STAGES with Peter Eyers

In a very brief time, Alex Berlage has confirmed himself as a practitioner of tremendous skill, imagination and originality. As a highly accomplished and multi- awarded Lighting Designer and Theatre Director, he has navigated an impressive trajectory seeing him shape classical works, new Australian repertoire, self-devised creation and the musical! He is a graduate of the National Institute of Dra...

Jacqueline Dark grew up in Ballarat, Victoria - a precinct that fosters participation in the arts and hosts a collection of community theatre companies, choirs and orchestras - all with the intent to practice excellence and provide opportunity and experience to the enthusiastic novice. A youth spent performing in amateur musicals, theatre restaurant and operetta afforded Jacqui an opportunity to p...

Although portrayed as TV's Mr Nasty, Craig Revel Horwood is anything but. He is a wonderful raconteur, a generous spirit and a thoroughly charming bloke. That's not to say that he doesn't enjoy playing the role of Villain - as evidenced by examining his CV - countless pantomimes in the UK playing evil Dames, a lead role in the fourth instalment of the Nativity film series and his return to the Wes...

Tony Geappen has been a regular presence in commercial musical theatre for 50 years. A reliable character actor, blessed with a strong tenor voice, he has regularly been understudy to our great Musical theatre actors - and gone on 'in the role' many a time. Commencing a career in his youth, he was a child actor who performed on radio and in pantomime. A stint in London furthered performance opport...

After a successful period performing in major musicals around the country for a number of years, Andy Dexterity decided it was time to press pause for a bit and re-evaluate what he had to offer creatively - what more was there that he could contribute as a story-teller? The next theatrical phase of his career was to see him fuse his skills in dance, physical theatre, education and sign language in...

In 2012 I was visiting my home town of Ballarat and attended the Ballarat Lyric Theatre's production of HAIRSPRAY. Playing the part of 'Link Larkin' was a dynamic young man who could sing, dance and act with equal aplomb and radiated a quality that allowed him to command the stage and the audience. He was concurrently completing his VCE, and harbouring a desire to become a professional performer....

A life's work in performance has seen Penny Larkins depend on the voice. Carving a career as a singer with acapella group The Janes, studying in the Musical Theatre course at WAPPA and long runs in musicals that include MAMMA MIA and THE BOY FROM OZ, has taught Penny why the voice is such a valued and vital instrument for both the singer and actor. But performers are not the only ones to depend on...

John 'Robbo' Robertson is a true gentleman of the theatre. A showman of great charm and ability, he has been at the forefront of commercial theatre since 1956, when he dropped a career in accountancy to enter the business of Show! Just like the character of Leo Bloom in Mel Brook's THE PRODUCERS, the Accountant turned Producer - but 'Robbo's career trajectory saw him commence first as a Stage Mana...

Melbourne born soprano Maureen Howard was beloved by audiences and critics alike. At twelve years of age, she was a regular voice on the weekly 3DB Radio programme Swallows Juniorsand she later won the Vocal Section of television's Swallow's Parade. Though she studied singing from an early age, she wanted to be a hairdresser and, it was serendipitous that one of her 'clients' was associated with t...

Commencing his working life with a passion for teaching, John Nicholas Saunders is presently established as the dynamic Director of Education and Community Partnerships at The Sydney Theatre Company - a role that sees him guide the educational experiences for young audience members who attend the plays in their current season. It is a role that also takes him into schools, guiding teachers and stu...

Jonathan Biggins loathes all forms of social media. When I invited him onto STAGES, he told me he'd never listened to a podcast! I was thrilled to introduce him to the format. As one of Australia's preeminent writers, actors, directors and speakers, he comes with quite an intimidating pedigree. I tread carefully, only to be met with his immense charm and insightful opinions. Mr Biggins is thorough...

With over four decades, promoting and guiding major projects across Australia, Bruce Pollack is a veteran of the Entertainment Industry. He is one of our top Publicists and has been present at the launch of countless musicals, handled some of the world's biggest stars and sweet-talked the Media whilst juggling behind-the-scenes dramas and serving his clients effectively - getting the word out and...

On any successful theatre production, you'll find the key position is that of the Stage Manager. The role is a unique function because it serves as a key support to the director and production staff during the rehearsal period, and then becomes the figure in charge of the production during the actual performance. The running of the show rests on their shoulders. It's a vital role covering many fac...

Born in Adelaide it seemed destined that Jill Sykes would pursue a career in journalism. The family business was in Newspapers. Working at THE ADVERTISER (not yet owned by Rupert!), Jill completed a 4-year cadetship and immediately headed to London. She arrived in the middle of the 60s - a decade of experimentation, creativity, invention and a vibrant arts existence. Securing 'the longest holiday...

Caroline O'Connor is considered to be one of the foremost interpreters of musical theatre in the world. Projects have taken her from Sydney to Paris to London and the bright lights of Broadway in a vast array of leading roles, that are coveted by musical theatre performers at their peak. At 17 she won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. The discipline and routine of suc...

The role responsible for the most important component of any Musical, is the Musical Director. From finding the best vocal talents, collaborating with a Director, sourcing and guiding musicians, interpreting scores and leading the show at each performance - it is a role that requires great communication, organisation and tremendous responsibility. Making her mark in this role is Lucy Bermingham. B...

Martin McCallum's career trajectory has taken him from actor to stage manager to production manager to the Managing Director of the Cameron Mackintosh Organisation, overseeing the worldwide production of the English musical juggernauts, CATS, LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and MISS SAIGON. As a producer in his own right he has fostered the development of musicals that include THE FIX, TH...

STAGES very first guest, launching the podcast, was the legendary Toni Lamond - a woman of abundant talent and huge heart. It is a delight that we are going to bookend this very first season with her son, Tony Sheldon; our final guest for 2018. Born into a family dynasty of performers it would appear that Tony Sheldon's destiny was pre-ordained. Recognition as a talented youth saw him perform on I...

Maggie Blinco is an octogenerian who carries with her a life-time of experiences to fuel each character she plays. As an actor, she claims to be in a category 'all of her own' as far as roles go; especially when there doesn't seem to be many roles for actors in her age bracket. She didn't come to acting until late. Having done theatre at university, it wasn't until her late 30s that she turned pro...

Long before the availability of 24 hour News cycles, Netflix, Cable networks and Reality TV ..... companion stations to the urban networks existed all over regional Australia. BTV6 in Ballarat was one such station, providing reach to the communities of Ballarat and Western Victoria. It provided local content to service the population - news, commercials and variety. Following in the mould of offer...

Frank Van Straten is a performing arts historian, author and a former director of the Performing Arts Museum in Melbourne. You've probably read one of his insightful commentaries on the history of a musical or play, in a program you purchased whilst visiting a theatre. Van Straten was the first archivist of the Performing Arts Museum (now the Performing Arts Collection), at the Victorian Arts Cent...

I once heard Lisle Jones remark "I am married to the Theatre, but the Ballet is my mistress!" He is a man who relishes any discipline as long as it can produce a good story with clarity, passion and skill. An accomplished actor and director, he is from a school where you served an apprenticeship, learning how to craft your work on the job. By watching senior actors and devouring any experience tha...

Maureen Elkner has been singing since the sixties. Carving out a career as a rock/pop vocalist, she began her professional career in a trio called The Chiffons. After singing back-up for John Farnham and providing vocals on Russell Morris's classic 'The Real Thing', Maureen found her great success with the chart climber 'Rak Off Normie' - the follow up single to Bob Hudson's novelty hit 'The Newca...

Peter Fitzpatrick has managed to complete the impossible - a double biography of a father and son who were adept at leaving very little personal information. Peter has managed to garner copious information however, through the detective-like approach of the curious biographer. Using these discoveries, he has recorded perfect portraits and also extended our insight, by installing creative but inspi...

A facebook post from actor Tom Campbell recently gathered much traction. He cited that the entertainment industry was making much-needed advances in embracing racial, gender and sexual diversity in its casting decisions but was failing in its representation of actors he described as having "non-normative bodies". You see, Tom was born without a hand. Not that this has ever been a concern for him i...