Today, iconic international magician Dynamo has announced a surprise visit to Australia where he is set to shock the nation by exposing an illusion believed by Australian households nationwide.
Returning to Australia for the first time in more than a decade, Dynamo will trade sold-out arenas for an unexpected Sydney neighbourhood, delivering an exclusive performance with B&D Garage Doors on Wednesday, 26 August.
Alongside his signature mind-blowing magic, fans will witness Dynamo expose an everyday illusion believed by Australian households nationwide—one that has remained hidden in plain sight until now.
“I can’t wait to head back to Australia this month, but this time with an illusion that isn’t happening on stage,” said Dynamo.
“It’s something many Australian households encounter every day without even realising it. Once it’s revealed, it will challenge what Australians currently believe to be true.”
While the exact Sydney location remains under wraps and details of the illusion are being closely guarded, Australians will have the opportunity to witness the performance firsthand, with a limited number of tickets available to win.
For the chance to witness Dynamo’s only Australian performance, visit www.bnd.com.au.
Dynamo’s appearance comes hot on the heels of filming his upcoming series, Dynamo vs. Houdini, which marks the 100-year anniversary of Harry Houdini’s passing and explores what the legendary escape artist might attempt if he were alive today.
Stoddart Entertainment Group is proud to announce the commissioning of a new Australian musical, Clancy of the Outback, for development. Renowned for staging productions such as The Play That Goes Wrong, Evil Dead The Musical, and Heathers The Musical, the company will present this uniquely Australian story exploring identity, family, community, and acceptance through a uniquely Australian lens. The production is scheduled for its premiere in 2027.
The production is based on Phil Kettle and Bob Andersen’s beloved children’s book series, Clancy of the Outback, which drew its inspiration from Clancy of the Overflow, one of Banjo Paterson’s most famous poems, which is told from the perspective of an urban dweller who encounters the legendary drover and shearer, Clancy, and comes to long for the idealized pleasures of his outback lifestyle.
This original, one-act theatrical adventure will bring one of Australia’s most iconic children’s outback heroes to the stage, creating a fresh homegrown production that promises to captivate both young audiences and families.
Stoddart Entertainment Group CEO/Producer Daniel Stoddart said, “Australian stories deserve to be told on our stages, especially for young audiences. Clancy is adventurous, funny and deeply heartfelt, but what excites me most is that it doesn’t talk down to children. It treats them as intelligent, thoughtful audiences and invites families to experience all the hallmarks of a full-scale musical together.”
“At a time of significant change for Australia’s theatre industry, we’re incredibly proud to be investing in new Australian musical theatre. Original work is the lifeblood of our industry, and Australian stories deserve to be created by Australian artists and shared with audiences across the country. Clancy of the Outback is more than a new production – it’s an investment in Australian creativity, in emerging talent, and in the future of home-grown musical theatre.”
The production will feature book and lyrics crafted by an all Australian team led by Green Room Award-nominated writer Dylan Marshall, with an original score by Earl Marrows, a celebrated Australian composer and alumnus of New York University’s esteemed TISCH School of the Arts.
Writer/Lyricist Dylan Marshall said, “Clancy is a story about finding where you belong. While it’s wrapped in adventure and humour, at its heart it’s about connection – to people, to place and to community. Those themes feel incredibly relevant today.”
Composer Earl Marrows added, “The score draws inspiration from the Australian landscape itself. We wanted the music to feel big-hearted, emotional and distinctly Australian while still delivering the excitement, humour and spectacle audiences expect from musical theatre.”
Bursting with humour, heart and thirteen original songs, Clancy of the Outback will follow a city kid who finds himself thrust into the heart of regional Australia. At The Overflow Station, Clancy learns to fit in with the lively dust-covered community, raises a baby kangaroo, discovers the beauty and hardship of life in the outback, and faces an environmental emergency that challenges his courage, resilience and sense of belonging.
The production forms part of Stoddart Entertainment Group’s ongoing commitment to championing Australian stories and investing in the future of new Australian musical theatre.
Further details, including premiere dates, creative team and casting, will be announced in the coming months.
An extraordinary community fundraising campaign has forced Ku-ring-gai Council back to the table in a last-ditch bid to save Marian St Theatre.
After more than 250 residents attended Rally in Red on Sunday, 215 supporters have contributed more than $76,000 towards the $100,000 needed to preserve the approved architectural plans for Marian St Theatre before they expire on 19 August.
In response to the campaign, Ku-ring-gai Council has called an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for next Monday to consider rescinding its previous decision to abandon the project and instead undertake the urgent works needed to preserve the approved plans.
Marian St Theatre Action Chair Jessica Blaxland Ashby said the response had been extraordinary. “On Sunday we rallied because we were angry. In just three days, the community has raised more than $76,000 and forced Council back to the table.”
“If we can raise the remaining funds, Councillors have the opportunity to reverse their previous decision and preserve the only approved pathway to reopening Marian St Theatre.”
The emergency campaign was launched after Council voted on 16 June to allow the approved architectural plans to expire. If the plans are lost, campaigners say more than 20 years of consultation, design work and planning, together with $1.7 million of public investment, will be wasted, and reopening Marian St Theatre would be delayed by another decade – or lost altogether. Due to the EGM announcement, the fundraiser has been extended from Thursday to Sunday.
The approved redevelopment, designed by leading theatre architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, would transform Marian St Theatre into a contemporary arts centre with spaces for theatre, music, dance, exhibitions and community events.
All donations will be tax-deductible and will be refunded if Council ultimately decides not to preserve the approved plans.
Blaxland Ashby said the campaign had demonstrated the depth of community support. “The community has been extraordinary. Hundreds rallied. Thousands have signed the petition.”
“But we’re not there yet. We still need the remaining funds before the end of Sunday.”
The campaign has attracted widespread community support following Sunday’s Rally in Red, which brought together performers, families, community leaders and artists in a sea of red outside Gordon Library.
Davidson MP Matt Cross reiterated his support for preserving Marian St Theatre both at the rally and in a speech today in state parliament, and encouraged signatures to the petition to the NSW Parliament. Federal Member for Bradfield Nicolette Boele described Marian St Theatre as “a clear case where, rather than building new infrastructure from scratch, we can step in now to preserve and revitalise the spaces that already exist.”
Blaxland Ashby thanked all the generous donors. “If Council won’t save Marian St Theatre, we, the community, will.”
Discover the next generation of Japan’s thriving jazz scene with Japan Jazz Nights, a touring jazz program that will take place in seven Australian cities in October 2026. Touring Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, this exciting lineup features four groundbreaking Japanese artists at the forefront of the contemporary jazz scene: BIGYUKI, STEREO CHAMP, Tenors In Chaos and Misaki UMEI.
While Japanese jazz has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity worldwide, the current generation of contemporary Japanese jazz artists remain largely undiscovered by global audiences.
Featuring solo shows, group performances, collaborations with local Australian artists and more, Japan Jazz Nights gives Australians the rare chance to experience firsthand the creativity, diversity and vitality of Japan’s contemporary jazz scene.
Presented by The Japan Foundation (JF), Japan Jazz Nights is being held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. Through the universal language of music, this initiative aims to foster meaningful connections between Japan and Australia and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
For both longtime jazz lovers and newcomers to the genre, Japan Jazz Nights is an unmissable opportunity to experience these musical icons, as they showcase the beauty of their craft and shape the future sound of modern jazz.
Further performance details to be announced mid-August.
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