Variety Hour: Queensland’s Brightest Young Performers Take Centre Stage

Feature-Variety Hour: A New Era of Family Entertainment

Magic, music, acrobatics and a juggling finale; Variety Hour packs plenty into its 60 minutes. Bringing emerging Queensland talent together with experienced entertainers, this family-friendly production celebrates the many forms live performance can take. Performer and producer William Piper shares what audiences can expect and the moment he most looks forward to on stage.

About The Show – Variety Hour: A New Era of Family Entertainment

What is this show about?

Variety Hour is a fast-paced, family-friendly live variety production designed to bring together an exciting mix of entertainment styles, performers and personalities for one unforgettable hour.

How would you describe this show to someone who has never seen anything like it before?

I’d describe Variety Hour as an exciting, fast-paced celebration of live entertainment that brings together some of Queensland’s brightest emerging young performers. The idea is to give every performer their own moment in the spotlight, showcasing their individual talents while creating something bigger as an ensemble. Combining magic, juggling, comedy, music, acrobatics, vocals and dance, the show offers something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong theatre lover or experiencing live variety entertainment for the first time. At its heart, *Variety Hour* is about celebrating the next generation of talent and giving young artists the opportunity to shine in a professional theatre environment alongside experienced entertainers.

William Piper

What is the moment in the show you most look forward to performing?

For me, it’s the juggling finale. As both a performer and the producer of the show, it’s a really special moment because it brings everything together after months of planning, rehearsals and hard work

What is the element of the show that is hardest to explain but unmissable in person?

I think it’s the energy and unpredictability of having so many different art forms come together in one show. One moment you’re watching a magic trick, the next you’re seeing an incredible acrobatic routine or a young vocalist taking centre stage. There’s a real sense of excitement in not knowing what’s coming next, and the audience gets to experience each performer’s personality and passion up close

Who is this show for? Who is going to have the time of their life?

Variety Hour is for the whole family, from young children experiencing the magic of live theatre for the first time to parents, grandparents and anyone who loves being entertained. If you enjoy incredible talent, laugh-out-loud moments, jaw-dropping tricks and the excitement of not knowing what’s coming next, there’s something here for you.

Our thanks to William for giving us a glimpse behind the curtain. With its changing pace and mix of personalities, Variety Hour invites families to discover a new favourite act and enjoy the surprises along the way. For William, that finale also marks the culmination of months of work; a moment to celebrate everyone who helped bring the show to life.

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Little Anastasia Cast Members Revealed For Hit Broadway Musical Anastasia’s Brisbane Premiere

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Producers of the hit Broadway musical ANASTASIA have today revealed the talented young Queensland performers who will be sharing the role of Little Anastasia in the highly anticipated musical opening this month at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre.

The local Queensland performers who scored the coveted role amongst many keen auditionees are Eva Boldery (10 years old), Kalina Kita (9 years old), Harvey Rose McClelland (9 years old) and Holly Murray (10 years old).

These hugely talented young performers will join cast members Georgina Hopson as Anya, Robert Tripolino as charming con artist Dmitry, Joshua Robson in the role of antagonist Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, the much-loved Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily and theatre icon Nancye Hayes AM in the role of the Dowager Empress.

The ensemble cast includes Sophia Bae, Elliot Baker, Nicholas Cunningham, Davis Giotopoulos Moore, Todd Goddard, Matthew Jenson, Stephanie Kurlow, Bella Minniti, Simon Plant, Nathan Stafford, Alexis Van Maanen, Patrick Volpe, Annie Wilson, Deone Zanotto and Andrea Zappacosta with the Swings team featuring Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Iosefa Laga’aia, Nathan Pinnell and Emma Russell.

Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film of the same name, ANASTASIA has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

ANASTASIA is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Directed by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak, ANASTASIA premiered on Broadway in March 2017. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a Musical and won more than 15 major international awards including Best Musical awards in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

The book for ANASTASIA was written by the late five-time Tony Award winning writer Terrence McNally, whose credits include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime.

Music and lyrics for ANASTASIA were written by the renowned writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens who have been referred to as “one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history.” (Chicago Tribune).

“Fantastical, intelligent, well-crafted, and exhilarating, ANASTASIA deserves a coronation!” – The Wall Street Journal

“Captivating, beautifully staged and emotionally vital. ANASTASIA hits the sweet spot!” – The Hollywood Reporter

“One of the most gorgeous shows in years! Luscious, lavish, and a joy that leaves you cheering. This is a grandiloquent feast for the senses you won’t soon forget.” – The New York Observer

Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane from 16 September to 18 October 2026

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Actor Presence & Vocal Technique With Laura Field

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Hummingbird Theatre Company (HTC) is partnering once again with Cambridge based voice and communication specialist Laura Field to present Actor Presence & Vocal Technique, a live online professional development workshop for actors on Saturday 5 September 2026.

Following the success of HTC and Field’s previous online workshops, the new session focuses specially on the actor’s voice and the relationship between vocal technique, physical freedom and performance.

The practical workshop will explore three areas: Breath & Focus; Physical Ease & Balance; and Presence, Projection & Expression. Participants will work with breath and vocal release, physical tension and vocal flexibility, and the use of resonance, texture, articulation and projection to communicate character, text and emotion.

Actors are encouraged to bring a monologue, audition piece, script extract or other material they are currently preparing, allowing techniques to be applied directly to their own performance practice. Workshop texts will also be provided.

HTC CEO and Artistic Director Rhys Becks said the workshop builds on the company’s commitment to providing practical development opportunities for performers.

“Our previous collaborations with Laura demonstrated just how valuable focused voice work can be. Voice is integral to performance, and this workshop gives actors an opportunity to explore how projection, articulation, physical freedom and emotional expression work together, before applying those ideas directly to text and performance.”

Field has more than two decades of experience helping people develop clarity, confidence and presence in how they speak. She holds a Master’s in Professional Voice Practice from Birmingham School of Acting, a Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of Shakespeare in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and a Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring.

Delivered live via Zoom, the workshop is open to actors worldwide, with places limited to 12 participants to encourage active participation and individual engagement.

EVENT DETAILS
Actor Presence & Vocal Technique | Laura Field
Saturday 5 September 2026 | 4.30 pm AEST / 7.30 am BST
Live via Zoom | Open worldwide | $55 AUD | Limited to 12 participants
More information and bookings: https://shorturl.at/p8uMA

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