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.
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.
|
Pride And Prejudice* (*sort of) The Athenaeum (6/18-7/18) |
|
Curtain Call: The Hits of Broadway The MC Showroom (7/17-7/18) |
|
Influential The Slydini Showroom (7/07-7/11) |
|
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts (9/20-9/20) |
|
Menopause The Musical Athenaeum Theatre One (9/02-9/06) |
|
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi (9/22-9/22) |
|
Magic School with Tim Credible Arrow on Swanston (5/30-7/05) |
|
Inner Landscapes Melbourne Recital Hall (7/13-7/13) |
|
Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor Irene Mitchell Studio (7/18-7/18) |
|
Arts Centre Melbourne presents New Owner The Show Room, Arts Centre Melbourne (7/17-7/18) |