Theatre and Shows in Sydney

There's always a lively calendar of theatre, musicals and other performances to experience on stages scattered around Sydney. Outstanding venues include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Lyric at The Star and the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

In 2013 the Sydney Theatre Company offers a stunning program that includes new productions of Romeo and Juliet, Waiting for Godot and The Maids by Jean Genet while Opera Australia features classical favourites including Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's La traviata. Also performing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House is the Bell Shakespeare Company, bringing to life the timeless works of Shakespeare and other prolific writers throughout the year.

Major venues that host West End and Broadway shows year-round include the Theatre Royal, The Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket and The State Theatre. The Griffin Theatre Company performs new writing theatre at The Stables in Kings Cross while King Street Theatre in Newtown has cabaret, drama, pocket opera, chamber music and more.

The Seymour Theatre Centre also in Newtown, has a wide range of performing arts - drama, music theatre for young people - and is a venue for January's Sydney Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Children's Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival. Riverside Theatres at Parramatta has more than 700 performances a year including opera, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013

Don't Miss the 2013 Ipswich Fashion Festival - Catwalk, Culture and Couture

TICKETS ON SALE NOW – ONLY $22.00 per person. 
PHONE 3812 2974

Metro Hotel Ipswich International
Grandchester Ballroom
Friday 25 October 2913
6.30pm—8.30pm

The premier fashion event of the year! A celebration of the diversity of fashion, design and culture.

Runway Designs by Leigh Buchanan Designs and Vanessa Hoe “When Freddie met Lilly’, Naked in the Night Clothing Co, Qld Bridal Design, Pret a Porter, and the PFAFF Student Design Awards.

Wine & canapés 6.30pm on The Terrace.

Runway Showing:7.00pm

Spectacular performance by Allula Productions

Free Guest Hair & Beauty Bar 4.30pm—6.30pm . Bookings essential.

Tickets: $22.00pp. Phone 3812 2974

All tickets enter the draw to win fabulous prizes.

Vintage Vixens & Retro Rockabilly’ Fashion Fiesta!
9.30am—1.30pm
Ipswich City Mall
Saturday 26 October 2013

Stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories and preloved fashion. Join us for the Prom King and Queen pageant, Vintage Cars, Swing Dance, Fashion Parade, Miss Lindy Charm School, the Sugar Shakers, and so much more.

‘Catwalk Collections’ Fashion Parade
Riverlink Shopping Centre
1.00pm
Saturday 26 October 2013

The Gala Fashion Designs cross the Bremer River. Where high-end fashion meets Ready to Wear. Parade includes Designer pieces, Qld Bridal Designs, Pret a Porter, and the Student Design Award winners.

Sydney Fringe Festival 2013

The largest independent arts festival in New South Wales, the Sydney Fringe Festival, will present a mammoth 300 acts this September. This month long celebration of art, theatre, music and sound, dance, poetry, film and food and wine will be held in over 60 venues across five distinct creative villages on the city's fringe.

The Seymour Centre courtyard will be transformed into 'Emerald City' - the Sydney Fringe Festival hub. Open every Thursday to Saturday throughout the festival, 'Emerald City' will play host to free live music, comedy and cabaret events.

 n the Newtown festival village, festival goers can visit the music venue 'Eliza's Juke Joint,' check out the free 'Artcore Guerllia Artfair' event in the Dendy cinema carpark and have fun reliving their childhood at 'Camp Super Happy Sunshine Fun' at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. 

Leichhardt will play host to 'Equus' at The Forum, a fire based circus act from Circaholics Anonymous and a magic show at AV Union.

In Marrickville, Camelot Lounge will feature a month of live music, including the vocal styles of Abby Dobson, whilst the Factory Theatre will present Fringe Comedy

 Over at Surry Hills, the Slide Lounge will feature burlesque shows and a late night bar, the Old Fitzroy Theatre will have a great line-up of independent theatre and Emma Pask will perform at Venue 505, whilst Lisa Chappell will perform at The Old 505 Theatre.

In the Glebe and Chippendale villages, there will be lots to discover; from artisan food to hidden galleries, as well as live performances, including a fresh comedy line up at Bedlam Bar and exhibitions at White Rabbit Gallery or Matty Grey's Slime Time at the Seymour Centre as part of Sydney Fringe Kids.

Sydney Fringe Festival spokesperson Kerri Glasscock says 'We are thrilled to release our 2013 program. 

This year we have delved deeper into the heart of Sydney expanding our scope not only artistically but geographically. We are excited to offer Fringe visitors more intimate experiences this year as we have discovered hundreds of hidden gems within the city, not only focusing on a terrific arts program but opening up to artisan food, crafts and sub-cultures. We have unlocked the city and invite you all to join us in celebrating the wonderful world that is Sydney's fringe'.

For more information, full program and tickets from 5th August, head to www.sydneyfringe.com

Fringe Accommodation  

Sydney's Festival of the Winds 2013

Sydney's most colourful spring festival

Sydney's beloved kite flying festival, the Festival of the Winds, returns on Sunday 8th September 2013. 

Throughout the day there will be heaps of activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Art displays, flying displays, a full day multicultural entertainment program, roving performers, circus clowns, a real butterfly house, children's rides and inflatables, puppet shows, kite making workshops, food stalls and much more.

One of the largest kite flying festivals in Australia, the Festival of the Winds attracts both local and international kite-makers, flyers and enthusiasts. International guests this year include flyers Karl Longbottom from England, Peter Clark, Craig Hansen and Debby Hansen from New Zealand and Liu Zhiping from Weifang, China. 

There will be fabulous delta, free form and fighter kites from the Australian Kite Flyer Society members who will be showcasing their own designs, huge hand-made character kites as well as kite designs from India, Malaysia, China and Japan.

2012 Festival of the Wind

All festival-goers are invited to fly their own kites alongside the experts; bring along your own kite, purchase one from the kite stalls in park or make your own kite by participating in one of the kite making workshops!

Accompanying the interactive kite activities is an all-day multicultural entertainment program with great music, dance and kid's shows MCed by Sydney's one and only, hilarious comic juggling percussionist; Joel Salom and his sidekick Eric the Dog!

Event highlights include;

• Yellomundee Family Band: a young Indigenous act performing both traditional and contemporary song and dance.
• Sankha Ridma Dance Ensemble: a Sri Lankan group, with dazzling costumes, rhythmic dance moves and phenomenal drumming.
• The Real Mexico: virtuoso Victor Valdes and his Mariachi group perform traditional Mexican music and dance.
• Strings on Fire: an experience like no other, consisting of tango, violins, circus tricks, music and fire stunts!
• Bukhu: Mongolian musician Bukhu will delight you with his unique throat singing and horse-head fiddle.
• Sydney Cook Island Dance Group: expect exuberant and vibrant hip swinging, arm swaying and log drumming.
• Free dance workshops for all to enjoy, including capoeira, zumba, dance fusion, tango and belly dancing.
• Kite Making workshops for all ages, as well as kite stalls.

Grease is the Word - Grease Starts October 12th Sydney

Starts October 12th at Sydney's Lyric Theatre

GREASE is still the word, as Australian theatre producer John Frost today revealed the cast and tour dates for his new multi-million dollar production of GREASE.

In the lead roles of Danny and Sandy are musical theatre favourite Rob Mills and rising star Gretel Scarlett. Rob Mills made a name for himself in musical theatre performing Fiyero in the Broadway blockbuster Wicked in Melbourne and Sydney for two years, and will join GREASE after starring as Warner Huntington III in the hit musical Legally Blonde in Brisbane and Melbourne. Gretel Scarlett has played support roles in Wicked and Mamma Mia! and is excited to take on her first starring role.

Bert Newton returns to his radio roots to play the role of slick veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine, while Todd McKenney dusts off his dancing shoes to star as Teen Angel, the good-looking, falsetto voiced, Fabian lookalike. The role of All-American, rock-star student at Rydell High, Johnny Casino, has gone to Anthony Callea, returning to the musical theatre stage after success in Rent and Wicked. Rizzo, the leader of the Pink Ladies, will be played by Lucy Maunder (Dr Zhivago, The Threepenny Opera), and Kenickie will be played by Stephen Mahy (Jersey Boys, I Will Survive). The cast also includes Francine Cain (Frenchy), Chris Durling (Doody), Sam Ludeman (Sonny), Duane McGregor (Roger) and Laura Murphy (Jan).

“GREASE is one of my favourite musicals, and with this top draw cast of musical theatre stars I have no doubt it will again be everyone’s favourite party musical,” John Frost said. “I’m thrilled that Rob  Mills will be our Danny, straight from his success in Legally Blonde, and that we have found a new leading lady in Gretel Scarlett. Both Rob and Gretel gave sensational auditions, and our UK creative team knew instantly that they were the ideal Danny and Sandy. And it’s wonderful again to be working with the wonderful Todd McKenney, the talented Anthony Callea and, for our sixth musical together, the irrepressible Bert Newton.

What can I say about this cast – You’re The One That I Want!”

GREASE will open at the Sydney Lyric from October 13, 2013.

GREASE is the Number One Party musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more.

So get ready to dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as “bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again.

You can purchase tickets to Grease in Sydney at Ticket Master

Perth Evolving to be Style Capital Says Josh Goot

PERTH is evolving into Australia's style capital, according to one of the country's hottest designers.

Internationally adored, Sydney-based designer Josh Goot said Perth had a growing fashion culture and a "captive consumer".

"There is a burgeoning domestic market in Perth, as well as tourist dollar that I'm sure is alluring established international brands," Goot, who flies into WA next week to open the new-season runway show for high-end fashion boutique Ricarda, said.

"Perth, like Sydney and Melbourne, has great relevance as an Australian style capital.

"It has a unique and Australian identity, plus great proximity to the rest of the world."

Goot's comment comes as Leederville  one of the metropolitan area's emerging centres of cool  prepares to hold its first fashion festival on Thursday night.

Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan said the event, "Constellations", was a chance for up-and-coming local designers to show their work. Models will replace mannequins in shopfront windows displaying the latest fashions from a selection of WA designers from 5pm.

A fashion runway show will also be held in the Laneway between Funky Bunches and Kailis Restaurant at 7pm.

Among the emerging designers in the festival are Ariana Davis, Stott & Sims, On A Whim, SeaWolf Design, Katherine Young, Emily Murco, Dear Maurice, Chaka Leyla, ARA, Nicole Marrington and Jewel Designs.

The designs will be showcased by models from SCENE Models.

There will also be an after- party upstairs at the Leederville Hotel from 8.30pm-10pm.

When Dad Married Fury – By David Williamson

Featuring – John Wood, David James, Drew Tingwell, Annie Last, Nell Feeney, Tanya Burne and Jan Friedl.

Watch out because here comes the bride…Incongruous brothers Ian and Ben are on their way to Sydney to visit their recently widowed father. Three big surprises are in store when they arrive at his 75th birthday celebrations.

The ‘Old Man’ is worth $100 million. He’s gone and married Fury, an American beauty queen half his age. There is no pre-nup…With his trademark wit and skilful blending of contemporary culture within the ageless framework of family greed, jealousy, love and expectation, Australia’s leading playwright David Williamson delivers another gripping play and his most memorable characters to date.  Is there more to the beautiful Fury than meets the eye? Is Alan the father he thinks he is? Do Ben’s loyalties lie with his wife, his dad or himself? Can Ian contain his greed long enough to get a signature on the right will? And who is to blame for the death of Ben’s father-in-law?  One thing is for certain: everything changed when Dad married Fury.

Check out the Promo Video for When Dad Married Fury

Find Nearby accommodation at Metro Hotel Ipswich International