Let Me Entertain You

Gareth Isaac makes his professional debut as Robertson Ay in Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Mary Poppins the musical [Michael Cassel], currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, ahead of its Australian tour. I was thrilled to speak to Gareth about making his professional debut and the magic behind the musical. Enjoy! Tickets: marypoppinsmusical.com.au [Michael Cassel Group...

With the Mary Poppins musical opening in Sydney, I travelled to Bowral NSW. Over a hundred years ago, the author PL Travers OBE (birthname, Helen Lyndon Goff) lived with her mother and two young sisters, after the death of their father. Extensive research has uncovered Bowral as the birthplace of the character 'Mary Poppins', providing a lot of inspiration for her books. I speak to local historian...

The sound design for An American In Paris, the musical [GWB Entertaintment] is an all-Australian creation by Kelvin Gedye (System Sound). There are so many sound challenges to this musical production, as the performers sing, dance, act, dance, tap dance and perform ballet all on a sprung floor. I was thrilled to speak to Sound Technician Jackson Skandrett, assistant to Kelvin, to find out more abo...

Based on the beloved 1951 movie, directed by Vincent Minelli, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron - ‘An American In Paris’ has been adapted into an award-winning stage musical, with the songbook of Ira and George Gershwin. Ahead of their Sydney debut at The Theatre Royal, I was thrilled to speak to three stars, including two original cast members - Robbie Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan) from New York...

Producer Suzanne Jones is so inspiring as a woman and leader in her field. I was thrilled to speak to her ahead of International Women’s Day and the Australian premiere of 9 To 5 The Musical at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. The musical is based on the 1980 movie of the same name, we talk about the 42 year legacy which the film honors, all things Dolly Parton (who wrote all the music and lyrics), as...

Tony Sheldon (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sydney Theatre Awards, the first live awards hosted in two years since the pandemic. I was so thrilled to talk to an idol of mine. Tony was surprised on the night with the award and an accompanying performance by his peers was dedicated to him. I was thrilled to spe...

Thrilled to speak to Christian Charisiou (Robbie Hart) and Teagan Wouters (Julia Sullivan) in the Australian premiere of The Wedding Singer the musical, ahead of their Sydney debut at the State Theatre. We discuss the original film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and the challenges of touring in post-covid times (the musical's Sydney opening has been paused three times).  Good news, the m...

Meet the real Bonnie! Bonnie Harris is the Manager of the Gander Animal Hospital, SPCA. There were more than just 7000 passengers who were diverted to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, on September 11, 2001 - there were 19 animals, as seen in the musical, Come From Away. You will love this interview, how found the animals and how the musical is giving back to the musical. This is part 3 of 3 o...

Meet the real Bob! Tom McKeon from New York was travelling home on September 11, 2001, when his flight was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. Tom was one of the 'plane people' and his story inspired the character 'Bob' in the musical, Come From Away. You will love this story and Tom's gratitude to the people of Newfoundland. This is part 2 of 3 of the Special Come From Away podcast. For the...

Meet the real Beulah!! Beulah Cooper inspired the character 'Beulah Davis' in the musical, Come From Away (it's a composite character along with fellow Newfoundlander Diane Davis). Beulah was the Treasurer and Provincial President of the Ladies Auxiliary, for the Royal Canadian Legion on September 11, 2001, when 38 planes carrying 7000 passengers were diverted to land in Gander, Newfoundland Canad...

Gene Weygandt stars as Mayor Claude Elliott (& Others) in the Australian production of Come From Away. The Sydney debut of the musical was paused last year due to the pandemic and has finally opened at the Capitol Theatre. I was thrilled to speak to Gene about the important message in the musical, coming to Australia to undertake this role, as well as his trips to Newfoundland and more. Note:...

Phillip Lowe stars as Nick (& Others) in the Australian production of Come From Away. I was thrilled to speak to Phillip about the musical's message and taking the stage each night with his wife, Zoe Gertz who stars as Beverley (& Others). The Sydney debut of the musical was paused last year, due to the pandemic and has finally opened at the Capitol Theatre. Note: This interview was record...

Hamilton the musical has finally arrived in Australia and is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre to 100% audience capacity (which is a huge!). Due to the worldwide covid19 pandemic, the Australian production is currently the only place in the world to see this musical. After their first performance, I spoke to excited Hamilfans leaving the theatre, eager to talk about their love for the...

Joe Accaria (Sweet Charity, Velvet Rewind, Tap Dogs) is the creator, composer and musical director of Drummer Queens- eight talented female percussionists in a musical experience and theatrical show, now having its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Joe was awarded Best Original Score Helpmann Award (Smoke and Mirrors cabaret) and has an extensive resume working as a session musician, rec...

Historic. At the Disney's Frozen the musical's opening night which marked the reopening of the Capitol Theatre Sydney (post-covid), I catch up with Doug Hansell who plays Kevin T (& others) in the hit musical Come From Away will now debut in July 2021 at this very theatre. Doug reflects on the year, lockdowns and returning to the show for an encore in Melbourne, Brisbane and finally Sydney- wi...

Historic. At the Disney's Frozen the musical's opening night which marked the reopening of the Capitol Theatre Sydney (post-covid), I catch up with Nat Jobe (Shrek, Aladdin, Lion King) who stars as Donkey in Shrek. I had interviewed Nat in January 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre as he made his professional debut. In March, the COVID19 pandemic closed theatres and had stopped this tour. Hear how t...

Rodney Dobson (Chicago, My Fair Lady, Wicked) at the PIPPIN Opening Night, the musical that marks the official reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, Rodney completed the Australian tour of Chicago starring as Amos and was announced to star as Ben Weatherstaff in the 25thanniversary of The Secret Garden (Gordon Frost...

Robert Tripolino (RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin: AUS/West End) at the PIPPIN Opening Night, the musical, the official reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Robert has returned from London in his stand-out role as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, hear more about his family-owned 'Geelong Palais Theatre', set to reopen in...

Ashleigh Rubenach (Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, Cry Baby) and Stephen Madsen (Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, The View Upstairs) catch up after the PIPPIN opening night to talk about the return of the industry, the reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been dark since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have both performed on the Lyric stage together in Muriel’s Wedding the musical,...

At the reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre (post-covid), the Opening Night of PIPPIN, a very brief catch-up with the darling Trevor Ashley (Ring Them Bells, Dir. Heather, Les Miserablès), who has just come off the stage hosting and co-producing the return of Show Queen, a monthly cabaret show that was one of the first live performances to return onstage since July 2020 when restrictions eased, g...

Historic, post-covid. The Australian premiere of PIPPIN [Gordon Frost, Foundation Theatres] has reopened the Sydney Lyric Theatre - becoming the first commercial musical to open in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a historical moment for Australian musical theatre (and my first time being back in a theatre since March 2020). Still in COVID-19 regulations, short socially distanced interviews with L...

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic ground our industry to a halt. Tours were cancelled, many out of work and our theatres went dark. In Australia, we have been fortunate our Ghostlights have been turning off and the theatre industry is opening back up. 2020 has been unlike any year we have experienced, we've got interviews to bring to you!! so thank you for listening and your continued support Let Me...

'The Secret Garden' returns to Australia for the 25th anniversary tour, with Anthony Warlow reprising his role as Archibald Craven. I was thrilled to speak to Rodney Dobson who will star as Ben Weatherstaff, at the launch ahead of the opening in August 2020 and hear more about his character the beloved musical. Tickets: The Secret Garden Follow: Rodney Dobson Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - In...

'The Secret Garden' returns to Australia for the 25th anniversary tour, with Anthony Warlow reprising his role as Archibald Craven. I was thrilled to speak to Alinta Chidzey who will star as Martha, at the launch ahead of the opening in August 2020. Hear more about her character this beloved musical. Tickets: The Secret Garden Follow: Alinta Chidzey Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram |...

From the 2019 Glug Awards in Sydney, I was thrilled to speak to Elenoa Rokobaro, who was awarded 'The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Performance by a female actor in leading role in a musical' for her starring role as Caroline in, 'Caroline Or Change'. Follow: Elenoa Rokobaro Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube