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Media Release: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Musical Opens Tomorrow At Hayes Theatre Co

27/05/2026 Breaking News

The devilishly cheeky, fun-filled Broadway music Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, officially opens at Hayes Theatre Co tomorrow. This glittering new production features an hilarious and sinfully talented cast led by musical theatre’s funniest leading men, Rowan Witt and Blake Erickson. Tickets are almost sold out with a handful still available from www.hayestheatre.com.au. To keep up with overwhelming demand, the production will transfer to Riverside Theatres for a strictly limited season. Tickets can be found at https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/dirty-rotten-scoundrels/

Music theatre star and Hayes Theatre Co favourite, Blake Erickson plays Lawrence Jamieson, a suave conman who believes in tricking corrupt, rich people out of their money to finance his lavish lifestyle. Currently on stage in the national tour of Cluedo, Blake most recently wowed audiences with his hilarious performance as Roger de Bris in The Producers and will later be seen on stage in My Fair Lady.

The cocky small-time American hustler Freddy Benson will be played by star of screen and stage, Rowan Witt who will make his welcome return to the Hayes. Rowan has starred in blockbuster productions Hamilton and Book of Mormon and played the leading role of Georg Nowak in She Loves Me at the Hayes. Currently, he can be seen in television series Ghosts Australia and Totally Completely Fine.

Blake Erickson, Aurélie Roque, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (c) John McCrae.jpg

Emma Feliciano, Kristina McNamara, Madelene Kirkwood in DRS (c) John McCrae.jpg

Christine Colgate, the naive and wealthy American heiress who is the target for Lawrence and Freddy’s con, will be played by Kristina McNamara (Ned Kelly, CHICAGO), and Jordan Shea (The Producers) plays police chief Andre Thibault. Two of the women conned by the pair, Muriel Eubanks and Jolene Oakes, are played by up-and-coming musical theatre stars Aurélie Roque (Pippin) and Scarlet Lindsay (Guys and Dolls). Rounding out the cast in the ensemble Oliver Clisdell, Emma Feliciano, Brendan Godwin, Madelene Kirkwood and Christopher Tendai.

This all-new Australian production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is directed by Rebecca McNamee (Abigail Williams), musically directed by Dylan Pollard (Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) and making his choreography debut is Cameron Boxall.

Based on the hit 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, this Tony-nominated musical comedy follows two cunning conmen — the elegant, ruthless Lawrence Jamieson and the wildly unpredictable Freddy Benson — as they go head-to-head on the French Riviera in a winner-takes-all game of deception. Their target? A sweet, unsuspecting American heiress. But in a world built on lies and reinvention, nothing — and no-one — is quite what they seem.

With a razor-sharp book by Jeffrey Lane and an irresistibly cheeky score by David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Tootsie, The Full Monty), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a riot of farcical foolishness, toe-tapping tunes, and whip-smart satire. Expect bold physical comedy, razor-edged elegance, and performances as dazzling as a Riviera sunset.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Director Rebecca McNamee
Music Director Dylan Pollard
Choreographer Cameron Boxall
Set Designer Soham Apte
Costume Designer Angelina Daniel
Producer Ebony Tucker
Associate Choreographer Carla Venezia
Assistant Choreographer Lauren Mitchell
Lighting Designer James Wallis

SEASON INFORMATION
Hayes Theatre
When: Friday 22nd May – Sunday 21st June
Times: Tues 6.30pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Thursday 1.00pm, Saturday 2.00pm & Sunday 1.00pm
Tickets: Tickets from $79 Adult, $69 Concession/Group, $60 Under 35, Previews from $69
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au | (02) 8065 7337

Riverside Theatres
When: Thursday 25th June – Sunday 28th June
Times: Thursday 2.00pm & 7.00pm, Friday 7.00pm, Saturday 2.00pm & 7.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm.
Tickets: From $59.00
Bookings: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/dirty-rotten-scoundrels/

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Emily Granger Solo Harp Album Launch Tour From 7 June

22/05/2026 Breaking News

American-born, Australian-based harpist Emily is one of the country’s most compelling musical voices. And, to celebrate the launch of her latest – solo – album on the ABC Classic label, she will bring this exquisite collection of pieces to audiences around Australia in intimate, live performances.

Starting in Brisbane, then coming to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and finally the Tyalgum Music Festival in the NSW Northern Rivers, each concert will be – like the album’s title – a thing of beauty.

“Intoxicatingly beautiful” – The Australian

In a world that rarely slows down, A Thing Of Beauty is an invitation to pause.
Hailed by audiences and critics alike as the ‘queen of contemporary classical performance’, and praised for her many outstanding recordings, this latest collection marks Emily’s return to what she says matters most in these times – simplicity, stillness and unapologetic beauty!
Featuring the work of Australian women composers – including two new commissions – the tour repertoire showcases the album’s path through vulnerability and authenticity, from gentle lullabies to portraits of vivid landscapes. Sharing the poetry and stories behind the music, Emily crafts an intimate concert experience that speaks directly to the heart, her natural warmth creating an immediate and lasting connection with listeners.

A Thing of Beauty Tour Schedule:
• Brisbane Sunday 7 June 4pm at Plant Empire
• Adelaide Hills Saturday 13 June 2.30pm at UKARIA Cultural Centre
• Melbourne Tuesday 7 July 7pm at Melbourne Recital Centre, Primrose Potter Salon
• Sydney Monday 13 July 7pm at Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room
• Tyalgum Sunday 27 September 10am at Tyalgum Music Festival

Says Emily: “All of these works are by Australian women composers, the album itself created almost entirely by women. A Thing Of Beauty is both a celebration and a statement: of artistry, of connection, and of finding calm in a complex and unpredictable world.”

A Thing Of Beauty features works by Alice Chance, Christina Sonnemann Baehr, Anne Cawrse, Ulpia Erdos, Sarah Elise Thompson, Margaret Tesch-Muller, Tara Minton, Elena Kats-Chernin, Katy Abbott, Nat Bartsch & Sally Greenaway. The title track, A Thing Of Beauty, is by Adelaide-based composer and cellist Hilary Kleinig.

Emily Granger is Principal Harp with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Her debut solo album In Transit established her as one of Australia’s most distinctive harp voices, attracting an international streaming audience and bringing repertoire by living composers to new listeners. A Thing Of Beauty extends that work, deepening her focus on Australian women composers and on the role of beauty as a form of care in contemporary life.

Information, ticketing & album orders: https://emilygranger.com/a-thing-of-beauty

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Knock And Run Theatre’s The Lifespan Of A Fact

19/05/2026 Breaking News

Truth Gets Put On Trial In Knock And Run Theatre’s The Lifespan Of A Fact

What happens when facts, feelings, and deadlines collide?

Knock And Run Theatre presents the Newcastle premiere of The Lifespan of a Fact – a sharp, fast-paced comedy inspired by a true story that asks whether truth is ever really black and white.

Based on the acclaimed book by celebrated essayist John D’Agata and fact-checker Jim Fingal, the play follows an ambitious young intern tasked with verifying every detail in a high-profile magazine article before publication. What begins as a routine edit quickly spirals into a hilarious and heated battle over accuracy, artistic license, and who gets to decide what the truth really is.

Originally staged on Broadway starring Daniel Radcliffe, Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones, The Lifespan Of A Fact finally hits Newcastle stages for the first time this September. Filled with razor-sharp dialogue and escalating tension, The Lifespan Of A Fact explores misinformation, journalism, ego, and storytelling in an era where facts themselves often feel up for debate. Fans of The West Wing, Succession and The Newsroom will love The Lifespan Of A Fact.

Directed by Patrick Campbell, the production features veteran Novocastrian actors James Chapman (School Of Rock: The Musical), Angela Robertson (The Goat Or Who Is Sylvia) and Carl Caulfield (Being Sellers) and promises an energetic theatrical experience packed with wit, urgency, and surprising relevance.

The Lifespan Of A Fact is “Buoyantly literate… You’ll find yourself happy to have your preconceptions disturbed and assumptions unsettled.” says The Washington Post. “Wholly resonant questions [are] wrestled with in this briskly entertaining play.”

Known for producing bold and inventive independent theatre, Knock And Run Theatre continues its commitment to contemporary works that challenge and entertain audiences in equal measure. The Lifespan Of A Fact follows an critically acclaimed production of “I And You” in April staged at The Royal Exchange.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
The Lifespan Of A Fact
Presented by Knock And Run Theatre
PLAYHOUSE, CIVIC THEATRE
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9th – 7:30pm
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10th – 7:30pm
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11th – 7:30pm
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12th – 2pm & 7:30pm
Tickets ON SALE NOW: www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
More info: https://www.knockandruntheatre.com/thelifespanofafact

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The Smash-hit Broadway Musical A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical Is Coming To Sydney

18/05/2026 Breaking News

Feature-A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

Producers Paul Dainty and TEG Dainty, Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio are thrilled to announce following its highly anticipated Australian premiere in Melbourne in August 2026, the internationally acclaimed production A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL will play a strictly limited season at The Sydney Lyric from November 2026.

Tickets for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL in Sydney will be released first to waitlist members with an exclusive pre-sale commencing Tuesday 9 June, ahead of the general public on sale from Monday 15 June. Join the waitlist here www.theneildiamondmusical.com.au for tickets.

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 140 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway – and the world.

Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is a deeply personal and electrifying theatrical experience, charting Neil Diamond’s rise to superstardom through the songs that defined his life and career.

Neil Diamond’s connection with Australia spans nearly half a century of music and memories. He has toured here seven times with promoter Paul Dainty AO, from the landmark Thank You Australia tour in 1976 through to 2015, with his music resonating deeply with audiences. His iconic 1972 live album Hot August Night spent 29 weeks at number one and 65 weeks on the chart, making it the third-longest-charting album of its era in Australian music history.

“Some of my most thrilling nights have been while sharing my music with audiences around the world,” said Neil Diamond. “A BEAUTIFUL NOISE has already had an incredible journey on Broadway and is currently touring across the U.S. and it’s an incredible honour to see it heading to Melbourne and Sydney. I hope Australian audiences enjoy the show as much as I have.”

Producer Paul Dainty AO said: “Sydney has always had a deep connection with Neil Diamond’s music, and I’m delighted that audiences there will experience this extraordinary production following its Melbourne premiere. There has already been remarkable demand in Melbourne ahead of opening, which speaks to the enduring place Neil’s music holds in the hearts of Australians. This musical is a powerful celebration of his life and legacy, filled with the songs that have meant so much to generations. It’s an honour to bring this story to the Sydney stage.”

Producer Ken Davenport said: “A BEAUTIFUL NOISE has connected with audiences around the world because it’s more than a musical — it’s a deeply human story told through one of the greatest songbook of all time. We’ve been thrilled by the extraordinary response already building in Melbourne, and we’re excited to bring that same energy to Sydney audiences later this year.”

The Australian cast of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is led by Broadway star Will Swenson in the titular role Neil Diamond – Then, bringing his acclaimed, award-winning performance to Australia for the very first time.

Joining Swenson is an exceptional company of Australian talent, featuring principal cast members Terence Crawford (Neil Diamond – Now), Ashleigh Rubenach (Marcia Murphey), Monica Sayers (Doctor), Alana Tranter (Jaye Posner), Tim Wright (Fred Weintraub / Tommy O’Rourke), Paul Hanlon (Bert Berns / Kieve Diamond), Hannah Fredericksen (Ellie Greenwich / Rose Diamond), with Rob Mallett (Standby Neil Diamond – Then), and Mark Owen Taylor (Standby Neil Diamond – Now, Fred Weintraub / Tommy O’Rourke, Bert Berns / Kieve Diamond).

Rounding out the company as “The Beautiful Noise” ensemble are Katrina Bickerton, Cameron Davey, Paul Leandre Escorrido, Matt Hourigan, Alana Iannace, Jerome Javier (Swing) Joshua Kobeck, Etuate Lutui (Shilo soloist), Anna Mallows (Swing), Jordan Malone, James Maxfield (Swing), Isabella Roberts, Sophie Tzioumis, Emma Wilby (Swing), and Erica Wild (Swing).

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Chess, Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes). The design team for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE features Tony Award winner David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award nominee Emilio Sosa (Costume Design), four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Jessica Paz (Sound Design), and Luc Verschueren (Hair, Wig and Make Up Design). The production has Music Supervision and Arrangements by Sonny Paladino, Incidental Music and Dance Music Arrangements by Brian Usifer, Vocal Design by AnnMarie Milazzo, and Orchestrations by Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino, and Brian Usifer.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL
Melbourne – The Princess Theatre, Previews commence on Wednesday 5 August, 2026.
Sydney – The Sydney Lyric, Previews commence on Saturday 14 November, 2026

For Ticketing information visit www.theneildiamondmusical.com.au

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