Simon Phillips

10 years on and Priscilla Queen of the Desert stills stands as one of Australia’s best musical productions

A decade doesn’t seem like very long ago, especially when reminiscing of the very first time I saw this magical production make its debut. Priscilla Queen of the Desert transitioned from screen to stage when the concept of a movie-musical was still quite new, but cut to 2018, and it is almost the norm for the…

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Theatre Review: MTC’s production of Macbeth is a Hollywood action blockbuster on stage (Performances until July 15th)

If having Jai Courtney in the title role wasn’t enough to draw theatregoers in, let it be known that this modern-day reimagining of Shakespeare‘s Macbeth is like watching a Hollywood blockbuster come to life on stage. Right from the get-go, it’s as if we are immersed into the world of Mad Max with its rough guts…

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Interview: Geraldine Hakewill talks about her upcoming role as Lady Macbeth and how Shakespeare’s work continues to translate in 2017

It’s one of Shakepeare‘s most famous tragedies and the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) is bringing Macbeth to audiences with a modern day touch. Starring none other than Aussie actor Jai Courtney in the title role and Geraldine Hakewill as Lady Macbeth, this is sure to be an outstanding season of Australian theatre. Macbeth opens next week and the cast…

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Jai Courtney tops the bill in Melbourne Theatre Company’s new production of Macbeth

Melbourne Theatre Company have pulled together a powerhouse cast for their new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The production, directed by Simon Phillips, is the third and final instalment in a trilogy of Shakespearian reinterpretations directed by Phillips for Melbourne Theatre Company, following on from acclaimed productions of Hamlet and Richard III. Taking on the iconic…

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Theatre Review: Ladies in Black will be spoken about for years to come (Performances at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne to March 19)

It’s so refreshing when an original piece of work is brought to a wider audience, especially one that shines a light on a snippet of Australian history. Ladies in Black had such a successful premiere season last year that they’ve come back to delight audiences once again, this time touring to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and ending in…

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Sydney Festival Review: Ladies in Black is light, bright and fun (Performances to 22 January)

Based on the novel The Women in Black, by Madeline St John, Ladies in Black is that all too rare thing: an entirely new Australian musical. There is no mistaking the country in which this show is set – from the home-grown accents to the local suburbs referenced in the text, this is a musical…

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Sarah Morrison on donning her black dress again for the Sydney Festival

Landing the plum role of Lisa in last year’s world premiere of Ladies in Black was a dream come true for Sarah Morrison, who received critical acclaim for her performance. Now, Morrison is set to reprise the role of the young, starry-eyed school-leaver when the show finally hits Sydney next month. I started by asking…

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David Campbell to make a return to the stage in Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical

David Campbell (Les Misérables, Guys and Dolls) is set to return to the musical stage for the lead role in the world premier production of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical this September. NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres joined director Simon Phillips (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The…

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