Afleveringen
-
Gregg Arthur is an original voice who has learned from and performed with music industry giants all over the world. His warm baritone and huge range allows him to embrace an audience with a tender ballad and thrill with outstanding vocal acuity, but most of all it’s his emphasis on rhythm and phrasing that has brought him admiration from legends and critics everywhere.
Gregg started singing and playing piano at an early age, always loving the jazz standards from his grandmothers sheet music and listening to his father’s record collection. He gained professional stage experience working for Australian Opera in productions of Aida, Marriage of Figaro, The Merry Widow and more, during a classic era of Dame Joan Sutherland and Rita Hunter and met legendary actor and teacher Hayes Gordon during Fiddler On The Roof. With stage and acting coaching by Gordon and vocal training teacher Don Graden he soon knew how to perform a song with originality, confidence and knew how to own the stage.
He has always worked with and had great friendships with the very best musicians and orchestrators in the music industry. Performing with Don Burrows and George Golla, John Morrison and Swing City, Chair Of Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Craig Scott, Band leader and pianist Geoff Harvey, and Maestro Tommy Tycho with whom he recorded albums for ABC Music with a 50 piece orchestra.
In the USA Gregg Arthur has worked with and performed with Frank Sinatra’s pianist and conductor Vincent Falcone, Bobby Darin’s pianist and arranger Bob Rosario, and Sammy Davis Jr’s drummer Clayton Cameron. Over many years Gregg Arthur performed at Herb Alpert’s Bel Air venue Vibrato with bass legend Pat Senator of Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass, and pianist and arranger Tom Ranier.
Gregg Arthur has released 9 albums, 7 compilations and 2 EP’s. His latest album out now is Gregg Arthur In Concert The Great American Songbook. His reworking of Australian classic My City Of Sydney was released in October 2020.www.greggarthur.com
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Two of STAGES favourite Arts workers have recently returned from pilgrimages to London …. and have inhaled the smorgasbord of musical and play offerings playing on West End stages.
Publicist Ian Phipps and ‘Man-in-Chair’; Simon Parris, return to the STAGES podcast to share what they saw .. what they liked, what they didn’t …. and perhaps even to boast a little.
They provide first-hand insight of what we could expect, if finding ourselves in the Savoy, Dominion, National, Donmar, Old Vic or Barbican theatres over the coming months.
Simon Parris is a theatre reviewer based in Melbourne. His review blog ‘Man in Chair’ regularly reviews musicals, plays, opera and the arts. Access to these reviews can be found at simonparrismaninchair.com
Ian Phipps is one of Australia’s leading publicists, promoting theatre and its stars around Australia. If you know that a show is happening, no doubt it’s because Ian has communicated this to you via a myriad of masterful means.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Silvie Paladino has established herself as one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers.
Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role on the West End in the London production. In 1997, Silvie returned to London and performed the role of Fantine in Les Misérables for a successful two-year season.
Silvie’s other Australasian credits include the role of Jeannie in Hair, Grizabella in the Australian and Asian tour of Cats, Ellen in Cameron Mackintosh’s Australian premiere of Miss Saigon, Donna in the smash hit Mamma Mia!, Rita in the world premiere of Sideshow Alley, Lady Thiang in The King And I, Florence in Chess (Green Room Award and Helpmann nomination), Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, Helen Bechdel in MTC’s Fun Home and the Fairy Godmother, in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
She has performed as guest solo artist with Australia’s leading orchestras and has also toured with Patrizio Buanne and Michael Bolton. She has had the honour of performing with celebrated theatre composers Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Sondheim.
Silvie is also well known to Australian audiences through her performances at special events including the AFL Grand Final, NRL Grand Final, The Boxing Day Cricket Test, The Asia Pacific Special Olympics, The Olympic Dinner in Beijing, A Night with Roger Federer and Friends – and regular television appearances including Carols by Candlelight.
Her recordings include Silvie Paladino Sings Streisand (a live recording of her one-woman show for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award), Silvie Paladino – Christmas List, On My Own, When You Believe, O Holy Night and I Give You My Heart with the Salvation Army Band.
Silvie is currently playing the role of Norma Desmond at select performances in Opera Australia’s production of Sunset Boulevard.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
After originally studying double degrees in Law and Arts (Politics and Economics) at Monash University, Anton Berezin found success as an Actor, Producer, Writer and Director. He established his first Production Company in 1994.
He is known for his roles in commercial musical theatre productions for over 30 years, in celebrated productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Bridges of Madison County, Evita, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, The Producers, Cabaret, Fiddler of the Roof and Cats.
Anton was co-founder of Australasia's leader in live family entertainment; from humble beginnings, Life Like Touring and The Entertainment Store grew to become the third ranked (by sales volume) businesses of their kind globally. Anton's businesses were acquired by Australian entertainment behemoth, TEG, in 2016, with Anton staying on as Managing Director until October 2019.
The independent production company, Monstrous Theatre, is Anton’s next commercial venture, a production house he established with his wife and creative force, Theresa Borg.
Monstrous Theatre presents opera, musicals and plays, with coming attractions that include bold productions of You’re the Man at La Mama in Melbourne, Yentl at the Sydney Opera House and Anne Being Frank across the USA.
monstroustheatre.com.au
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Originally from Melbourne Australia, Benjamin Osborne made his stage debut in the original production of The Boy from Oz. This was followed by appearing in Shout - The Legend of the Wild One and the original Australian company of Mamma Mia! During his time there, he assumed the role of Dance Captain for the Australian and Asian tours.
Benjamin then took on the role of Dance Captain for the Australian production of Miss Saigon, where he later became the Resident Choreographer. He has since worked on the Korean, Dutch, Japanese, New York and U.K/European Tour productions as the Associate Choreographer.
Benjamin’s other credits include the 10th Anniversary production of Mamma Mia!, the Australian and New Zealand tours of Jersey Boys, and the Australian productions of The Addams Family and Disney’s Aladdin, all as Resident Choreographer.
Benjamin also choreographed the first Australian professional showings of both ‘Passion’ and ‘City of Angels’ for Lifelike Productions.
Benjamin and is presently the Resident Director for the Australian tour of Beauty and the Beast, guiding the inhabitants of the enchanted castle and nurturing the tale as old as time.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Ewan Campbell, Australia's No. 1 television warm-up artist, is the creator and founder of Stentorian Communications. He is an actor, director and presentation coach; a talented and multi-faceted performer, with vast experience in corporate training and facilitation, voice-overs, and MC roles.
Ewan has successfully written produced and facilitated presentations for a who's who of corporate Australia including IBM, Optus, Samsung, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Westpac, Telstra and McDonalds Australia. He was a founder and director of Instant Theatre, the first innovative impro training company using improvisational and theatrical techniques to provide a unique and different training experience.
Ewan Campbell is a sought after television warm-up comedian and his resume includes The Footy Show, Midday, Andrew Denton's Enough Rope, Australian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Master Chef, Junior Master Chef, The Biggest Loser and the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
He is also a first-rate improvisation (improv) comedy performer of many years' experience, regarded as one of the best improv comics in Australia. He has a long standing reputation for his ability to catch and hold even the most challenging audience!
Ewan competes in Impro’s gala event of the year … Celebrity TheatreSports™ on Sunday 25th August 4pm, at The Enmore Theatre, Newtown. Comedy magic for a cause: proudly supporting Canteen. Canteen supports young people (aged 12-25) when cancer turns their world upside down.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Rodney Fisher is a stage director who has worked in most major theatres in Australia and for all Australian theatre companies as well as Opera Australia, VSO, Bavarian State Opera, Royal Ballet London and Legs on the Wall. He has directed in England, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong and at the Spoleto Festival, Charleston, South Carolina. He has worked in dance, film, video and written several theatre pieces and screenplays.
Highlights include: The Bastard from the Bush (Robin Ramsay one man show), A Star is Torn – also wrote – (Robyn Archer), Master Class, My Fair Lady (Anthony Warlow and Suzanne Johnston) and Steaming (legendary Australian tour). Work for the Sydney Theatre Company includes: The Lady in the Van, Pentecost, The Rain Dancers, The Secret Rapture, and The Doll Trilogy.
Rodney was Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia from 1997 to 2000, directing The Department, Macbeth, The Idiot, Kafka Dances, Courtyard of Miracles, The Rose Tattoo and Twelfth Night.
Other credits include: Design for Living, Hay Fever (MTC); The Merry Widow (Ess Gee Productions); From Here to There (Legs on the Wall); A Winter’s Tale (QTC), Maria Stuarda, Lady Bracknell’s Confinement, Hello Dolly, My Darling It’s Noel, Shock of the New, La Traviata, A Violent Act (STC); Don John (SSO); and The Bookclub (Hit Productions/Ensemble theatre).
Rodney adapted, designed and directed Henry Purcell’s King Arthur for the 2016 Brisbane Baroque Festival, and directed the ACO production Barry Humphries' Weinmar Cabaret, starring his frequent collaborator, Meow Meow for its initial Australian season and its tour to London and North America.
Rodney Fisher is one of our master storytellers whose contributions to the theatre are substantial and of vital significance.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Rodney Fisher is a stage director who has worked in most major theatres in Australia and for all Australian theatre companies as well as Opera Australia, VSO, Bavarian State Opera, Royal Ballet London and Legs on the Wall. He has directed in England, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong and at the Spoleto Festival, Charleston, South Carolina. He has worked in dance, film, video and written several theatre pieces and screenplays.
Highlights include: The Bastard from the Bush (Robin Ramsay one man show), A Star is Torn – also wrote – (Robyn Archer), Master Class, My Fair Lady (Anthony Warlow and Suzanne Johnston) and Steaming (legendary Australian tour). Work for the Sydney Theatre Company includes: The Lady in the Van, Pentecost, The Rain Dancers, The Secret Rapture, and The Doll Trilogy.
Rodney was Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia from 1997 to 2000, directing The Department, Macbeth, The Idiot, Kafka Dances, Courtyard of Miracles, The Rose Tattoo and Twelfth Night.
Other credits include: Design for Living, Hay Fever (MTC); The Merry Widow (Ess Gee Productions); From Here to There (Legs on the Wall); A Winter’s Tale (QTC), Maria Stuarda, Lady Bracknell’s Confinement, Hello Dolly, My Darling It’s Noel, Shock of the New, La Traviata, A Violent Act (STC); Don John (SSO); and The Bookclub (Hit Productions/Ensemble theatre).
Rodney adapted, designed and directed Henry Purcell’s King Arthur for the 2016 Brisbane Baroque Festival, and directed the ACO production Barry Humphries' Weinmar Cabaret, starring his frequent collaborator, Meow Meow for its initial Australian season and its tour to London and North America.
Rodney Fisher is one of our master storytellers whose contributions to the theatre are substantial and of vital significance.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
In July we lost one of the pioneers of entertainment in Australia - Mr John Newman. We featured John in an episode recorded in March 2022.
John Newman is the savvy entrepreneur who pioneered the glory of theatre restaurant in Australia, with the establishment of the iconic Tikki & John’s in Melbourne. The venue fast became an institution in the city and a haven for a stellar cast of performers. With wife Tikki Taylor, he founded an entertainment dynasty spawning further theatre dining experiences such as Dracula’s, Cafe Crypt and Crazyhouse.
A Geelong boy, his parents were publicans. He was born to perform and garnered early experiences entertaining hotel guests. He joined the Geelong Musical Comedy Company, a flourishing amateur group whose members also included John’s brother Bill, Ernie Bourne and Barry Crocker. His success in comic and singing roles with that company, prompted him to embark on show business as a profession.
He joined an outfit calling itself, rather ambitiously The South Pacific Film and Television Company, which planned to hit the high spots with a grand tour of Victorian country areas. The variety show, in which John did comedy, magic and his impressions of Groucho Marx and other stars of the day, played Geelong, Colac and Camperdown. He was next a member of the Blind Institute Concert Party, which performed everywhere in Victoria in one - and - two night stands, raising money for the institute. John stayed with the unit for two years, and then he left to go into the chorus of the J. C. Williamson Song of Norway.
The run of Song of Norway was followed by a revival of Annie Get Your Gun, with Evie Hayes and Hayes Gordon, and John then went into the chorus of South Pacific, where he met Joyce Taylor (Tikki),
Tikki Taylor had studied dancing at the Jenny Brennan Academy and appeared on stage for the first time in a juvenile role in Blue Mountain Melody, an Australian musical which starred Cyril Ritchard and Madge Elliott. After pursuing a classical ballet career she joined J.C. Williamson’s as a show dancer, her first show being The Desert Song with Max Oldaker. Then followed Rose Marie, White Horse Inn, No, No, Nanette, The Girl Friend, Follow The Girls and Oklahoma, in which she understudied three roles, eventually playing the lead comedienne, Ado Annie.
John and Tikki combined both their professional and private lives working in the same shows. They formed an act and toured it through the U.K. for eighteen months with top Australian magician The Great Levant covering England, Scotland and Wales. After that, they toured the U.S. Army bases in Europe.
Back in London they saw the latest American musical hit The Pajama Game, and John knew that Tikki would be perfect for the comedy-dancing role of Gladys Hotchkiss. They rushed back to Australia and with the support of choreographer Betty Pounder and stage director Ian Roberts, Tikki managed to persuade the JCW management that it was not necessary to import an American actress for the role. This seminal production embraced an all-Australian company including Toni Lamond, Jill Perryman and John’s brother Bill Newman.
John worked in the chorus of The Pajama Game and joined Tikki in subsequent productions of Can-Can, For Amusement Only and Grab Me A Gondola. Tikki and John raised a family, pursued television appearances and then Tikki made a comeback to the stage as Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly.
Television claimed John for a while guided by the famous American entrepreneur Larry K. Nixon; then a stint as Victorian manager for NLT Productions, and producer of The Ray Taylor Show on ATV0 in its early days. John was later Company manager for the Moscow Circus before he and Tikki made their decision to go into the restaurant business.
John Newman was 94 years old, and passed away peacefully on Sunday the 28th of July 2024 in Melbourne. Condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and co-stars!
-
John Bell has been named by the National Trust of Australia as one of ‘Australia’s Living Treasures.’ Born in Maitland, NSW, in 1940, he is a theatre polymath whose work has shaped the evolution of a distinct Australian theatre.
Educated at University of Sydney, Bell acted in university theatre and made his professional debut in 1963 in the Old Tote Theatre Company’s inaugural production, The Cherry Orchard. In 1964 he was a sensational Henry V, with Anna Volska as Katherine, in an innovative Adelaide Festival tent presentation. The Sydney Morning Herald called him ‘a possible Olivier of the future’.
After training with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Bell joined The Royal Shakespeare Company for four years and was made an Associate Artist. He returned to Sydney in 1970 as Head of Acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. That same year he produced the landmark Australian musical burlesque The Legend of King O’Malley and co-founded the Nimrod Theatre Company. He was its artistic director, director and principal actor until 1985.
At Nimrod Bell presented many significant Australian plays, such as David Williamson’s Travelling North, The Club and The Removalists, Peter Kenna’s A Hard God, Jim McNeil’s How Does Your Garden Grow and Ron Blair’s The Christian Brothers. Other highlights included a dramatic adaptation of Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, The Venetian Twins, an Australian musical based on the Goldoni classic, and the Bernstein musical Candide. Bell also introduced a distinctive Australian Shakespeare style, with memorable productions of Measure for Measure, Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth.
In 1989 Bell played the Duke in Big River, his first major role in a musical. Shortly after this he was invited by the late Tony Gilbert, a Shakespeare-loving philanthropist, to establish a national touring organisation presenting Shakespeare in a popular style.
The Bell Shakespeare Company was launched in 1990 with Hamlet and The Merchant Of Venice (with Bell as Shylock), followed by Richard 3 (with Bell in the title role) and Romeo And Juliet. Thirty-four years on, the company is a vital presence in the national theatre landscape.
John Bell is a font of knowledge and anecdote and what a privilege to access a bit of that in this enthralling episode of the STAGES podcast.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Angela Punch McGregor graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1974. Her early roles were in a renaissance period of Australian cinema, with lauded performances that garnered her a slew of AFI Awards, for the films The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, Newsfront, and Annie’s Coming Out.
Her career continued in numerous television production and stage roles, working for most of the country’s main-stage theatre companies.
Angela’s television credits include Mary - The Making of a Princess, Love My Way, Rafferty’s Rules, Halifax, All Saints, White Collar Blue, and Home & Away. Further film work includes We of the Never Never, Savages Crossing, The Delinquents, Spotswood, Tom White, Ash Wednesday and Runt.
Celebrated turns in the theatre includes A Streetcar Named Desire (Blanche), Festen (Else), Long Days Journey Into Night (Mary Tyrone), Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll (Pearl), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Marquise de Merteuil), Great Expectations (Miss Havisham), The Odd Couple (Female version opposite Pamela Stephenson) Romeo & Juliet (opposite Mel Gibson), Up For Grabs (Felicity), Blackrock (Diane) and Othello (Desdemona).
Angela is a respected mentor and teacher, guiding young artists to a career on stage and screen. She held the position of Lecturer in Acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts from 2006-2014. Further teaching has been at NIDA, The Actor’s Centre Sydney and the Actor’s Hub Perth.
As a Counsellor, her new venture is with the online resource; Soul Repair - a home for counselling, community and care. A space to foster continuity and growth.
Angela Punch McGregor joins STAGES to reflect on her brilliant career thus far, and the journey ahead.
https://www.soulrepair.com.au
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au -
James Elazzi is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and director.
His plays have been nominated in the NSW Premier's Literary Award three years consecutively, shortlisted twice in the Rodney Seaborn Award, four time award winner in the Sydney Theatre Awards and is a three time Silver Gull Playwriting Award Nominee.
James' sold out theatre stage plays include Son of Byblos (Belvoir St Theatre 25A), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre of Parramatta), Queen Fatima (National Theatre of Parramatta) and Omar and Dawn (KXT).
In 2023-2024, James wrote, directed and produced his second short film about Lebanese migration, Seeds of Gold. In 2022, James directed and produced his short film Yannis which has officially been selected in more than 17 Film Festivals around the world including Los Angeles, Poland, Lebanon, Greece and Italy. It has since won Best Performances in the 2022 LGBTQI+ Los Angeles Film Festival and nominated 7 times in the Made in The West Film Festival, including best director and screenplay, winning best Lead Actor.
James was Assistant Director on Holding the Man (2024 Belvoir St Theatre). His new work, Karim, opens in July at Parramatta Riverside Theatres.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au -
Born in 1936, acclaimed Architect Vivian Fraser passed away in 2021. His name may not be immediately recognisable, but this Master Architect left a legacy that continues to reward the Arts community and their audiences.
On his tombstone he jested that he would like the epitaph to read, “ … he provided simple answers to difficult problems.”
It would seem that this mantra would never be better tested than in crafting a design for a working theatre - considering aesthetic, safety, functionality and longevity, for temples that harbour community and celebrate humanity.
Vivian Fraser (1936–) was educated in Newcastle, where he practised independently before arriving in Sydney in 1965. He first worked as the associate of Douglas Snelling (1965-66) and then worked for Ancher Mortlock Murray and Woollley. Commencing in 1975, he operated an independent practice, mainly designing award-winning theatres and houses,
Vivian Fraser’s most remarkable project was renovations to a cargo shed at Walsh Bay. Premier Neville Wran’s foresight to commence a State Theatre Company in NSW meant that a location was required which would house the many needs of a theatre company - auditorium, foyer, workshops, stage, administration, rehearsal rooms etc. Pier 4-5, was discovered in a wide search of Sydney - a derelict wharf in Walsh Bay which had lied dormant for 30 years; it housed zillions of pigeons, both alive and dead. And so, commenced the development of what would become a vital arts precinct.
Viv’s theatre legacy extends to other venues in NSW - the Belvoir Theatre in Surry Hills, the Australia Council office refurbishment in Redfern and the Kings School Theatre in Parramatta.
Viv’s daughter Sharon, also an Architect, joined STAGES to remember and celebrate the work of Vivian Fraser. It is a fascinating history. Hopefully this conversation enables his name to become as instantly recognisable as the theatres he conceived.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au -
Fabian Aloise’s choreography has been critically acclaimed and has garnered multiple nominations including two Olivier Award Nominations for Best Theatre Choreographer, WhatsOnStage Award for Best Choreography, Stage Debut Award for Best Creative West End Debut and the Off West End Award “OFFIE” (winner). Recently he was also listed as one of The Stage 100 - a definitive list of theatre's most influential artists.
Originally born in Canada to proud immigrant parents, Fabian moved to Melbourne, Australia at an early age to train in classical ballet and contemporary dance at The Victorian College of the Arts on a full scholarship. Fabian's career spans Australia, Europe, the United States, Asia and London's West End performing in shows including West Side Story, Cats, Chicago, Fosse, We Will Rock You, Fame, Legally Blonde.Most recently, Fabian choreographed Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre) for the Jamie Lloyd Company, In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse), The Spongebob Musical (Southbank Centre & UK Tour), Cabaret by Kander and Ebb at the LIDO 2 in Paris.
He is Co-director and choreographer for Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder for Francesca Moody Productions (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022/ 23, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Home), choreographer for the first non-replica production of Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked in Germany, Bring It On - The Musical (UK), Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Kander and Ebb’s The Rink at Southwark Playhouse starring Caroline O'Connor, Our House (UK Tour), The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre), Madagascar The Musical (UK/Asia/Australia/New Zealand), Working (Southwark Playhouse), On The Town (BBC Proms Royal Albert Hall) and The 24 Hour Musical (Old Vic).
Associate choreographic credits include Matilda (UK tour/West End - Associate choreographer/Resident choreographer for Peter Darling, Australian premier company - Associate choreographer), We Will Rock You (European productions - Associate choreographer to Arlene Phillips) and Fame (UK national tour - Assistant choreographer to Karen Bruce).One of Fabian’s career highlights was working alongside theatre legend Ann Reinking as associate choreographer on Fosse (USA and international tours) and he continues to be inspired by the legacy of Fosse/Verdon.
On September 28th he commences previews in New York with the Jaimie Lloyd Company’s transfer of Sunset Boulevard to the Broadway stage; eagerly anticipating his sublime choreographic work being embraced on the Great White Way.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au -
Melanie is a writer for stage and screen with a proven track record in Australia and the UK.
Her first play The Vegemite Tales won critical and popular acclaim, playing eight years in London, including two years on the West End. Melanie then trained as a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, where she worked for twelve years across radio, podcasting and television.
Her next play The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race premiered at the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney in March 2019 and toured nationally in 2021. The play has been programmed right around Australia and New Zealand including at the State Theatre Company of South Australia and productions at Queensland Theatre and The Court Theatre in Christchurch. Melanie also adapted the play into a feature film with EQ Media, writing the screenplay for The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race.
She has 5 plays under commission at Melbourne Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney Festival and Blue Cow Theatre Tasmania and is developing an original tv series with Screen Tasmania and Next Gen Productions. She is also at various stages of development on a slew of screen projects.
Melanie’s play A Broadcast Coup, opened in 2023 at Ensemble Theatre as part of Sydney Festival. Here next, The Queen’s Nanny, will open at Ensemble Theatre in September, and is touring nationally in 2025.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved, award-winning actors, presenters and entertainers. His incredible and varied career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally.
The successful film Kenny brought Shane world-wide recognition in 2006 as well as an AFI Award for best lead actor. Shane’s subsequent credits include Cactus, Charlie & Boots, the animated Santa’s Apprentice, Surviving Georgia and Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy, the hugely popular Oddball, The Dressmaker and, more recently, The BBQ, That’s Not My Dog!, Guardians of the Tomb, Brothers’ Nest, Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black, The Very Excellent Mr Dundee and Never Too Late.
As a TV host, presenter and actor, Shane’s appearances have been numerous and varied. Some of his shows have included hosting and presenting at the Australian Film Institute Awards, Top Gear Australia, The Great Australian Bake Off, The Logies, Little Big Shots, Australia Now & Then and Inside Central Station, as well as telemovies Beaconsfield, The Mystery of the Hansom Cab and Jack Irish, to roles in TV series like Kenny’s World, The Time of Our Lives, Fat Tony & Co, Open Slather, The Real Full Monty, The All New Monty, Australia’s Got Talent, AACTA Awards host, The All New Monty: Guys & Gals and Australia Now & Then host.
Shane’s stage career has been just as successful. On stage, he has received a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role for ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls. Some of Shane’s other on-stage roles include The Drowsy Chaperone, QI Live, 8 The Play, Shane Warne – The Musical, Mother & Son, The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray and Midnight: The Cinderella Musical.
As an author, Shane has penned his best-selling bio The Long Road to Overnight Success and most recently his exploration of his life as a motoring tragic in his second book, Rev Head.
Shane also is a passionate producer of film, television and events, having recently produced The West Gate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories documentary, the TV show ManSpace, That’s Not My Dog! Comedy Festival, The Roast of Paul Hogan and The Australian Roast of John Cleese.
He is presently starring in the Sydney season of Neil Simon’s award winning play The Odd Couple with Todd McKenney.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
To celebrate the 500 milestone we give you a highlights package - just a few of the stand-out moments from 7 years of the STAGES podcast.
It is by no means ALL of the wonderful moments, but just a few that stand out for me - joyous moments along the way.
The podcast has featured on-stage and off-stage roles from a variety of genres - Musical theatre, Theatre, Dance, Opera, Vaudeville, Drag, Television, Film, Variety and Arts Education have all been explored.
We’ve celebrated shows - such as the 40th Anniversary of the Australian production of CHICAGO (w Nancye Hayes & Geraldine Turner) and 50 years on THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in Oz. And we chronicled the evolution of new shows, in documentations of Noelle Janaczewska’s THE END OF WINTER - and Robyn Kennedy’s commission for World Pride - CAMP - both produced by Siren Theatre Company and directed by Kate Gaul.
We’ve featured a TONY Awards episode each year - and looked at the highlights from Broadway and The West End with regular theatre pilgrims Iain Phipps and Simon Parris.
We’ve talked to creatives and performers commencing their careers (our youngest guests have been George Holahan-Cantwell and Ryan Yeates, who were sharing the role of Charlie Bucket in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) and we’ve applauded our industry elders - our oldest guest being Lee Young at 93.
We’ve recorded conversations with 16 Drag performers, featuring them in a series during World Pride.
We’ve profiled the roles of Stage Door, Photography, Agent, Opera chorister and Scenic Design with Stage Door Johnny, David Hooley, Sonya Marturano, Jenifer Eddy, Mark Morrisey, Katherine Wiles, Stella Ginsberg and Rod Clarke.
We’ve recalled the careers and contributions of the great Gloria Dawn with her daughter Donna Lee ….. the legacy of Architect Vivian Fraser with his daughter Sharon … and the enormous contribution to Musical theatre in Australia from Betty Pounder with Kevin Coxhead.
We’ve profiled artists during the Covid lockdowns and how they navigated their way through it.
We’ve recorded with the practitioners - Dr Richard Walley, Wesley Enoch, Eva Grace Mullaley and Lisa Maza detailing the evolution of indigenous theatre in Australia.
We’ve documented the History of seminal theatre companies including JC Williamson's, Garnett Carroll, The Ensemble Theatre, the Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Nimrod, Kookaburra Musical Theatre, The Old Tote, Jane Street and the Pram Factory.We’ve examined the craft with screen writers and playwrights Joanna Murray-Smith, Danny Ball, Dr Grace Barnes, David Williamson, Melanie Tait, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Barry Dickins, Jordan Shea, Tommy Murphy, Laneikka Denne, David Sale, Tony Sattler, David Mitchell, John-Michael Howson, and Barry Creyton
We’ve saluted Australians making big waves on global theatre stages - Carmel Dean, Fabian Aloise, Kaye Tuckerman, Michaeljon Slinger, Neil Gooding, Yve Blake, David Harris, and Daniel Assetta, to name but a few.
We’ve looked at actor training with staff from key institutions such as NIDA, WAAPA, VCA and The Actor’s Centre. And championed the work of Drama teachers in secondary schools and at State Theatre companies.
We’ve hooked 'big fish' …. like Lyricist Sir Tim Rice, Composer Stephen Flaherty, Director Francesca Zambello, Maestro Richard Bonynge, and Broadway performers Ruthie Henshall, Robbie Fairchild, Michael Misita, Andy Karl, and Stephanie Beecham.
And each year we’ve concluded the season with a Christmas episode featuring regulars Kate Fitzpatrick, Rhonda Burchmore, Geraldine Turner and Ron Creager.
And sadly we’ve also preserved precious story from artists who have passed since recording - and to them I’d like to dedicate this episode - Rod Dunbar, Michael Falzon, Kevin Jackson, Maureen Howard, Tony Geappen, Keith Robinson, Lee Young, Frank van Straten, Jacqueline Dark, Lisle Jones, and Martin McCallum.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts.
-
To celebrate reaching this milestone of 500 … the podcast will be dropping an episode a day for the next week.
It’s a stellar line up and I cannot wait to share each episode with you.
Episode 502 is a highlights package featuring some of my favourite moments from the seven seasons of the show.
Episode 503 features funny man and all round nice guy Shane Jacobson, currently on stage in Sydney in Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE.
In Episode 504 we talk with Playwright Melanie Tait. Her new play THE QUEEN’S NANNY takes to the stage in September at The Ensemble Theatre.
For Episode 505 I was thrilled to talk with Australian choreographer Fabian Aloise. Fabian has recently opened his first show in the West End theatre district of London as Director, with the musical KATHY & STELLA SOLVE A MURDER.
Fabian is also the choreographer for the exciting new take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SUNSET BOULEVARD. The production directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Nicole Scherzinger won 7 Olivier awards and opens on Broadway in October.
Next up in Episode 506, it was my privilege and honour to celebrate the legacy of Theatre architect Vivian Fraser with his daughter Sharon. Viv is the man responsible for designs of the Belvoir street theatre and the development of the Wharf 4/5 theatre precinct in Walsh bay. It is an extraordinary legacy and I know this chat will inform and fascinate.
Concluding the week with episode 507 is playwright James Elazzi who also opens a new show on July 27th - KARIM which will play at Parramatta Riverside theatre for the National Theatre of Paramatta.
But for this episode - 501, I’d like to take you back to STAGES very first episode in April 2018. I was beyond thrilled when the legendary Toni Lamond keenly accepted my invitation. A woman of firsts, it seemed inevitable that she’d have to be first guest on a podcast that has now made it to 500!
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au -
After many requests and prompts, I’ve given in. The A-listers were not available for this milestone episode of the STAGES podcast, so you get me in the chair.
But who to fire the questions and prod the guest? There was only one person in my mind; longtime listener and champion of all things theatre, Mark Humphries.
The talented Mr Humphries is urbane, informed and care personified. What else could one ask for?
And yes!!! It is an old headshot. I know. It’s from the attic!
Thankyou Mark. And thank you listeners. Episode 500! Here we go!
Peter Eyers is a graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He is presently the Head of Drama at an Independent School in Sydney.
Peter is a passionate advocate for the Arts in education and a keen proponent of Australia’s rich Arts heritage. These qualities have contributed to the evolution of the STAGES podcast and a quest to record oral histories from the artists, the creatives and the ancillary roles that have contributed so vividly to what we relish on stages and screens.
As producer and host, he features an array of guests that range from the elders who rightly wear the mantle of legend and star, to the emerging talents, set to shape and define the content of the future.
As an actor his work has encompassed theatre, television and film. Theatre roles include My Fair Lady (WA Music Theatre Company), The Judgement of Paris (Hole in the Wall, Perth), Winnie the Pooh & The Magic Faraway Tree (Garry Ginivan Attractions), How To Succeed In Business Without ReallyTrying (The Production Company), The Voyage of Mary Bryant (Ensemble Theatre),The Wizard of Oz (Gordon Frost Organisation), An Ideal Husband directed by Sir Peter Hall (Gordon Frost Organisation), Fallen Angels (Downstairs Belvoir), La Cage aux Folles (Miranda MS), Rope (Bondi Pavilion), On Golden Pond (The Actor’s Company), and Privates on Parade, Harvest, Australia Day & The Real Thing (The New Theatre).
His screen credits include Home & Away, Farscape, Backberner, Water Rats and Danny Deckchair.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
-
One of Australia’s most respected actors, Nadine Garner’s career has spanned film, television and theatre for more than 30 years.
Nadine recently performed on stage in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s The Almighty Sometimes and Belvoir’s production of Tell Me I’m Here to rave reviews. Her recent screen credits include the ABC crime drama series Savage River and Scott Major’s debut feature film Darklands which premiered on Stan.
Nadine’s other television credits include the Network 10/Channel 5 (UK) series Lie With Me, the Stan original series Bloom, My Life Is Murder and Mr Black for Network 10, The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories Telemovie for the Seven Network, ABC’s The Doctor Blake Mysteries, the Seven Network drama City Homicide, ABC comedy It’s A Date, Blue Water High, The Henderson Kids, G.P, The Flying Doctors, Boys From The Bush, and RAW FM for which she was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama.
Nadine’s feature film credits include Ben Hackworth’s debut feature Celeste which premiered at the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival, Ana Kokkinos’ The Book Of Revelation, Darren Ashton’s Razzle Dazzle and Amanda Jane’s The Wedding Party, which earned her a New York City International Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1988, Nadine received an AFI Award for Best Actress for her role in Mull and in 1995, she received a Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Supporting Actress and an AFI Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in Metal Skin.
Nadine has worked for many of Australia’s theatre companies performing both contemporary and classical pieces including The Lifespan of a Fact which earned her a Green Room Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance , Emerald City (co-production with QT), Photograph 51, Di and Viv and Rose, The Distance, The Weir, Private Lives, The Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard for MTC; A Little Night Music for Watch This National Theatre; Zebra! and Life After George for STC; Miss Julie for Perth Theatre Company; Romeo & Juliet and Taming of the Shrew for The Australian Shakespeare Company. She starred in Sam Mendes’ production of Cabaret and received a Helpmann Award and Green Room Award for her performance as Fraulein Kost.
In 2011, Nadine wrote and directed the short film Afterglow which was nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Screenplay.
Nadine returns to the Musical stage in July for William Finn’s Elegies, being presented at 45 Downstairs in Melbourne. In August she is in Sydney making her Opera House debut in a unique presentation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au
- Laat meer zien
