Eddie Perfect Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC as 'Luther Bills' at QPAC from Tonight

Award winning actor and writer Eddie Perfect will return to the stage in the role of Head Sailor Luther Billis replacing Gyton Grantley for the final four performances of South Pacific at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Eddie, a well known television and theatre star, will join the South Pacific Brisbane production from tonight, 25 January until the final performance on Sunday 27 January, while Gyton is in Sydney undertaking filming commitments for the TV show House Husbands.

Eddie received wide acclaimed for his performances as Billis in the show's premiere season in August 2012 at the Sydney Opera House, and in the following Melbourne Season.

Brisbane born Gyton has also wowed audiences since he took on the role of Billis for the Brisbane season of South Pacific which opened on 27 December in QPAC's Lyric Theatre. Gyton, best known for his portrayal of Carl Williams in the Underbelly television series, said he has loved playing Luther Billis and performing in front of audiences in his home town.

"I have had a ball in my musical debut and it has been amazing working with the talented and warm group of people of South Pacific. I am certainly sad to leave Brisbane before the season end, though am happy to hand over the baton to Eddie, knowing audiences are going to love his portrayal of Billis," said Gyton.

Eddie said he relishes the opportunity to take to the stage again in South Pacific.

"I am thrilled to be able to re-insert myself into this incredible production of South Pacific again in Brisbane. I've performed there many times and loved it, but this will be my first time in a major musical. Since leaving the production to honour my commitments to Offspring, I've missed the show and its wonderful cast dearly. It's a dream to be back on board, tackling the role of Billis in front of a sunny Brisbane crowd," said Eddie.

Acclaimed opera star Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Australia's best loved and four time Gold Logie award-winning actress Lisa McCune, Australian musical theatre star Daniel Koek and award- winning Australian singer, Christine Anu lead the stellar cast as Emile de Becque, Nellie Forbush, Lieutenant Joseph Cable and Bloody Mary.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin' Like a Dame.

With a cast of 40 and an orchestra twice the size of most musicals, this international hit and landmark production, which was just awarded Best Production of a Musical at this week's Sydney Theatre Awards, will perform at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC until 27 January 2013.

SOUTH PACIFIC - CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR - Bartlett Sher
MUSICAL STAGING - Christopher Gattelli
SET DESIGNER - Michael Yeargan
COSTUME DESIGNER - Catherine Zuber
SOUND DESIGNER - Scott Lehrer
MUSIC SUPERVISOR - Ted Sperling
MUSIC DIRECTOR - Andrew Greene
LIGHTING DESIGNER - Donald Holder
EMILE DE BECQUE - Teddy Tahu Rhodes
NELLIE FORBUSH - Lisa McCune
LUTHER BILLIS - Gyton Grantley
BLOODY MARY - Christine Anu

This production of South Pacific is based on the Lincoln Center Theater production first performed in New York on 1 March 2008.

BRISBANE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Evenings at 7.30pm
PREVIEWS: December 27, 28, 29 OPENING NIGHT: January 2
January 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26

Matinees: Wednesdays & Saturdays at 1.30pm
December 29; January 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26
Matinees: Tuesday at 1.30pm January 22

Matinees: Sundays at 3pm (except Sunday 30 December & Sunday 6 January at 1pm & 6pm)
December 30; January 6, 13, 20, 27

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Cnr Grey and Melbourne Streets, Cultural Centre South Bank 4101
BOOKINGS: www.qpac.com.au or phone 136 246. Tickets from $79.90* *Ticket price includes GST and Booking Fee. Please note transaction fees will apply.

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