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The Nutcracker On Ice Skates Into Sydney This Christmas

09/07/2026 Breaking News

Sydney’s festive season is about to get a spectacular new centrepiece, with it announced today that the internationally acclaimed Imperial Ice Stars will return to Sydney’s Coliseum Theatre this December for an Australian-exclusive season of The Nutcracker on Ice.

With demand expected to be high following the company’s acclaimed season of Swan Lake on Ice, audiences are encouraged to join the official waitlist now to unlock exclusive priority access and save $20 per ticket, while also going into the draw to win four Opening Night tickets.* Join the waitlist at https://coliseumtheatre.com.au/whats-on/the-nutcracker-on-ice/

Bringing together the beauty of classical ballet, Olympic-level ice skating and breathtaking theatrical spectacle, The Nutcracker on Ice transforms Tchaikovsky’s beloved score into a dazzling production unlike any other. Created by world-renowned Artistic Director Tony Mercer, the production combines magnificent choreography, high-speed skating, spectacular acrobatics and lavish costumes in a magical family experience for all ages.

Richard Errington, CEO of West HQ, said welcoming the Imperial Ice Stars back to the Coliseum Theatre was a major highlight for Western Sydney. “The Coliseum continues to draw audiences from far and wide for exceptional performances, and welcoming the Imperial Ice Stars back is a highlight for Western Sydney. Their production of Swan Lake on Ice earlier last year was a standout success, attracting visitors from across Sydney and beyond who came to experience the scale and artistry of this world-class company.”

Imperial Ice Stars in Nutcracker on-Ice-Pic Supplied.jpg

“We’re thrilled to close out 2026 with a two-week Australian-exclusive season of The Nutcracker on Ice. It’s a privilege to bring international performance of this scale to our stage and we look forward to welcoming audiences from near and far for a season that will elevate Western Sydney’s reputation for world-class entertainment and deliver an unforgettable finale to the year.”

Tony Mercer, Artistic Director of the Imperial Ice Stars, said “The Coliseum Theatre gave the Imperial Ice Stars the most incredible start to 2025 when we appeared there with our production of Swan Lake on Ice in January. Two weeks of warm and wonderful standing ovations to our production started the year with a bang.

Now we have the pleasure of bringing our enchanting production of The Nutcracker on Ice to bring the year of 2026 to a close. I promise you an evening of excitement with the beautiful tale of Clara and her adventures with her nutcracker doll and the wondrous journey it will take her on. Edge-of-your-seat excitement along with a story that warms the heart. I am so happy to be returning to one of the world’s newest and most unique theatres and do hope you can join me and my Imperial Ice Stars for an evening of theatre magic!”

The story follows young Clara, who receives a mysterious wooden nutcracker that magically comes to life. Guided by the Sugar Plum Fairy, she embarks on an enchanting journey through a winter wonderland and the Kingdom of Sweets, where imagination, adventure and wonder await. Featuring the Imperial Ice Stars’ signature ice-skating artistry, dramatic storytelling and breathtaking stage design, The Nutcracker on Ice promises an unforgettable festive theatre experience that will delight audiences from the moment the ice comes alive.

Those wanting the best value are encouraged to WAITLIST NOW, with waitlist members receiving exclusive priority access, $20 off every ticket purchased during the Waitlist period, and the chance to win four tickets to Opening Night.* (Terms and conditions apply.)

Join the waitlist now to be first in line for tickets and exclusive savings before tickets go on general sale at https://coliseumtheatre.com.au/whats-on/the-nutcracker-on-ice/

Priority Presales: From 23rd July, 10am
Kids’ Tickets start at $48 plus booking fees (Early Bird Only)

General Public On Sale: Thursday 6 August, 10am
Tickets start at $68 plus booking fees.

BOOKINGS
INTERNET: COLISEUMTHEATRE.COM.AU or TICKETEK.COM.AU
PHONE: 02 9625 5500 10am to 5pm
IN PERSON AT: WEST HQ Box Office, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill, NSW 2766

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Exquisite Harmonies – Marais Project’s New Album And Concert

08/07/2026 Breaking News

The Marais Project, acknowledged Australian masters of the baroque, launch their new album in July and will follow up with a spectacular concert in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Saturday August 15 at 7.30pm.

The Exquisite Harmonies concert features ensemble leader and viola da gamba virtuoso Jennifer Eriksson, keyboard wizard Anthony Abouhamad and enchanting violinist/vocalist Susie Bishop, plus – on the album – maestro of the lute, Tommie Andersson.

Unlike the violin and brass families whose members evolved but remained in use across the 17th to 20th centuries, the viol and the harpsichord all but disappeared by the late 1700s. They returned to concert stages in the 1960s and 70s and have not left the podium since. Over the years they have built a fan base of dedicated admirers.

This was the experience of gambist and The Marais Project’s founder, Jenny Eriksson:

“As a young musician I had no idea about the viola da gamba and initially studied the cello at Sydney Conservatorium. The first time I heard the gamba ‘live’ I fell in love with it. I’ve been in love ever since!”

Anthony Abouhamad similarly commenced with the modern-day piano but became interested in the fortepiano and harpsichord at Sydney Conservatorium. At different times both Anthony and Jenny undertook post graduate studies in The Netherlands, returning to Sydney to make their respective careers here. Anthony recently completed a PhD and is now on the staff of his alma mater.

“In one sense, there was a period of my life when I grew up making music with Jenny,” Abouhamad commented, “And I’ve always enjoyed working with her.”

Having met as members of one of Eriksson’s Musica Viva Australia in Schools ensembles, they continued to perform together regularly. Most recently, Anthony appeared on The Marais Project’s ‘Australian Monody’ album. Appropriately, all ticket sales from the 15 August performance will go to the Musica Viva Australia in Schools Program – the musicians donating their time to this important cause.

The Exquisite Harmonies program includes suites and sonatas for viola da gamba by Telemann and Carl Friedrich Abel. In addition, Jenny assembled a ‘Grand Suite’ of several famous French baroque composers for the viol, men whose lives were closely linked. For example, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, who famously added the seventh string to the viola da gamba, taught the young Marin Marais. Antoine Forqueray’s fearsome virtuosity was said to have exceeded that of the celebrated Marais, whose career he overlapped with. Both men attracted the attention of the music and dance-loving monarch, Louis XIV. A contemporary commentator, Hubert Le Blanc, wrote that Marais played like an angel, and Forqueray like the devil. Anthony also presents music for solo harpsichord by Telemann and Couperin as well as improvising a Fantasia in the style of Telemann – a rare treat.

The Marais Project has always taken an innovative approach to music making. The final track on Exquisite Harmonies is The Acceptance by Biripi and Gamillaroi musician and composer, Troy Russell. Jenny asked Troy to write The Acceptance as a kind of musical acknowledgement of country. Tommie Andersson, gallichon, and Susie Bishop, voice and violin, join Jenny on this track. It gently reminds listeners that First Nations’ artists preceded European musicians on this continent by millennia.

Singles from the album will be released on 15 and 29 July with the full album available from 7 August.

The Marais Project: Exquisite Harmonies – album available as CD and download from MOVE Records, Buywell Music, iTunes and streaming platforms including Apple Music (also mixed in Dolby Atmos), Spotify and as a high-resolution download.

Exquisite Harmonies: Launch Concert 7.30 pm, Saturday 15 August 2026
Choir Rehearsal Room, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct – Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Dawes Point

All album and ticket purchases at www.maraisproject.com.au

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Black Swan Theatre Company Appoints New Artistic Director

08/07/2026 Breaking News

Feature-Black Swan State Theatre Company Appoints New Artistic Director

Black Swan State Theatre Company is delighted to announce the appointment of acclaimed Australian theatre maker Matt Edgerton as its new Artistic Director.

An award-winning director, dramaturg, writer and actor, Edgerton will lead Western Australia’s flagship theatre company into its next artistic chapter, succeeding outgoing Artistic Director Kate Champion.

A WAAPA graduate with more than 25 years’ experience across Australia’s theatre sector, Edgerton brings an exceptional record of artistic leadership, new work development and audience engagement. His career has spanned senior creative roles including Head of New Work at Melbourne Theatre Company, Artistic Director of Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Resident Artist at Bell Shakespeare and Senior Lecturer in Acting at WAAPA.

Edgerton is widely recognised for creating bold, inventive theatre that connects deeply with audiences. His directing credits include productions for Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Barking Gecko, The Last Great Hunt, Monkey Baa, Sport For Jove and numerous other leading Australian companies.

He has also enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Black Swan, directing The Seed, The Shepherd’s Hut and Fully Sikh, while appearing on stage in Plainsong and Speaking in Tongues.

Black Swan Chair Francois Witbooi said Edgerton’s appointment marks an exciting new era for the company.

“Matt is one of Australia’s most respected theatre artists and leaders. His remarkable ability to champion new voices while reimagining classic works makes him an exceptional choice to lead Black Swan into its next chapter. He deeply understands this company, its audiences and the unique role Black Swan plays in telling Western Australian stories.”

Witbooi said Edgerton’s vision aligns strongly with the company’s commitment to artistic excellence and community connection.

“Matt brings an extraordinary combination of artistic ambition, generosity and strategic leadership. His passion for developing artists, building audiences and creating theatre that is inspiring, courageous and entertaining will ensure Black Swan continues to thrive as one of Australia’s leading theatre companies.”

Edgerton said he is honoured to lead Black Swan.

“Black Swan gave me my first professional break in the epic Plainsong, directed by its Founding Artistic Director Andrew Ross. Nearly thirty years later, it is the greatest honour of my career to be appointed as the company’s fifth Artistic Director,” he said.

“I can’t wait to begin work with the amazing Black Swan team and our community of exceptional artists to create the next wave of great Western Australian theatre for audiences here and across the country – work that is bold, eclectic and unmistakably our own, “ Edgerton said.

Edgerton will commence full time as Artistic Director at the beginning of 2027, working closely with the company to build upon the strong artistic legacy established under Kate Champion’s leadership while shaping an exciting future for Black Swan State Theatre Company. Champion will continue to finalise the 2027 programme, and will conclude her term at the end of this year.

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Rally In Red To Save Sydney Theatre – Sun 2 August

08/07/2026 Breaking News

For over 100 years, Marian Street Theatre has been a gathering place for Ku-ring-gai; from its early days as a memorial hall to its evolution into one of Australia’s most respected suburban theatres. Thousands of artists have performed there, and generations of locals have treasured memories of their own local theatre – but it has lain derelict for 13 years.

Residents, artists and community organisations will gather outside Gordon Library on Sunday 2 August for Rally in Red, a community protest calling on Ku-ring-gai Council to preserve the approved Development Application (DA) for Marian St Theatre before it expires on 19 August.

The rally follows Ku-ring-gai Council’s decision on 16 June to abandon the approved redevelopment after more than 20 years of reports, consultation and planning, placing $1.7 million of public investment in architectural design and community engagement at risk.

If the DA expires, the only approved pathway to reopening Marian St Theatre as a contemporary Arts Centre will be lost.

Marian St Theatre Action Chair Jessica Blaxland Ashby said the community was determined not to let that happen. “There are just weeks left to save the approved plans for Marian St Theatre. Stand with us before it’s too late.”

The approved redevelopment, designed by nationally recognised theatre architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, would transform Marian St Theatre into a contemporary Arts Centre with spaces for theatre, music, dance, exhibitions & community events.

Blaxland-Ashby 3 generations at Marian St - photo John Appleyard News Ltd.jpg

Blaxland-Ashby 3 Generations at Marian St - courtesy SMH.jpg

Ku-ring-gai has 44 sports fields, 67 tennis courts, two golf courses and recently spent $26.6 million on two basketball courts inside a high school, yet has no dedicated, publicly accessible performing arts venue. The Marian St redevelopment would fill that gap and create a vibrant, accessible cultural destination.

The campaign has gathered momentum since Council’s decision, with the NSW Parliamentary petition attracting strong community support and the future of Marian St Theatre being raised in both the Australian and NSW Parliaments this week.

Federal Member for Bradfield, Nicolette Boele, said: “It’s critical when we recognise and we preserve cultural heritage. And to ensure that there is adequate arts infrastructure for our growing communities on the North Shore.”

State Member for Davidson Matt Cross said: “I thank all volunteers who are selfless in their work to promote culture and arts in Ku-ring-gai. I look forward to continuing my support for the group and I thank Marian St ACTION.”

Greens Senator David Shoebridge said: “I’ve experienced the love of live theatre at Marian Street Theatre and I 100% believe that opportunity needs to be there for future generations.”

Patron of Marian St Theatre Action and acclaimed playwright David Williamson said: “The design of the renovation is first-class, but the council keeps deferring a decision while approving expensive sports oval developments, demonstrating yet again where the arts rate in our national psyche.”

Marian St Theatre Action Committee member Tony Bates said: “The community did everything Council asked. We participated in consultation after consultation and were repeatedly assured these approved plans would be preserved. Instead, Councillors blindsided us all at the last minute. Put a shovel in the ground and get Marian St Theatre open.”

Rally in Red 12 – 2pm, Sunday 2 August 2026, outside Gordon Library, Gordon
RSVP: https://marianstaction.com.au/rally-in-red/

Sign the petition and find out more: marianstaction.com.au

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