Performers Left Unpaid as David Venn Enterprises Enters Liquidation
David Venn Enterprises, known for staging major musicals, entered liquidation in 2024 with $7.5 million in debts.
By: Joshua Wright Jul. 15, 2025
Australian theatre production company David Venn Enterprises has collapsed with debts totaling $7.5 million, leaving dozens of cast and crew unpaid and sparking controversy over the launch of a new venture tied to the same producer.
As reported by Sky News Australia, David Venn Enterprises, the firm behind Elvis: A Musical Revolution and Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, went into liquidation in August 2024. The company left 77 creditors unpaid, including media agencies, hotels, Meta, and nearly $440,000 in outstanding pension payments. $744,000 had been distributed to former staff through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee program.
The liquidation report indicated the company may have traded while insolvent for over a year and identified 17 questionable director-related transactions.
Despite the financial collapse, a new company linked to David Venn, DV Live Pty Ltd, was incorporated in February 2025 and is now producing new shows including Thrones! The Musical Parody and Footloose: The Musical. Company records list Venn’s mother as director, while Venn remains the sole shareholder and lead producer.
Liquidator estimates suggest just $304,000 may be recovered for creditors. Venn said he hopes to repay affected parties when financially possible.
Australia - Melbourne Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL (Regent Theatre, Melbourne)
55.3% of votes
2.
TWELFTH NIGHT (St Kilda Botanical Gardens)
18% of votes
3.
MJ THE MUSICAL (Her Majesty's Theatre)
16.3% of votes
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