By Linda Badger.

Emma Clark only graduated from her full-time studies in 2009, but she already has numerous theatre and television credits to her name. The young star is gracing the Australian stage again in The Addams Family musical, currently playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. Dance Informa’s Linda Badger got the chance to chat with Emma between rehearsals.

What is your background as a performer?

I originally trained in classical ballet at the Jane Moore Academy of Ballet for 10 years. Then in my adolescence I took classes at Dance World Studios. To further hone my skills I completed two years of full-time dance at Patrick Studios Australia, graduating in 2009.

I always enjoyed singing in choir in high school, but I didn’t take my singing seriously until I was 18, when I began lessons with Susan Anne-Walker. I’ve seen a few teachers since then and have recently started vocal coaching with Peter Bodnar.

Tell us a bit about your role as an ‘Ancestor’ in The Addams Family musical.

I play the ‘Saloon Girl’ Ancestor.  My character is straight out of the Wild West in the 1850s. It’s a sassy role, and the beautiful costuming brings my ghostly quality to life.

Emma Clark (centre with arm raised) as ‘Ancestor’ in The Addams Family. Photo by Jeff Busby

What was the audition process like?

Like most auditions, The Addams Family audition process was extremely nerve racking. We have been blessed with an incredibly warm and nurturing creative team, so from the start of the audition process the energy of the panel was friendly, which helped make it not too daunting. There were quite a few dance rounds and lots of singing and scales to the highest of high notes. Most of the ensemble members cover the leads in the show, so there was also scene work to prepare and perform.

Were you an Addams Family fan growing up?

I wasn’t really allowed to watch TV growing up, so I have become a fan in my adult life. Since getting into the show I have caught up on the original black and white TV version that was filmed in the 1960s. My mum says she loved watching it as a kid. It is clever and darkly witty – a style that is a parallel to the musical.

What has been the best, and the most challenging part of the experience so far?

One of the most challenging things has been building up the stamina to sing the opening number, which includes some high-intensity dancing! There is also a fair amount of partner work in the show. It has also been extremely enjoyable, although challenging, to learn the infamous tango.

Any highlights of the show we should particularly look out for?

Without spoiling any of the magic of theatre, all I can say is that this show will surprise you. It is extremely touching and the family themes that run throughout the story line will make you realise that the Addams family, even though creepy and kooky, many not be too different from your family.

You have had quite a few roles in various shows, what is unique about this role?

I’ve never played a dead person before!

The cast of The Addams Family. Emma Clark can be seen behind ‘Uncle Fester’. Photo by Jeff Busby.

What is the most exciting place you have travelled to so far in your career?

The most exciting place I have travelled to would be the Philippines. I went there on my first contract, which was with Cats. I was cast as ‘Cassandra’. I will never forget the excitement and nerves that I experienced in my first job. Everything was new; the wigs, the crazy makeup and the demands of an eight-show week. I relished in the challenged and I will never forget it.

If you could perform any show, what would be your dream role?

Chicago. I will play ‘Velma’ one day…fingers crossed.

Any advice for young performers who are hoping to chase the dream of performing in musical theatre?
A quote from Don Miguel Ruiz’ book ‘The Four Agreements’¹ – this is the fourth agreement and something I live by: “Always do your best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.”

We want to wish Emma and the cast of The Addams Family all the best with the show!

The Addams Family is currently playing at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Visit www.ticketmaster.com.au or call 1300 723 038 for bookings. For more information, visit www.addamsfamilythemusical.com.au.

Source:
Ruiz, Miguel: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
(A Toltec Wisdom Book), Amber-allen Publishing Inc.
Publication Date: November 7, 1997 | ISBN-10: 1878424319 | ISBN-13: 978-1878424310

Photo (top): Emma Clark. Photo courtesy of AB Publicity 

By Rebecca Martin.

Michael Ralph is well known around Melbourne, not only for his dancing but his fantastic classes at The Space, Michelle Slater School of Dance, Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance and Centrestage Performing Arts School.

Recently, he has started creating works that have garnered critical and audience praise alike. His new work, Now & Then – Ralph’s first full-length production – will be presented at Gasworks Theatre in Melbourne on March 21-23. Featuring who’s who of the Melbourne dance scene, the work presents Ralph’s own brand of Broadway jazz and contemporary dance.

Dance Informa recently caught up with this budding choreographer to ask him a few questions.

You trained at Dance World Studios and teach at various places around Melbourne. Share with us more of your background as a student and performer. 

I actually grew up in New Zealand in a city called Tauranga on the beautiful east coast of the North Island. I started dancing at age four at the dance school around the road from my house. I moved to Australia in 2007 to study full-time at Dance World Studios and to pursue a career here.

Michael Ralph

After a year of full-time (dance) I was very lucky to be cast in the musical CATS as my first professional gig. I learnt so much about performing and about myself from being on tour. Since then I’ve performed in FAME the Musical, CATS again playing another role and in Moonshadow, the Cat Stevens’ musical.

My two goals when I moved to Australia were to perform professionally in musical theatre and to be a musical theatre choreographer. So I guess everything has been working towards these goals. I am extremely passionate about the knowledge I have gained over the years from so many incredible people who have taught, mentored and worked with me. Because of them, teaching others comes so naturally.

Now & Then isn’t your first piece of choreography. You have created prize winning pieces presented at Short + Sweet.

Last year I created a piece called Project Elvis, which was part of Short + Sweet Dance festival 2012. It won “Best Choreography”, which was a huge step forward for me and my work. The year before that I won the “People’s Choice” award for my piece Mood Swing at Short + Sweet. I have also created work for Immersed Industry dance nights, Underground Dance night, Magnormos Theatre Company and many cabaret and corporate shows. A lot of my work is for showcase and competition pieces for the many dance schools and music theatre institutions that I teach at.

Do you prefer dancing or choreography?

Dancing will always be my first love. There’s nothing quite like that feeling out there onstage – it makes me feel bigger/stronger than I believe I am in real life. But I have always been fascinated with choreography and studying different peoples’ work and processes. It feels so much more like what I was meant to do in life. I love choreographing and it’s very creatively satisfying.

Who is your favourite local choreographer and why?

I would have to say Kelley Abbey. She has such distinct vision and style with everything she does – musical theatre, television, and film. Working with her in FAME was a hugely inspiring experience and a great honour.

Who is your favourite all time choreographer and why?

That’s WAY too hard to answer! I pride myself on knowing all there is to know about the great choreographers of the past and present. I like them all for different reasons. If I was to narrow it down to a few I would say Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Jack Cole, Rob Ashford and Gene Kelly. I love choreographers of all styles though and try to let this influence my work a lot.

Michael Ralph’s ‘What is this thing called love?’

Tell us about your new work, Now & Then.

Now & Then is my first full-length dance production directed and choreographed by myself. I’ve been planning and thinking about doing a show for about two years now and finally the right moment came to go ahead and do it. Essentially the show is a chance to showcase my work to the musical theatre and dance industry in the hope of creating more interest and opportunities for myself as a choreographer.

The first piece, What is this thing called love?, is a young man’s journey to find the essence of true love. Set to a catalogue of Cole Porter’s finest hits, it promises to seduce, thrill and set your toes tapping. The second piece, Ladies of Hollywood, is a tribute to the great Jack Cole – a lesser known choreographer of film and theatre whose work I adore. The final piece, Project Elvis, explores the lust, loneliness and love of youth in the 1950’s. Featuring a rockabilly meets 2013 soundtrack of remixed Elvis Presley tracks that will blow the roof off the joint!

Tell us about the team involved in the show.

The dancers in this show are so incredible and I am extremely lucky to be working with each and every one of them. We’re about halfway through the rehearsal process now and I’ve been having such a wonderful time. The workload involved with putting on your own show is a tad daunting, but I try to keep on my game my being organized and surrounding myself with a strong team, (including) Scott Hendry (Co-Director), Amy Mete (Production Assistant), Tanje Ruddick (Production Manager) and Gemma Kelly (Costume Coordinator).

I cannot wait for people to see what we have been working on. I always strive to create work that audiences find connectable, entertaining, and fresh – even in an old school way.

To get your tickets to Now & Then visit www.gasworks.org.au and for more information visit www.facebook.com/NowAndThenDoubleDanceBill.

Photos courtesy of Michael Ralph. Top photo from Project Elvis.

By Chelsea Thomas.

Kati Smasne, 16, never dreamed she would win the first global competition of Dance Upon A Dream, a new online dance competition founded by international performer and judge Joshua Horner.

Horner, a judge for Dancing with the Stars Australia and a choreographic consultant for Disney, launched the competition alongside co-host Emily Loftiss, professional dancer, singer and choreographer, to offer competitive dancers a place to compete on an international scale without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.

Smasne was just one of hundreds of dancers to apply under the ‘senior’ division (16 years old or older), with the other divisions being ‘mini’ (7-10 years old), ‘junior’ (11-12 years old) and ‘teen’ (13-15 years old). She said she was “amazed” and “overwhelmed” when she found out she was awarded the Solo Ultimate Overall Winner. Her submission, titled “White Blank Page”, was a video of her dancing a contemporary solo choreographed by her friend Rile Reavis at the competition Dance Magic in Oregon in August 2012.

“I honestly couldn’t even believe I won and that now I’m going to study in New York at Broadway Dance Center. I come from a small town so it’s just amazing. I feel so lucky,” Smasne said.

Smasne was a standout to judge Elizabeth Parkinson who remarked, “Kati represents my favorite kind of dancer! She has a strong technical foundation with a dynamic plié and beautiful line. On top of that she is a performer and fantastic mover so rather than focusing on her technique we get to enjoy the pure joy of her personality!” Judge Peter Gregus of Jersey Boys on Broadway said, “Kati has unerring technique, which she doesn’t let overshadow her presence in her performance. She manages a beautiful marriage of both.”

Young Kati even caught the eye of judge Christopher Gattelli, Tony Award winning choreographer of Disney’s Newsies, who expressed, “Kati is a beautiful dancer with incredible facility and her own unique quality, that shows fantastic potential.  She was the perfect choice to represent Dance Upon A Dream’s premiere overall winner.”

Smasne, who has been awarded a three-month scholarship to attend Broadway Dance Center, has big dreams that come from humble origins. She was raised for most of her life in Spokane, Washington, a medium-sized city of about 200,000 residents. At age seven, she began dancing with her older sister, which spurred her on because of their “sisterly competitiveness.” While her sister eventually stopped dancing, Kati kept going, taking jazz and later ballet.

“When I was young I discovered I really loved dancing. I loved being on stage. My dance teacher told me that if I wanted to get better I should take ballet. Soon after, I started,” Smasne said.

Kati Smasne. Photos by Scott Martinez Photography

Kati began her ballet training at the Ballet School of Coeur d’Alene under owner and instructor Ceci Klein, who danced with American Ballet Theatre in the 1950s and 60s. For almost a decade, Klein has been guiding and teaching Smasne, providing her foundational technique and poise. Klein, who also instructed Andrea Cooper, who went on to be a dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre, also encouraged Smasne to pursue additional summer training and intensives.

For two summers Smasne participated in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s student intensives. She said, “I really loved that and I knew from that I wanted to be a dancer.” Another experience that inspired her and stayed with her for years was her young participation in the musical CATs. Now, Smasne says her attention is on getting to Broadway and finding her niche in jazz or theatre.

“In the last two years my focus has been on jazz and theatre because I really enjoy it,” Smasne said. “I’ve come to realise my personality is geared toward jazz – being sassy and expressive. I like the freedom of being able to make a piece my own.”

In her Dance Upon A Dream submission, Smasne’s passion for jazz and theatre is evident in her obvious, theatrical expressions and her exposed, vulnerable emotions. The work, originally a duet restaged to be a solo, shows off her excellent technique, undeniable vision, charismatic energy and balanced self-confidence.

And her self-confidence is merited. It seems everything Smasne does she does well. A high school junior with a 4.0 GPA, Kati juggles her dance schedule with attending college classes. She is on track to finish her associate’s degree at the same time she graduates from high school. She plans to pursue nursing when she can no longer dance or perform.

Smasne’s jazz instructor, Judy Reavis of the studio Dance Unlimited, said she is proud of Kati’s award.

“We are thrilled at the opportunities Kati will receive as the winner of Dance Upon a Dream. Ceci Klein and I are very proud of Kati. We celebrate her commitment and dedication to the art of dance. It has been a blessing to witness her passion for movement and to nurture her gift,” Reavis said.

After recently competing at New York City Dance Alliance in Portland, Oregon, Smasne now looks forward to preparing for her summer at Broadway Dance Center.

For other dancers looking to compete for this chance with Dance Upon a Dream, the process has been created to be as easy as possible. It’s as simple as uploading a video of a solo, partner or group piece from a dance competition to youTube, selecting an age division and performance category on the Dance Upon a Dream website, and copying and pasting the video link from YouTube to the competition website. For more information, visit www.danceuponadream.com.

Whereas other dance competitions provide dancers with a sense of where they place in their state, their region or their country, Dance Upon a Dream allows participants to see where they rank throughout the whole world. Smasne said she is so thankful for a competition like Dance Upon a Dream.

“Thanks so much to Dance Upon a Dream for the amazing opportunity they have given me. I am so excited to train in New York at Broadway Dance Center. Wow, a dream come true,” Smasne gushed.

Dance Upon a Dream and its array of world-class industry judges, offers various awards for all solo, duo/trio and group winners, including partial scholarships to the Hollywood Summer Tour, a Just Dance 4 game from UBISOFT or a Dance Upon a Dream One’Z to wear. Group winners will also receive a personal invite to the Dance The Magic showcase on Broadway this summer, as well as Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Hong Kong.

Smasne said dancers should not underestimate the importance of competition in challenging and inspiring themselves.

“It pushes you to be better,” she summarized. “When you compete, you have to be much more refined. Everything has to be disciplined and perfect, so you work harder. You never know where that extra effort or exposure will take you.”

To see Kati’s winning entry visit www.danceuponadream.com/entry/10129.

Entries opened for the next round of Dance Upon A Dream on January 31st. Get your entry in now!

Dance Upon A Dream Season 1 Winners:

Ultimate Winner: Kati Smasne, USA

People’s Choice: Kloe Burke, Australia

Judges Choice: Rhiannon Tringas, Australia
Judges Choice: Harrison Lee, Australia
Judges Choice: Michael Dameski, Australia
Judges Choice: Michelle Quiner, USA
Judges Choice: Maddison Weiley, Australia
Judges Choice: Cassandra Clarke, Australia
Judges Choice: Kelly Webster, New Zealand
Judges Choice: Kayla-Maree Tarantolo, Australia

Mini – Solo – Musical Theatre: Isabel Lacon , USA
Mini – Solo – Lyrical/ Contemporary: Shontaya Smedley, Australia
Mini – Solo- Ballet: Ashleigh Brant, Australia
Mini – Solo – Hip Hop: Manaia Davies, Australia
Mini – Solo – Jazz: Tia Buell, USA
Mini – Solo – Acro/ specialty: Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini – Solo – Tap: Grace Gellie, Australia
Mini – Boys Award: Ashton Schier-Mason, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Jazz: Alex Burghardt, Meredith Page, Skylar Podziewski, USA
Mini – Duo /Trio – Acro / Specialty: Kailin and Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini - Duo Trio - Lyrical/ Cont: Grace Gellie and Brooke Ainsworth, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Grace Gellie and Shanae Holland, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Musical Th: Cody Ettingshausen & Sophie Piggott, Australia
Mini -Small Group- Hip hop: Zyannna, Xeryus, Justine, Amik,
Alexias, Kaylinda, Dominique, Canada

Junior –  Solo – Jazz: Clare Billson, Australia
Junior – solo – Lyrical/ Cont: Sophia Kaloudis, Australia
Junior – Solo- Ballet: Madison Ayton, Australia
Junior – Solo – Tap: Rudi Palmela, Australia
Junior -Hip Hop – Solo: Chantelle Redzeposki, Australia
Junior – Solo -Musical Th: Hamish Briggs, Australia
Junior – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Kailin Brown, Canada
Junior – Large Group – Lyrical: Sans Souci Public School, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Hip Hop: Chantelle Redzeposki, Claudia and Chelsea Robertson, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical/ cont: Harley Rodrigue, Mackenzie Van Natta, Darian Callais, USA
Junior – Duo /Trio – Jazz: Jemima Smith and Laurence Neuhaus, Australia
Junior – Boys award: Hamish Briggs, Australia

Teen – Solo – Jazz: Marie Spieldenner, USA
Teen – Solo – Lyrical/Contemporary: Kloe Burke, USA
Teen – Solo – Tap: Zoe Barbera, Australia
Teen – Solo – Musical Theatre: Rachel Moore, Australia
Teen – Solo – Hip Hop: Carla Celesti, Australia
Teen – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Megha Budhrani, FL
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Musical Theatre: Jason Kidd and Kiarra Vacek, USA
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical /Cont: Briana Collova & Nicholas Cruse, Australia
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Matiu and Marie Samuel, New Zealand
Teen Boys Award: Thomas Dilley, Australia
Teen – Small Group -Hip Hop: Madison, Rachelle, Jordan, Migo, Jasmine, Paige, Cassandra, Canada
Teen – Small Group – Lyrical/ Cont: The McDonald College, Australia
Teen-  Large Group –Jazz: RG DANCE, Australia
Teen – Large Group – Ballet: The McDonald College, Australia

Senior – Solo- Acro/ Specialty: Samantha Rybka, Australia
Senior – Solo – Hip Hop: Axel-Roman Allioux, Canada
Senior – Solo- Lyrical/ Cont: Kati Smasne, USA
Senior – Solo- Jazz: Emma Swannie, Australia
Senior – Solo – Tap: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Solo – Musical Theatre: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Large Group – Acro/ Specialty: Lee Academy, Australia
Senior Boys Award: Matt Antonucci, Australia
Senior – Duo/ Trio -Jazz: Tasmin & Eliza Cummins, Australia
Senior Duo/ Trio – Lyrical / Cont: Meg Scheffers and Tiffany Browne, Australia

WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO…. Cats or West Side Story!

Two of the world’s greatest musicals!

Win Cats tickets for Perth or Sydney, or opening week tickets to West Side Story in Sydney!

Click here to enter and for further information.

NSW Permit Number LTPM/09/00769 CLASS: Type B.

Regent Theatre, Melbourne             
Saturday March 25^th 2010

By Brian Nolan

The Regent theatre is magnificent, providing a ‘purrfect’ setting for the musical Cats.

The show still has the same songs and pretty much the same set and costumes. For this production though, there is of course a different cast and some extra choreography, assisting the performers to show off their dancing skills, especially Mr Mistoffelees.

In short, as a musical it was impressive, with some very tuneful voices enabling some outstanding ensemble and individual performances.  The dancing was of a very high calibre with wonderful flexibility, high extensions and dynamic jumps and jetés. With energy, attack and dynamics, the dancers displayed great control with turns, good aerial and acrobatic skills and in general, tight unison from a very talented cast.

But as Cats go, sadly they all left the ‘purring’ behind, making the choreography appear somewhat dated. The cast all desperately need to go to a ‘Cat School’ (as per the original cast). Apart from glimpses of individuals here and there, the only resemblance to Cats were the costumes, make-up and of course the songs themselves. Gone was the individual cat like style that they should possess – the inquisitiveness or the regal aplomb, being somnolent, old and weary, majestic or quick tempered and feisty. They simply needed more cat like shape and movement. I was very surprised to see cats just basically standing around upright throughout the show as if they were on a platform waiting for Skimbleshanks’ train to arrive!

Photo David Wyatt

The exception to this was Mr Mistoffelees (Adrian Ricks) who was so set apart from the rest that he was actually upstaging the cast during the singing. His pawing of the rubbish, or the split penché he did while atop the car boot during his “stretch” before settling down, were both eccentric and imaginative. What I fail to understand was why he didn’t sing at all during the show? He was front and centre basically the whole time, yet all he did was poke faces as if he was doing cat sign language. Even if he mimed it would have looked better and no-one would have known.

There were outstanding performances though, with Rum Tum Tugger (John O’Hara) hamming up every little characteristic moment that he could, with assurance and profuse self confidence in a very cocky and humorous way. Rumpleteazer (Justine Puy) was very rascally and playful and her curtain call at the end of the show where she shoved Mungojerrie into the oven, was very cheeky. Grizabella (Delia Hanna) sang superlatively as she hobbled around the stage and I  particularly liked her physical interpretation of the shunned rejected cat.

Munkustrap (Shaun Rennie) sang spectacularly throughout with his ‘cat pose’ being masculine and flattering to his physique. However, he needs to act or tell his story more and not just sing it.  Jennyanydots (Laura McCulloch),for a debut artist, was very swanky and vivacious.

But the scene stealer of the show was the ‘Gus the Theatre Cat’ routine. Gus (Michael-John Hurney) and Jellylorum (Lisa-Marie Parker) were outstanding. They sang brilliantly, were comical, animated, dynamic and bubbly, and they totally had the audience, including myself, in stitches. Honorable Mentions go to Bombalurina (Monique Chanel Pitsikas) and Demeter (Renee Burleigh).

So, is this a good musical – Yes!
Is it a good cast – Yes!
Is it a good Cats production – Not the best I’ve seen, but…
Is Cats worthwhile seeing – absolutely!

This is an Australian cast and we should all be encouraged to support the arts in this country. By us (the public) attending the performing arts we are assisting in the continual employment of these and other talented artists.

Boasting a cast and crew of 53 including a live band, Cats will return triumphantly in an entrancing production that reconnects us with our favourite characters – Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks. Based on the book of poems “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” (1939) by T.S. Eliot, Cats tells the imaginative tale of a tribe of Jellicle Cats as theygather together for the annual Jellicle Ball, and one by one tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, who must choose one of the Cats to journey to the Heavyside Layer to be ‘reborn’ into a new life.

It has been 15 years since Cats wowed audiences here, and following sell out shows across Asia since 2006, Cats is returning home. Cats is presented in Australia by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises in association with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises have been responsible for numerous outstanding productions over the years including Miss Saigon, Singin’ In The Rain, The Phantom of the Opera (Singapore 2007 season, in association with The Really Useful Group), Stomp, Swan Lake On Ice, We Will Rock You and Abba Mania, to name but a few. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group is one of the world’s most recognized international entertainment companies, responsible for producing, co-producing, licensing and managing major theatrical production worldwide.

“The cat’s whiskers… A triumphant piece of musical theatre…” Sunday Times UK 

www.lunchbox-productions.com

WIN A DOUBLE PASS!
Win two tickets to see Cats in either Melbourne, Perth or Sydney. Click here…

MELBOURNE
Venue: Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Opens: Saturday 6 March 2010
Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012
www.ticketek.com.au

PERTH
Venue: Burswood Theatre
Opens: Tuesday 13 April 2010
Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012
www.ticketek.com.au

SYDNEY
Venue: Lyric Theatre, Star City
Opens: Tuesday 18 May 2010
Bookings: ticketmaster 1300 795 267
www.ticketmaster.com.au

Cats has pounched into Melbourne, enjoying a successful season at Regent Theatre.
Dance Informa was there to take a few photos of the gorgeous Jellicle Cats.

Photo David Wyatt

Photo Belinda Strodder

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Photo David Wyatt

Cats is touring to Melbourne, Perth and Sydney this year for strictly limited seasons. For more information and to WIN TICKETS  click here

Photography Copyright David Wyatt and Belinda Strodder.
David Wyatt
davidwyatt75@gmail.com www.capturingimages.com.au 
Belinda Strodder
belinda@dancephotography.net.au www.dancephotography.net.au

Readers, here’s your chance to WIN a Double Pass to…

Frame and Circle by Leigh Warren & Dancers
For more information about this new contemporary work read the feature interview with choreographers Leigh Warren and Prue Lang. Click herewww.adelaidefestival.com.au

Dates: March 10th‐13th, 7.00pm & March 14, 5.00pm
Venue: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Contact: BASS 131 246

Click Here to enter

CATS, the Musical Spectacular!
Win two tickets to see Cats in either Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
Click here…

MELBOURNE
Venue: Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Opens: Saturday 6 March 2010
Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012
www.ticketek.com.au

PERTH
Venue: Burswood Theatre
Opens: Tuesday 13 April 2010
Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012
www.ticketek.com.au

SYDNEY
Venue: Lyric Theatre, Star City
Opens: Tuesday 18 May 2010
Bookings: ticketmaster 1300 795 267
www.ticketmaster.com.au

NSW Permit Number: LTPM/09/00769 CLASS: Type B

THE MUSICAL CATS IS COMING!
OPENING MAY 16 AT THE LYRIC THEATRE, STAR CITY SYDNEY

At long last Cats, the most recognised and adored musical the world has ever known, capers and frolics into Sydney from Sunday 16 May 2010 for a strictly limited season, playing in the Lyric Theatre, Star City.

Cats is quite simply a phenomenon. Featuring a magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the poignant hit song “Memory”, a fantastical set, inspired choreography and mischievous costumes, Cats is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed.

Seen by over 65 million people world-wide, Cats first opened in London in May 1981 to rave reviews and went on to win a record-breaking number of awards internationally including two Olivier Awards for ‘Musical of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Musicals’, and seven Tony Awards. It holds the record for one of the longest-running musicals in West End history playing for 21 years. In addition Cats played 18 years on Broadway and has been presented in over twenty-six countries, in about three hundred cities, in ten languages.

Boasting a cast and crew of 53 including a live band, Cats will return triumphantly to Sydney in an entrancing production that reconnects us with our favourite characters – Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks. Based on the book of poems “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” (1939) by T.S. Eliot, Cats tells the imaginative tale of a tribe of Jellicle Cats as they gather together for the annual Jellicle Ball, and one by one tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, who must choose one of the Cats to journey to the Heavyside Layer to be ‘reborn’ into a new life.

It has been 15 years since Cats wowed Sydney audiences at the Lyric Theatre and now the Australian touring cast, who have been selling out shows across Asia since 2006, are returning home.

Cats is presented in Australia by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises in association with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group. Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises have been responsible for numerous outstanding productions over the years including Miss Saigon, Singin’ In The Rain, The Phantom of the Opera (Singapore 2007 season, in association with The Really Useful Group), Stomp, Swan Lake On Ice, We Will Rock You and Abba Mania, to name but a few. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group is one of the world’s most recognised international entertainment companies, responsible for producing, co-producing, licensing and managing major theatrical production worldwide.

Tickets now on sale. Call Ticketmaster 1300 795 267 or www.ticketmaster.com.au