Ben Mingay

Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Concert Hall, QPAC

Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho A Pirate's Life for Me! Get those swords ready and protect thy daughters as The Pirates of Penzance swing into QPAC's Concert Hall this weekend! This classic Gilbert & Sullivan production follows the young pirate, Frederic, who after completing his 21st year as an apprentice pirate, is released and meets Mabel, the daughter of the incompetent Major-General Stanley. However, Frederic soon learns that he was born on the 29th of February and has his birthday only once a leap year, meaning his duty to the pirate king is still bound until his 21st birthday (some 40+ years away). With many other characters and stories interweaving in the classic, this beautiful piece of opera is a shining light for what modern adaptions can be. 

Cast Set For NYE Opera Gala at the Sydney Opera House

Opera Australia has announced multi-faceted opera and musical theatre performers Ben Mingay and Katie Stenzel, will host this year’s New Year’s Eve Opera Gala in the spectacular Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Concert Production Comes to QPAC in December

An in-concert production of the much-loved Gilbert and Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance, will storm the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Concert Hall from 5 to 8 December 2024for six shows only.

REVIEW: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET - A MUSICAL THRILLER Is Given A Gloriously Gothic Treatment

Victorian Opera’s incoming Artistic Director Stuart Maunder AM revives his a deliciously dark but incredibly clear expression of Stephen Sondheim (Music and Lyrics) and Hugh Wheeler’s (Book) SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – A MUSICAL THRILLER.

Rehearsals Are Underway For SWEENEY TODD in Sydney

The residents of Fleet Street have arrived in town ahead of the Sydney Opera House season of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with rehearsals now underway for the murderous musical opening on July 22.

Opera Australia Will Perform Five Sydney Opera House Premieres in Summer 2024

Opera Australia (OA) has announced its 2024 Sydney Summer Season with guest Creative Director Lindy Hume presenting five Sydney Opera House premieres, having been invited by CEO Fiona Allan to curate the season.

SWEENEY TODD Comes to the Sydney Opera House in July

With generous servings of greed, lust, and vengeance, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is coming to the Sydney Opera House this winter from 22 July to 27 August. 

Ben Mingay to Replace Michael Cormick in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

Producers of La Cage aux Folles, returning for an exclusive gala season at The Concourse in Chatswood from 30 November 2022, have announced that Michael Cormick has had to pull out of playing Georges due to an ongoing medical issue with actor, musician and international musical theatre performer, Ben Mingay (Frayed, Shrek the Musical), stepping into the role.

VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for Season 2 of HBO's FRAYED

Season two of the dramedy kicks off in London, where the lives and secrets of the Cooper family continue to unravel as they deal with the ramifications of season one’s explosive finale, and their Australian past insists on catching up with them. The series stars creator and writer, Sarah Kendall. Watch the new trailer now!

BWW Review: SHREK the Musical at QPAC

Last night, QPAC's Lyric Theatre transformed into our favourite green ogre's swamp and it is quite the spectacle. And the musical spares no expense with only the most dazzling costumes, set and puppets. Whilst I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I'd be laughing and cheering through a mask at the theatre, it was worth it to be immersed in such a world of colour, hope and love. From Fiona getting her own fairytale ending, to Farquad re-uniting with his long-lost father, to the Pinocchio finally accepting himself for who he was... the musical has it all.

SHREK THE MUSICAL Opens At QPAC

The wait is finally 'ogre'!  Shrek The Musical will open its Queensland premiere season in Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Lyric Theatre tonight Thursday 14 January 2021 running until 7 February 2021. 

All-Star Original Australian Lead Cast Confirmed For SHREK THE MUSICAL At QPAC

ALL-STAR ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN LEAD CAST CONFIRMED FOR SHREK THE MUSICAL AT QPAC

Sydney Festival Presents FNL ALIVE AND UNLOCKED!

Originally live streamed as 'Friday Night Live!' during the great lockdown of 2020, 'FNL ... Alive and Unlocked!' will be unleashed in the Sydney Festival from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 January 2021.  The season will be live on stage and live streamed to the universe across selected performances. 

SOUND MIND Music Series Launches

To be released throughout Mental Health Month (October 2020), SOUND MIND is a series of six new 12-15 minute online music-centred episodes exploring mental health and the performing arts.

Australia's Newest Virtual Venue The Reservoir Room Now Streaming Live

Live from The Reservoir Room this week, FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE will showcase our two Saturday Night performers Mark Trevorrow and Matt Copley  who will also be joined by special guests Ben Mingay, Prinnie Stevens and the cast of Who's Your Baghdaddy?

Australia's Newest Virtual Venue 'The Reservoir Room' Will Open 5 June

Catherine Alcorn, together with three-time Gold Logie nominee, RODGER CORSER will host Australia's newest virtual venue THE RESERVOIR ROOM.  

BWW Feature: LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY]

The coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has devastated the Australian theatre industry. While the closure of theatres has significantly helped fight this pandemic by ensuring social distancing, Australian arts' workers have been left with the grim reality of unemployment. Despite this sudden and unforeseen shutdown of theatre, the comradery and resilience of those working in entertainment continues to shine. This is evident in the hard work of James Cutler and Joshua Robson Productions who have ensured that the show will go on, by establishing an outstanding performance initiative called LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY].

LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY] Concert Will Be Held in May

James Cutler and Joshua Robson Productions have announced a special and unique online concert which will shine a light on the Australian musical theatre industry and support performers whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 arts shutdown. LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY] will be held on Monday 11 May from 7pm.

Young Princess Fionas Announced For SHREK THE MUSICAL In Melbourne

Australia's leading theatre producer John Frost today announced the four young actresses who will play the role of Young Princess Fiona during the Melbourne season of the multi-million dollar musical comedy SHREK THE MUSICAL. This lavish and fun musical plays at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne from 16 February. The role of Young Princess Fiona will be shared in Melbourne by Charlize Costantin (9 years old, from Montmorency), Lilah Crotty (10, Coburg), Isobel Lauber (9, Doreen) and Charlotte Lundy (12, Highton).

The Coffee Club Announces Shrek-Themed Menus in Honor of SHREK THE MUSICAL

Australia's largest home-grown café group, The Coffee Club, has launched its latest family-friendly promotion, turning stores and menus Shrek-themed and offering a money-can't-buy VIP experience for one lucky winner.