shirley Valentine

The joyous, life affirming comedy Shirley Valentine, starring leading lady of stage and screen Natalie Bassingthwaighte, opens in Sydney next week. Playing at Theatre Royal Sydney for one week only from 22-26 October, Natalie as Shirley Valentine has captivated audiences and critics alike, bringing Willy Russell’s iconic, heartwarming story to vibrant new life.

This beloved one-woman play tells the inspiring and hilarious story of Shirley, a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife stuck in a life of routine. Talking to her kitchen wall, she dreams of escape and wonders what happened to the adventurous girl she once was. When a friend invites her on a spontaneous holiday to Greece, Shirley takes a bold leap into the unknown. With humour, charm and grit, she rediscovers her passion for life and her sense of self. Will she return to her old ways, or will Shirley find a new life where she can finally be her true self?

Shirley Valentine is brought to life by acclaimed actress Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Known for her incredible versatility spanning film (Elvis), television (Neighbours, Underbelly, X-Factor) and stage (Chicago, Jagged Little Pill), Natalie’s portrayal promises to deliver a fresh, dynamic take on Shirley’s journey, capturing every laugh, tear and moment of courage.

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Audiences and critics raved about the play and Bassingthwaighte’s performance in Melbourne and Adelaide:
“An impressive and endearing performance that had the audience on its feet” – The Age
“Deliciously funny, poignantly moving, inspiringly uplifting” – Simon Parris, Man in Chair
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Grab your girlfriends and make a night of it. You’ll leave the theatre laughing, inspired and maybe even planning your own adventure” – MelbourniseMe
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An exceptional play, performed by an exceptional actor” – Impulse Gamer
“Absolute gold. Don’t miss this stunning production” – Thescoop.au
“Bassingthwaighte truly captivated with her superb portrayal. A phenomenal one-woman performance” – Thescoop.au
“Genuinely moving” – Limelight

www.shirleyvalentine.com.au

SYDNEY SEASON
Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: 22-26 October (one week only)
Performance Times: Wed & Thurs 2pm and 7pm, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm
Prices: From $59.00 (Transaction fees apply)

BRISBANE SEASON
Venue: Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills
Season: 29 October– 8 November
Performance Times: Wed & Thurs 2pm and 7pm, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, Sunday 3pm
Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)

 

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World Champagne Day On 24 October As Blanc De Blanc Encore Extends Until February 2026

Feature-Blanc de Blanc Encore

Smash-hit ‘champagne cabaret’ Blanc de Blanc Encore celebrates World Champagne Day on 24 October and announces a season extension until February 2026, making it one of the river city’s longest running shows.

Since opening in November last year, Blanc de Blanc Encore has wowed audiences so much that the show is still running, with new dates now on sale until February 2026 at bespoke and award-winning theatre and bar The West End Electric.

“Blanc de Blanc Encore has run longer than many major musicals do, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the overwhelming response. It shows just how much Brisbane loves a cheeky ‘champagne cabaret’! So we’ll be sticking around for the ‘party-season’ with shows all through summer,” says Producer Jess Copas, who has had a busy year, with the company presenting shows in London as well as all over Australia.

The cast and venue are celebrating their success with a World Champagne Day event for the ages, on Friday 24 October. The one-of-a-kind night will feature free-flowing Moët & Chandon, champagne oysters, exclusive surprise show moments, ‘champagne glam’ best dressed prizes and more.

“You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten champagne oysters – where the vinaigrette is replaced with unadulterated French champagne, thanks to our official sponsor Moët & Chandon,” says Venue Manager Rachael Hale.

Festivities will begin at 5:30pm, with the Blanc cast sabreing a bottle of French to begin the night of decadence. Flowing Moët & Chandon is included in the standard ticket price to see Blanc de Blanc Encore on World Champagne Day only. Which might just make it one of the hottest tickets in town!

After the show, the two most gloriously dressed attendees will be crowned ‘Champagne Monarchs’, in a nod to the drink’s history as the official libation of kings and queens.

Blanc de Blanc Encore transports guests from a sophisticated French lounge to a pumping nightclub party with the world’s finest acrobatic talent, great tunes, big laughs, lots of skin and more than a few surprises.

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The international cast includes world-class circus, theatre and dance performers who have worked alongside the likes of Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Rihanna, ripped up the floor on Dancing with the Stars and graced major stages on many continents.

Global powerhouse production house Strut & Fret are thrilled to extend the Blanc de Blanc Encore season again at Brisbane’s bespoke new theatre and bar The West End Electric.

The minds behind The Garden of Unearthly Delights, The Spiegeltent, The Grand Electric and now The West End Electric, Strut & Fret have toured their signature circus-cabaret shows to 25 countries from Brussels to Bogota and Perth to Prague.

Tickets are selling fast for World Champagne Day and all other dates via The West End Electric. Bookings are also being taken for Christmas parties and group events. Audiences are encouraged to be quick to secure their favourite seats for the festive season.

VENUE: The West End Electric, 125 Boundary St, West End, QLD 4101
DATES: Season extension until February 2026; World Champagne Day on Friday 24 October
SHOWTIMES: Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays 7:30pm, Saturdays 4:30pm & 7:30pm; Sundays 5:30pm (times may differ, see the website for all show times)
PRICES: Tickets from $64 + booking fees with special discounts and balcony bar hire options for parties.

  The West End Electric

Praise for Blanc de Blanc Encore

“The Blanc experience serves up the top shelf of cabaret-burlesque-circus entertainment with a devilish smile and a knowing wink. This show is bubbling over with hilarious hosts, talented performers dressed up (and down) in dazzling couture-fashion-level costuming, interactive stunts and so-rude-it’s-right jokes.” — Time Out Sydney

“Whether it was risqué cancan in stilettos, striptease, slapstick, vamping, the pole or aerial rings…. [the performers] did not miss a beat” — Theatre Thoughts

Praise for The West End Electric

“Officially Brisbane’s coolest theatre venue” — The Westender

“The West End Electric evokes a sense of bohemian opulence” — Brisbane Times

“Think vaudeville, New York cabaret, Moulin Rouge vibes mixed with cocktails upon cocktails. What’s not to love?” — Urban List Brisbane

 

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