Billy Elliot The Musical, featuring music by the legendary Elton John, Billy Elliot the Musical is an extraordinary theatrical experience that has captivated audiences around the world. Seen by over 12 million people worldwide and acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot is the recipient of over 85 awards internationally. Set in a northern town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, the show follows Billy’s journey from boxing ring to ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever.

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The Midsumma Extravaganza is on 1 Feb at Hamer Hall and you can get tickets from the Arts Centre Melbourne Website. Don’t miss out as it was a sellout in 2019!

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You can book tickets at the National Theatre website.

Here’s some info about the show:

In January 2020, the YABC will produce a brand new production of one of the world’s most popular musicals, CATS.

Based on TS Elliot’s collection of poems ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, and featuring an eclectic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS has enjoyed record-breaking runs in the West End, on Broadway, and all around the world, and later this year will be released as a major motion picture. Taking its lead from the era of the original poems, which were written by Elliot for his children in the 1930s, our new production will evoke England during the Great Depression.

In a crumbling Music Hall, our band of very theatrical Cats will strut and sing and prance and dance as they gather together for the Jellicle Ball.

The post INTERVIEW: Matthew Casamento and Adeline Hunter from Young Australian Broadway Chorus on their production of Cats – Jan 17-25 at National Theatre #ListenNOW appeared first on Driving You Mad, Driving You Crazy.

More Information from the show website:

In a dark South American prison, two very different men share a small cell. Valentin is a Marxist revolutionary who refuses to betray his comrades. Molina is a window dresser who distracts himself by escaping to a fantasy world of movies starring the glamorous diva, Aurora. Valentin can’t stand Molina’s cinematic fantasies and so draws a line on the floor to stop Molina from coming near him. Surely that will keep them apart.

From Kander & Ebb, the team behind smash-hit shows Chicago and Cabaret, and acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally (Master Class), comes a provocative tale of love, imagination, and the friendship that develops when humanity is pushed to its limits. It’s a powerful and emotive story made famous by the original novel and an Oscar-winning film, brought to life here as a dazzling major musical production for the first time ever in Australia.

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Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.

The critically acclaimed play has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and is the most-awarded production in the history of Britain’s prestigious Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director. The play opened on Broadway in April 2018 to rave reviews and won 6 Tony Awards including Best Play, 6 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 5 Drama Desk Awards and many more.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two Parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings.”

The post INTERVIEW: Lucy Goleby (Ginny) & Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus) from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child #ListenNOW appeared first on Driving You Mad, Driving You Crazy.

And here’s some further info about the show from their website:

After premiering in Sydney, Roald Dahl’s delicious tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne and is on sale in Brisbane.

Willy Wonka is opening his marvellous and mysterious chocolate factory to a lucky few. That includes Charlie Bucket, whose bland life is about to sweeten with colour and confection beyond his wildest dreams. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerising joyride through a world of pure imagination. Now’s your chance to experience the wonders of Wonka! Get ready for the Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, costumes and sets and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!

The post INTERVIEW: Jayde Westaby & Harrison Riley from “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” #ListenNow appeared first on Driving You Mad, Driving You Crazy.

And here’s some more info about the shows and Tash…

Melbourne’s favourite cabaret wineo Tash York and her very good Friends take you through a night of stories, songs and stripping – without being too emotionally involved.

Tash will be joined by 3 talented friends for the evening including our incredible Burlesque Queen (and current Miss Burlesque Victoria) Ms Bettie Bombshell, the hilariously dirty mind of comedian Nicky Barry and the delightful cabaret/drag talents of Vivian Fonteyn!

Tash has performed cabaret and musical-improv (Impromptunes) to sold-out audiences at Perth Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Ballarat Cabaret Festival, Brisbane Wonderland Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

With her wine-loving antics and witty repartee, Tash York is a singer, improviser, cabaret performer, MC and….. balloon twister!  Known for her ballsy voice, dynamic energy and an uncanny ability to rap on command, Tash “is a phenomenal performer, charismatic and courageous”(Theatre People).

The master of bawdy fun, she has received huge success touring with her award-winning comedy cabaret “These Things Take Wine” which was runner-up for Best Cabaret at Fringe World 2016. She created and performs with the pink beehived trio The Desperettes who are also at this Adelaide Fringe with their hit show “A Guide to Being a Wingman”. 

The post INTERVIEW: Tash York on her upcoming shows at Cabaret @ Tolarno and the Butterfly Club #ListenNow appeared first on Driving You Mad, Driving You Crazy.

A bi-annual print music magazine dedicated to female pop musicians from all over the world, Women in Pop aims to reverse the under-representation and misrepresentation of female musicians in the media.

Pop music is the most glorious art form the world had to offer- and women do it better!

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Here are some details about the album which is available everywhere!

Josh’s self-titled album is released through Fanfare Records (Sony Music Distribution) and was produced by John Foreman. The orchestral tracks were recorded in Europe with The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Here’s the track listing:

01 IRIS
02 UNCHAINED MELODY
03 BURN FOR YOU (VIVO PER TE)
04 WICKED GAME (MELANCONIA)
05 ADAGIO
06 SAY SOMETHING (PARLAMI)
07 CREEP (AD OGNI COSTO)
08 HALLELUJAH
09 A THOUSAND YEARS (POR MIL AÑOS MÁS)
10 ALL OF ME (TODO DE MI)
11 FALLING SLOWLY
12 IL GLADIATORE FEATURING LUCY MAUNDER

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