Do Australia Have any Other Female Leading Ladies?

beside Caroline O'Connor.

I mean I love her and she's so talented but I'm tired of seeing her in every musical in Australia. Give someone else a chance tbh.

and how old is Fanny Brice supposed to be here

Nicole Kidman?

Naomi Watts?

Hugh Jackman?

Lucy Durack but she really is awful . Thats why I go to Broadway.

But Aladdin I might see it has a real leading lady

http://www.equityfoundation.org.au/industrial-admin/about-us.html

Looking forward to seeing Amy Lehpamer as DUSTY next month [and Todd McKenny-He was the original Boy from Oz--fantastic, then Hugh Jackman took over for Broadway]

Updated On: 10/27/16 at 12:56 AM

Suzie Mathers

I thought Marika Aubrey (currently Mrs Wormwood) was fantastic when I saw Matilda in Sydney, I'm hoping to see more of her in the future. Elise McCann (Miss Honey) is also wonderful.

I second Suzie Mathers. I was thrilled when I heard she was cast as Glinda on the West End.

PS...Chelsea Gibb ,fresh out of performing school was chosen to join Caroline O'Connor for the Australian tour of 'Chicago'---mega successful under the guidance of Ann Reinking.

and she,Chelsea, still looks and sounds great .[watch this space].

Updated On: 10/22/16 at 08:57 AM

Call_me_jorge said: "I have a few questions about Australian professional theatre.

what's the union? What's minimum wage? Is it more alike British equity or AEA? I noticed the Matilda cast in Australia have three sets of child actors like London so I'm guessing labor laws are strict there too. Is there an exchange program between AEA or British equity?

sorry for these random questions. I'm just really curious."

Replying to you separately because you brought up some interesting questions! ??

There actually isn't an exchange program or any sort of import/export agreement between Australia and other countries, which is a serious problem for our industry. Up until 4 years ago there was the Imported Artists Agreement which meant that productions were limited to only 1 imported principal and to cast an import the producers had to show Equity that they'd conducted a very thorough Australian casting process but were unable to cast anyone suitable. I believe there was also provision to allow emergency imports where an Aussie cast member was sick or injured, like when they brought Carmen Cusack out for Wicked in 2009.

However, in 2012 Live Performance Australia (the producers union) tore up the agreement without notice and have reportedly refused to even discuss entering a new one. So now producers can import as many performers as they like and Equity Australia has no leg to stand on. The issue really came to a head a few months ago with imports being brought in for Aladdin (Jasmine and Genie), My Fair Lady (Higgins) and Kinky Boots (Lola) and reportedly for the leads in next year's production of Book of Mormon.

As for child labour laws, they vary by state, but yes, they are very strict! Even in 1978 they had 2 girls playing Annie! Matilda actually has 4 Matildas, but only 3 sets of the other children. Every show with kids has multiple casts - Love Never Dies had 5 Gustaves! - and they usually have to recast for each city (unless they are only doing short runs in e.g. Perth and Adelaide, in which case they sometimes take kids from Sydney or Melbourne). The tour of The Sound of Music ended recently and the girl who played Liesl posted that she'd played big sister to 78 Von Trapp children across just over 300 shows!

Back in the early days of J C Williamsons, they as a theatrical Company didn't 'trust' Australian performers to star in imported musicals-Mame. Hello Dolly and imported 2nd rate no-name artists from America,

It wasn't until Nancye Hayes [still performing and directing] [Sweet Charity] and Jill Perryman [Funny Girl] that confidence was found and lead roles given to well deserved Australian talent.

Thanks to legend Betty Pounder who used to go to Broadway, watch the shows and come back and 're-create' all that she had seen. She worked for J C Williamsons at Her Majestys Theatre in Melbourne.

I often see local productions and just wish the world of musical theatre could be exposed to the talent that is here--Rhonda Burchmore-another amazing talent/voice but because of the size and population of this country-there just aren't the shows for all this talent-so many have to invent their own one person show-or entertain on cruise ships.

What about Marina Prior--was busking then became our biggest star Christine in Phantom[with Anthony Warlow]

Thank goodness for The Production Company[and I was offended by the remarks of someone above] that this company has existed for 20 years-thanks to the '80yo' and her generous nature and love of musicals-that they have given work to thousands and entertained tens of thousands of patrons. If it's not for you--don't go--simple-like Andre Rieu-if you don't like his style stay away, but millions do.

So Australia does have amazing talent-just saw Singin' in the Rain and the male lead Rohan Browne should be Broadway bound[his wife Christie Whelan-Browne was an amazing Ula].

Enough rambling if you have read this far but you can see I am passionate about 'local' talent.

PS--I have also left at interval many shows-the most recent was Little Shop of Horrors-hated it.

StephieE--Just got my tickets for Dusty--am sure you have yours-hope so as selling out.

Being so young--do you know the story and music of Dusty Springfield? If not I am sure you will have heard her songs but not know where they originally came from.

Her life story is remarkable and hopefully this will be revealed[or some of it] written by John Michael Howson.

SweetLips said: "StephieE--Just got my tickets for Dusty--am sure you have yours-hope so as selling out.

Being so young--do you know the story and music of Dusty Springfield? If not I am sure you will have heard her songs but not know where they originally came from.

Her life story is remarkable and hopefully this will be revealed[or some of it] written by John Michael Howson."

I sure do - front row centre! I'm a big fan of Amy so booked that one (and Curtains) right away - held off for discount tickets for Funny Girl. I'm going on one of the nights that John O'Hara is on for Todd McKenny as I love him too.

I definitely do know a lot of the songs, but none of the story, so that will all be new to me. John Michael Howson sure likes jukebox musicals based on singers doesn't he though? Shout, Dusty and now Dream Lover!