Smash-hit Musical The Lovers Opens In Sydney Next Week

Feature-The Lovers

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.”

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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The Addams Family Opens this Week at Teatro

Feature-The Addams Family

They’re creepy, they’re kooky and they’re moving in this week! With Halloween approaching, the inaugural musical at Teatro at the Italian Forum, The Addams Family, opens this week running until 26 October. Tickets to this Tony Award® nominated, global smash-hit at the exciting newly revitalized theatre are on sale now from www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

Audiences will be transported into the mysterious and macabre world of Gomez, Morticia and their delightfully eccentric clan in this laugh-out-loud, heart-warming show based on the characters created by Charles Addams. This fully staged production is being brought to life by Australia’s newest musical theatre stars from the acclaimed THEatreBRIDGE program.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a secret crush with a “normal” boy. The stage is set for a night that will change the family forever as their very different families meet for the first time. Set to an extraordinary original score, The Addams Family is a musical theatre sensation for the entire family.

The spectacular musical comedy from Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, writers of the multi award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, promises a devilishly good night at the theatre. Directed and musically directed by Teatro Co-Founder Andrew Bevis, with choreography by Teatro Co-Founder Nathan M. Wright, The Addams Family will transform the Teatro into a gothic wonderland.

So dust off your cobwebs, grab your ghoul-friends, and prepare to snap along to The Addams Family.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Season: 3 – 26 October

Venue: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton Street, Leichhardt

Performance Times: Wed-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm

Prices: From $65 (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies)

Bookings: www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

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Meet the Actor – A Night With The Villains

A Night With the Villains

This Halloween, Mira Ball Productions, in association with Our Yakka and the Salad Bowl Collective, brings you a sinister night of villainous melodies through their concert A Night With The Villains.

But only for two unforgettable nights – Tuesday 31st Oct and Wednesday 1st Nov. Here we meet one of the concert’s principal performers – Georgia Leigh – whom we chatted to for the insider’s view of A Night With The Villains.

About Georgia Leigh

A Night With the Villains

What do you enjoy most about acting?

I love the way being an actor can transport you to so many different places and be a completely different person to yourself. It’s so fun being able to play different characters. I personally love going out after the show and meeting the audience, hearing what they think and interacting with them as myself.

What productions have you acted in before?

I have worked mainly in Musical Theatre, with most of my professional experience in Children’s Theatre, starring in roles such as Sophie in Mamma Mia and Nancy in Oliver! And Rosalie Mullins in the QLD Amateur Premier of School of Rock. I have performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival with JALLY Entertainment, performing as Snowy in Snowy and the 7 Cool Dudes by A.J. Bailey and have performed this show in 6 states and territories.

What has been your favourite role so far in your career?

I met my husband playing Sophie in Mamma Mia, so I am probably slightly biased in thinking that’s my favourite role. In terms of the most challenging, I think that would have been Rosalie Mullins from School of Rock, she is very different to who I am, so it was hard being a tight arse, but that’s what made it so enjoyable.

What do you think makes a performance most believable?

I think that a believable performance has heart. I find performances most believable when I can sense the deep connection to the character, and can feel and see myself in those moments.

Are there any particular genres or types of roles that you prefer or feel most comfortable in?

I love working in the Children’s Theatre. Although physically demanding, it brings me joy knowing that I could potentially influence future young actors. I remember watching shows at my school and thinking how amazing it was, and I hope I am bringing that same feeling to others.

About A Night With The Villains

A Night With the Villains

What is this Production about?

A Night With The Villians is the amazing brainchild of Elodie Boal and Trent Sellars, with help from Jennifer B Ashley and Jackie Fredericksen along the way. Imagine having all the best villains in the world returning for just one night (in our case, 2!) and tormenting you with fabulous song and dance. Truly, it is a match made in Halloween heaven, but you can’t just take my word for it!

What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?

I am playing the Wicked Witch character. As soon as I was posited with going green for this show, I was all in! Some of the best roles are painted green, so I am actually honoured to be doing it for this one! Everyone in this show has a unique character, and it is so wicked and fun to see them transform at rehearsals.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I spent a year in America in 2019, and the difference between American Halloween and ours cannot be understated! When Elodie approached me about being a part of a Halloween show, you bet I was ready brooms-a-blazing. Being a part of a supportive cast and crew was also a major draw card. These guys have been the BEST to work with.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

Everyone who loves a bit of a spook and something quirky will love this show—bringing a little bit of Musical Theatre, Film and Television together in one jam-packed 2-hour thrill. Everyone has their moment to shine and tell their own unique story with iconic songs and amazing dancing.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

How amazing the talent is in Brisbane (though we already knew it!), the cast is so solid in their performances and deliveries I think that people will be amazed.

Georgia can be seen in A Night With The Villains from 31st Oct to 1st November in the Ron Hurley Theatre in the spooky Seven Hills Hub.

Other interviews can be viewed in Our Meet The Actor Series, or check here for the latest Dark Stories Theatre Reviews.