STAGES with Peter Eyers

With over 230 episodes in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in previous seasons. STAGES spotlights such episodes, in case you missed them first time 'round - or so you can simply savour a second listen. Either way, you'll be accessing precious oral histories from the people who were there, on and around our stages. Kate Gaul has established herself as a distinctive and inventive director, with directing credits including plays, opera, physical theatre, devised works, and classics for theatre companies and schools in Australia. She is Artistic Director of Siren Theatre Company where her passion is for text-based drama which challenges artists and audiences to have bold imaginative experiences. She has been a considerable force in playmaking in Australia over the past 25 years. Directing premiere productions and new Australian works. Her directing folio has covered a broad repertoire of stories - The Laramie Project, The Trouble with Harry, Svetlana in Slingbacks, The Ham Funeral, Run Rabbit Run, The Moors and Good With Maps, to touch on a few. A champion of the work of Irish playwright Enda Walsh, she has directed productions of his plays Penelope, The New Electric Ballroom and Misterman - this last play receiving extensive glowing accolades and huge success at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival. Opera credits include Castor + Pollux (Pinchgut), Eight Songs for a Mad King (Verbruggen Ensemble), The Cunning Little Vixen (Sydney Chamber Opera), Hansel and Gretel (Pacific Opera), Il Matrimonio Segreto, English Eccentrics, Les Mamelles de Tiresias, Cendrillon (Sydney Conservatorium), Dialogues of the Carmelites, Die Fledermaus (WAPPA). For Opera Australia, Kate was the assistant director of Rigoletto (Opera Australia) Aida, Opera Australia's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour and revival director for the schools' production By the Light of the Moon, and OZ Opera production of Carmen, 2007. Kate directed a gender-bending H.M.S Pinafore for Hayes Theatre and its NSW tour in 2020. During the pandemic Kate has been a saviour in lockdown, regularly recommending a vast repertoire of world theatre that periodically played online. She has her finger on the pulse of exhilarating theatre and those who make it. If it's a must-see, Kate will urge us to see it. Kate Gaul is a vital artist and one whose productions never fail to impress, to engage and to prompt discussion. sirentheatreco.com The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Sonya Marturano has been a leading actor's Agent/Manager for over 20 years. She began her career at Kids Casting Agency in 1997 where she worked for 3 years and then opened up her own agency and talent studio in 2001. The Fame Talent Management & Studios operated for 7 years and in 2008 Sonya joined the team at Random Management, where where she has been actively involved in management for the past 12 years. She has worked with many young actors in developing them for stage and screen. Having her own children involved in the entertainment business, she knows very well what it's like to be a parent of a young performer. She is aware of the sacrifices made to give children the opportunities to help them succeed in a challenging industry. Talent Box is the Youth Division of Random Talent Management. They are Australia's leading youth talent agency specialising in the development of young talent for the stage & screen. The talented client base at Random Management and Talent Box have worked locally and Internationally. Sonya provides an insightful look at the work of an Actor's Agent, and candid advice to the young performer, and their parents, considering a career as an actor. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

With over 230 episodes in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in previous seasons. STAGES spotlights such episodes, in case you missed them first time 'round - or so you can simply savour a second listen. Either way, you'll be accessing precious oral histories from the people who were there, on and around our stages. Janet Holmes à Court is charming, astute and informed; recognising the supreme necessity for us all to celebrate and embrace the arts across all genres. She grew up in a household infused with the arts. Her parents instilled in her an enduring love of art, music and theatre. Ms Holmes à Court is recognised as a leading philanthropist and a major collector of indigenous art, which contributes to an extensive collection, much of which is loaned to public galleries around the world. She has guided, chaired and managed strong associations with arts organisations such as the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Australian Children's Television Foundation, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG). It is a career of vast artistic governance and leadership. Janet was a founding patron and chairperson of Western Australia's Black Swan Theatre Company, recognising the enormous benefit of a state theatre company that traverses local and indigenous stories, and explores an expansive repertoire of classic, and international works. Janet Holmes à Court was featured in season two, during a STAGES visit to Perth. She was one of several creatives joining STAGES to converse and celebrate the immense artistic output and creation that has emanated from and continues to thrive in Western Australia. The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Ash Hodgkinson fell in love with magic and started busking in the streets of Sydney when he was just eleven years old. Magic became a passion that opened doors and he quickly started performing through his teens, across the country and internationally, on stage and on TV. As a young boy he experienced ADHD and anxiety. Magic provided a focus to manage this. His live shows collected awards along the way; the Sydney Fringe Festival - Best Kids Entertainment, Overall winner at Short and Sweet Comedy and Magic Festival, Australian Junior Magic Champion and New Zealand Magic Champion. Performances included public and corporate gigs, but the best shows of all were the shows in children's hospitals and the slums of India. These experiences confirmed in Ash a belief that finding good vibes whatever your circumstances can, and should be, a global message. This was the seed from which the @ashmagic channel grew and connected with a global audience providing magic, behind the scenes tutorials, comedy skits, but also connecting with the audience through comments and responses as only social media can. Every day Ash's videos are driven by his mantra of "love, accept and respect". Unlike traditional channels, Ash will regularly post videos to his followers with positive affirmation messages and promoting mental health self care. All videos are original, scripted, directed, filmed and edited by Ash. Ash has pursued his passion for Acting too in completing a course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. He has practiced this craft as a core cast member of the television series R.F.D.S. playing Henry Harrod on the Channel 7 program. It is Ash's unique approach to the @ashmagic channel which is the subject of the biography "Real Magic by Ash Magic" commissioned by Penguin Random House and released recently in August. Ash is enthusiastic, energetic and excited - to pursue his passions and to spread optimistic messages of acceptance, inclusion, respect - and following your dreams. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

With over 230 episodes in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in previous seasons. STAGES showcases such episodes in case you didn't catch them, first time around - or perhaps for you to enjoy, a second time. Either way, you're accessing vibrant oral histories of around, and on, our stages. A variety of performance roles in the ranks of JC Williamson produced musicals, gave Jan Russ a first-hand knowledge of the actor's craft. Her informed eye, and passion for talent, ultimately lead her to a role in which she was able to guide and nurture actors as they entered residency in one of Australia's most iconic locations; Ramsay street, Erinsborough. Casting came calling initially to Jan through Crawford productions - the production house responsible for an extensive repertoire of great Australian content. A move to the Grundy organisation provided a casting role that oversaw the population of Wentworth Detention centre in the iconic series Prisoner. It wasn't long before she was on the ground floor of a new series, originally titled Living Together. It would eventually be christened NEIGHBOURS and go on to become part of the echelon of Australian Television history, and make its mark around the world. For almost 30 years Jan was the Casting Director of this television juggernaut - Neighbours. Jan possesses an infinite knowledge of the craft of acting on stage and screen. She is a living legend and a fine raconteur who converses with enormous joy and ardour; giving STAGES a fascinating insight to the business of casting and a unique journey in the theatre. Jan was guest No: 42 and featured in Season 2 of the STAGES podcast.

Putting on a show is one of life's great joys. The process creates community, cultivates creativity and brings live performance to audiences who crave a didactic and entertaining experience from the theatre. Commercial, amateur and educational bodies who wish to procure the rights to present a musical must first apply to the representative of the authors of such properties. Whether you're an established professional or a community theatre, a licence to present a work must be obtained, to ensure the intellectual property is protected and the necessary parties receive their rightful compensation. Music Theatre International is one such agent managing an extensive library of classic and contemporary Musical fare. MTI was founded in 1952 by American composer and lyricist Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker. MTI's catalogue includes legendary shows ranging from Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, to popular titles like Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors and Mamma Mia! The company also represents the majority of works of Stephen Sondheim, as well as all the stage productions of Disney Theatrical and Cameron Mackintosh (including The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables). In an attempt to make many of these titles user-friendly for a variety of keen theatre-makers, MTI has adapted many of the shows for the BROADWAY JUNIOR arm of the company. The modified editions have been a great salvation of many teachers and youth theatre groups as the show becomes more manageable and performer and audience friendly. Stuart Hendricks is the Managing Director of Music Theatre International, Australasia and knows only too well the benefits of story-telling with showtunes. His creative and collaborative approach to providing access to the shows for professional, community and school producers, his passion for every work and the form of musical theatre and his equal respect for the elements of 'show' and 'business' make him the perfect guardian for this vast collection of shows. Stuart joins STAGES to elaborate on the history of the company, the many ways it serves its clients and the triumph and challenge of mounting a show! The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

The legendary Toni Lamond requires no introduction. She is synonymous with Australian Entertainment having made her mark across all genres; television, film, theatre, cabaret, recording, concert, publications and of course, musical theatre. Showbiz is in her DNA; all of her family members have contributed significantly to the arts, in Australia; and internationally. It is indeed the family business! Toni Lamond exudes vast optimism and palpable passion - traits that have been steadfast in navigating her illustrious career. A career that has included a number of firsts. Lamond lead the company of The Pajama Game as Babe Williams in J. C. Williamsons first foray into casting a musical with a company of Australian performers. And she was the first to host a television show as a guest host of infinite charm on GTV 9s, In Melbourne Tonight. Toni was the inaugural guest on STAGES in 2018, sharing with us a long life of triumph, challenge and dedication. She shared insights into a stellar career that made her one of our first, bona-fide stars.

Marcia Hines is an iconic presence in Australian entertainment. She is beloved by colleagues and audiences on the concert stage, television and theatre. With a career spanning five decades, she has released 22 albums, selling 2.6 million copies, and has garnered countless chart-topping singles and multi-platinum records. Marcia is an inspiration to women and Australians everywhere, constantly reinventing herself and setting industry benchmarks. She moved from Boston Massachusetts to Sydney at just 16 to star in the Australian production of Hair, she created history being the first black woman to star as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and she has advocated ceaselessly for diabetes. Marcia was Australian Idol's favourite judge for the show's seven consecutive years, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007. She received the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for her services to the Australian Entertainment Industry as a performer, judge and mentor, and to the community through a range of charitable organisations. She's been a favourite thespian too! A succession of stage musicals have demonstrated her range and consummate skill in telling a story through song. Her impressive resume of stage triumphs include Jerry's Girls, Big River, Velvet, Velvet Rewired, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and Saturday Night Fever. In early 2020, Marcia became 'The Dragon' in the long-awaited Australian premiere of Shrek The Musical. Whether recording artist, judge, mentor, advocate or actor, the legendary former 'Queen of Pop' shows no sign of letting up! The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Australian tenor and composer David Hobson is one of Australia's best-known operatic, concert and stage performers, with a repertoire that spans the gamut of musical styles from Baroque through to Pop. Beginning his career in rock and jazz bands, David's potential as a 'classical' singer was discovered by the Victoria State Opera in the 1980s. He subsequently made his name with Opera Australia in his award winning performance of Rodolfo in La Boheme directed by Baz Luhrmann. Since then he has gone on to become a well regarded classical performer, major recording artist, most recently a music theatre leading man and a frequent television performer on shows like Carols By Candlelight, Carols in The Domain, Spicks and Specks, Dancing With the Stars, It Takes Two, and as a presenter on Foxtel's Studio. He has performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in the Great Hall in Canberra and sung at the AFL Grand Final. His many operatic roles include Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Count Almaviva (The Barber of Saville), Nadir (Pearl Fishers), Lindoro (L'Italiana in Algeri), Belmonte (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Nemorino (l'elisir d'amore), Eisentein (Die Fledermaus), Danilo (The Merry Widow), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance) Nanki-Poo (The Mikado), Marco (The Gondoliers), Ralph Rackstraw (H.M.S. Pinafore), the Defendant (Trial By Jury), the title roles in Orphee and Candide, The Architect in the world premiere of The Eighth Wonder and, most recently, Caractacus Potts in the Australian premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. His international roles include Chevalier Danceny in Dangerous Liaisons with Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson for San Francisco Opera. Recordings include The Promise, A Little Closer, Presenting David Hobson, The Exquisite Hour, Cinema Paradiso, French and Italian Arias, Handel Arias, Inside This Room, Tenor and Baritone (with Anthony Warlow), You'll Never Walk Alone (with Teddy Tahu-Rhodes) and Singing for Love (with Yvonne Kenny). He is Musica Viva's In Schools Ambassador, an Ambassador for Heart Kids and Patron of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Australian tenor and composer David Hobson is one of Australia's best-known operatic, concert and stage performers, with a repertoire that spans the gamut of musical styles from Baroque through to Pop. Beginning his career in rock and jazz bands, David's potential as a 'classical' singer was discovered by the Victoria State Opera in the 1980s. He subsequently made his name with Opera Australia in his award winning performance of Rodolfo in La Boheme directed by Baz Luhrmann. Since then he has gone on to become a well regarded classical performer, major recording artist, most recently a music theatre leading man and a frequent television performer on shows like Carols By Candlelight, Carols in The Domain, Spicks and Specks, Dancing With the Stars, It Takes Two, and as a presenter on Foxtel's Studio. He has performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in the Great Hall in Canberra and sung at the AFL Grand Final. His many operatic roles include Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Count Almaviva (The Barber of Saville), Nadir (Pearl Fishers), Lindoro (L'Italiana in Algeri), Belmonte (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Nemorino (l'elisir d'amore), Eisentein (Die Fledermaus), Danilo (The Merry Widow), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance) Nanki-Poo (The Mikado), Marco (The Gondoliers), Ralph Rackstraw (H.M.S. Pinafore), the Defendant (Trial By Jury), the title roles in Orphee and Candide, The Architect in the world premiere of The Eighth Wonder and, most recently, Caractacus Potts in the Australian premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. His international roles include Chevalier Danceny in Dangerous Liaisons with Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson for San Francisco Opera. Recordings include The Promise, A Little Closer, Presenting David Hobson, The Exquisite Hour, Cinema Paradiso, French and Italian Arias, Handel Arias, Inside This Room, Tenor and Baritone (with Anthony Warlow), You'll Never Walk Alone (with Teddy Tahu-Rhodes) and Singing for Love (with Yvonne Kenny). He is Musica Viva's In Schools Ambassador, an Ambassador for Heart Kids and Patron of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

In our first episode Marina described her artistic life growing up, and the audition that changed her life. She scored the lead role of Mabel in the 1983 production of The Pirates of Penzance, alongside Jon English, Simon Gallaher, David Atkins and June Bronhill. In Part 2 of STAGES conversation, we launch into further story and reflection of a life in the theatre, working on iconic shows like Cats, Les Mis and the Phantom of the Opera in an insightful instalment - celebrating the magnificent career of a dynamic leading lady - Marina Prior. Marina has played leading roles in over thirty productions including The Pirates of Penzance, Cats, Les Miserables, Die Fledermaus, Anything Goes, West Side Story, The Secret Garden, Showboat, The Merry Widow, The Witches of Eastwick, Noises Off, Harp on the Willow, Annie Get Your Gun, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Hypocrite, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,Guys & Dolls, Mary Poppins, Promises Promises, The Sound of Music, Hello Dolly, Hay Fever, Fun Home and Dream Lover. Marina's recordings include Leading Lady (which reached platinum status), Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber (which reached gold status and for which she was nominated for an ARIA award), Somewhere - the Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein and, more recently, Both Sides Now, Encore and Christmas Candlelight. In 2006, she was honoured with induction into Australia's 100 Entertainers of the Century. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Marina Prior is regarded as Australia's leading lady of musical theatre. She is best known for her lead role in The Phantom of the Opera which she played for over three years. She has also performed with international stars including Richard Harris, José Carreras and international vocal group Il Divo. Marina has played leading roles in over thirty productions including The Pirates of Penzance, Cats, Les Miserables, Die Fledermaus, Anything Goes, West Side Story, The Secret Garden, Showboat, The Merry Widow, The Witches of Eastwick, Noises Off, Harp on the Willow, Annie Get Your Gun, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Hypocrite, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,Guys & Dolls, Mary Poppins, Promises Promises, The Sound of Music, Hello Dolly, Hay Fever, Fun Home and Dream Lover. Whilst she is well known to television audiences through her appearances on Carols by Candlelight and as a judge on Channel Seven's top rating It Takes Two. In 2015, Marina starred in the ABC television series The Divorce. Marina's recordings include Leading Lady (which reached platinum status), Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber (which reached gold status and for which she was nominated for an ARIA award), Somewhere - the Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein and, more recently, Both Sides Now, Encore and Christmas Candlelight. Over the years, she has won numerous awards for her performances on stage as well as an Advance Australia Award for her contribution to the performing arts. In 1999, Marina was surprised on stage by the television program This is Your Life which celebrated her life in the Arts. In 2006, she was honoured with induction into Australia's 100 Entertainers of the Century. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Broadway is back! A swag of productions that were forced into an extended hiatus, upstaged by Covid, are back in theatres on the Great White Way. The return to the business of show coincides with the 74th Tony Awards ceremony. The event takes place on September 26th at The Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway. STAGES is joined in this episode by two-time Tony winner; Producer John Frost. Known affectionately as Frosty the Showman; impresario John Frost has been at the pinnacle of Musical Theatre in Australia for several decades. The Gordon Frost Organisation has contributed much of the commercial product that has filled theatres and graced stages around the country. His productions have garnered a swag of local awards as well as Tony Awards for productions of The King & I and Hairspray. Locally he has presented Australian productions of Broadway fare that has included Wicked, Big River, The Producers, Legally Blonde, Chicago and Pippin. Frosty reflects on his various attendances at the Tony Awards and the thrill of being acknowledged by the Broadway community. He also ponders our own Helpmann Awards, describes the recent transition of the Gordon Frost Organisation to Crossroads Live, and hints at what he could be presenting in 2022. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

With over 230 episodes in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in previous seasons. STAGES showcases such episodes in case you didn't catch them, first time around - or perhaps for you to enjoy, a second time. Either way, you're accessing vibrant oral histories of around, and on, our stages. Reg Livermore is one of our greatest showmen. A trailblazer whose career has encompassed roles as playwright, performer, presenter and one of the country's finest actors. His artistry is iconic and his pioneer performances in a succession of one-man masterpieces birthed characters such as Betty Blokk Buster, Vaseline Amilnitrate, Irene, Beryl and Leonard. Such personas perfectly entwined risqué and social sensibilities; and cheekily unsettled, and aroused, an awakening Australian audience. Reg is a composite super-talent informed by burlesque, vaudeville, music hall, weimar cabaret, the ballet, the opera, the classics and Gilbert & Sullivan - all forms have contributed to a most unique and vital talent. His work has transformed the Australian theatre industry. Cavorting in a pair of high-heels in the original Rocky Horror Show; he then developed a small cameo in Jesus Christ Superstar, into a 9-minute showstopping star-turn. He stirred profound empathy in the seminal musical Hair and in subsequent turns on the Musical stage he has given us an assortment of vivid portrayals - P. T. Barnum, The Wizard of Oz, Max Biallystock, Dr Pangloss, Henry Higgins and Alfred P. Doolittle. Our theatre heritage is richer because of his countless contributions on stage and off. He has offered us a chance to laugh at ourselves, embrace the mischievous and be changed by reverberant and dynamic performances. Reg was featured in Season 2 of the STAGES podcast in a 2-part conversation.

During our second season, STAGES was delighted to connect with Australia's original Eliza Doolittle, Bunty Turner. In 1950's Australia the Original Cast Recordings of the West End and Broadway productions of My Fair Lady, became highly sought treasures. Families gathered at homes to 'Get to the Church on time' and 'Dance all Night' dreaming of when the show would arrive in Australian theatres - 'Wouldn't it be Loverley?' Eager to replicate the productions in London and New York, J.C.Williamsons imported American creatives and secured a principal cast from the UK. 'The Firm' had a policy at the time of preferring to cast lead players that they could bill as "direct from the West End" even if unknown. It was felt that an actor with that billing would always attract larger audiences than an Australian. These were pioneering days in the commercial theatre, but the seed for an Australian Company of players had commenced a few years earlier with The Pajama Game. Leading the Original Australian company of My Fair Lady was Bunty Turner. Born in Northern Ireland she had established herself as a singer of great skill in London productions of Free As Air, The Dancing Years and Hansel & Gretel. The original production of My Fair Lady in this country enjoyed tremendous success and launched a second company that toured Australian capitals and New Zealand. Bunty played the role of Eliza in productions throughout Australia, London and South Africa. Bunty is a delight. She is effervescent and her joy is contagious. She possesses great charm, class and cheeky humour. One can easily understand why she made the perfect 'Eliza Doolittle'.