Jade Kops - Page 56

The Australian Shakespeare Company's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS is a wonderful family afternoon in the park with Kenneth Grahame's classic characters.

BAILA BRAZIL blends the primal tribal beats of Africa with the passion of the colourful streets of Brazil and the sultry melodies of South America in this exciting night of Afro-Brazilian dance and music.

UK Theatre group Tall Stories (THE GRUFFALO, ROOM ON THE BROOM) brings Julia Donaldson's children's story THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE to life in this heart-warming production. As part of Sydney Opera House's 'Kids at the House' series, this show delights pre-primary and early primary schoolers and their adults through an engaging blend of story-telling, live music, audience participation and a little learning.

Opera Australia presents a powerful, emotion charged re-imagining of Puccini's LA BOHÈME which proves once again that this love story remains relevant, regardless of which century it is set.

Opera Australia brings back Julie Taymor's modern interpretation of THE MAGIC FLUTE, for the 2015 Summer Season. Translated to English by J D McClatchy, this version, originally created for the Metropolitan Opera of New York in 2005 gives the 18th Century story of the education of mankind a modern pantomime treatment.

The much anticipated Disney adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS stays relatively true to the original musical but does omit some songs and modifies some of the plotlines.

Superb singer Rachael Beck and charismatic conductor Brian Castles-Onion thrill the audience at The Sydney Opera House's CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG, the second of the shows as part of the CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE series.

The Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House was filled with Christmas Cheer as Brian Castles-Onion, the Sydney International Orchestra, Christmas Choir and singers Emma Pask and Eddie Perfect presented a somewhat eclectic mix of seasonal songs in CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE's JINGLE BELL ROCK.

David Williamson's RUPERT takes audiences on a journey through the life and scandals of the media magnate Rupert Murdoch in this cleverly constructed piece of theatre. Murdoch's obsessive greed for media dominance is portrayed by James Cromwell as Rupert as he recounts the “real” story of his life.

The Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences' new exhibition CIRCUS FACTORY at the Powerhouse Museum is set to delight children of all ages with its mix of live performance, sideshow activities, international and local exhibits and the chance to ride on a 100 year old carousel.

Blue Saint Production's GUILTY PLEASURES, is a one woman performance, telling the murderous stories of 5 women, bought to life with a wonderful intensity by Angelique Cassimatis. Written by Josh Robson (Winner, 2014 Rob Guest Endowment Award) with music by Robert Tripolino and Lyrics by Hugo Chiarella, the 1 hour cabaret explores how 5 women justify murder as they are consumed by emotions and desperate situations.

As the eagerly awaited release date of INTO THE WOODS on 8 January 2015 is drawing near the generous people at Walt Disney Studios and bridgesPR are offering Australian BroadwayWorld.com readers the opportunity to win one of 10 double passes or 5 Gift Bags (containing 1 x Into The Woods Memo Pad set, 1 x Into the Woods Musical Notebook, 1 x Into the Woods Canvas Bag, 1 x Into the Woods CD Soundtrack)

Judith Kerr's children's book THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA comes to life at Sydney Opera House this summer, to the delight of young audiences. Director, songwriter and lyricist David Wood has brought new life to this modern classic story about little Sophie, her Mummy and THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA.

In the lead up to the international hit musical DIRTY DANCING returning to Sydney, 10 years after the world premiere in Sydney, I had the opportunity to chat to the lead performers Kurt Phelan (Johnny Castle), Kirby Burgess (Frances "Baby" Houseman) and Nadia Coote (Penny Johnson) along with getting a preview of the new, reworked show from producer John Frost.

Giles Gartrell-Mills' (Director) interpretation of Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and Hugh Wheeler's (libretto) famous musical SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET allows the dark and twisted characters shine in this minimalist production.

English Writer/Director Neil Rutherford's latest production, BEYOND DESIRE, is a wonderful piece of musical theatre that draws the audience into a well-crafted Edwardian era murder mystery. Rutherford joins with Kieran Drury (composer) to create a wonderful story with many twists and turns to keep the audience engaged as secrets are revealed. It is a treat that this new work is making its premiere at the intimate space of Hayes Theatre in Sydney.

From attending the New Theatre 2015 season launch, it is clear from Artistic Director Louise Fischer's introduction that New Theatre is a "family" with a passion for what they create. The 2015 line up continues the company's legacy of staging productions that will challenge ideas and discuss issues, and even the plays that were written in other eras remain relevant to the current society.

Darlinghurst Theatre Company is the latest theatre company to re-stage the work of Nick Enright, this time with the clever and humorous DAYLIGHT SAVING. Director Adam Cook brings new life to this work that, in covering the challenges of careers, relationships, desire and "wanting it all", remains as relevant today as it was when it was first staged in 1989.

Sydney Theatre Company brings Edmond Rostand's CYRANO DE BERGERAC to life with a new staging of Andrew Upton's adaptation of the classic love story. The fast paced, witty interpretation starring Richard Roxburgh, as the soldier poet with the unfortunate nose, Cyrano De Bergerac, had the audience roaring with laughter at the clever dialogue and moved with emotion at the unfolding love story.

Mitchell Butel returns to the cabaret stage with KILLING TIME, first performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2010. The award winning busy actor and singer is taking Sunday nights off from his role in EMERALD CITY and television and movie work to share this updated show with Sydney audiences. Butel has given the 90 minute show a few tweeks, added some new songs and updated references, keeping it fresh so even if you've seen the 2010 version, or bought the CD, it's worth seeing this incarnation.