Ben Mingay News

Victorian Opera’s incoming Artistic Director Stuart Maunder AM revives his a deliciously dark but incredibly clear expression of Stephen Sondheim (Music and Lyrics) and Hugh Wheeler’s (Book) SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – A MUSICAL THRILLER.

The residents of Fleet Street have arrived in town ahead of the Sydney Opera House season of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with rehearsals now underway for the murderous musical opening on July 22.

Opera Australia (OA) has announced its 2024 Sydney Summer Season with guest Creative Director Lindy Hume presenting five Sydney Opera House premieres, having been invited by CEO Fiona Allan to curate the season.

With generous servings of greed, lust, and vengeance, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is coming to the Sydney Opera House this winter from 22 July to 27 August. 

Producers of La Cage aux Folles, returning for an exclusive gala season at The Concourse in Chatswood from 30 November 2022, have announced that Michael Cormick has had to pull out of playing Georges due to an ongoing medical issue with actor, musician and international musical theatre performer, Ben Mingay (Frayed, Shrek the Musical), stepping into the role.

Season two of the dramedy kicks off in London, where the lives and secrets of the Cooper family continue to unravel as they deal with the ramifications of season one’s explosive finale, and their Australian past insists on catching up with them. The series stars creator and writer, Sarah Kendall. Watch the new trailer now!

Last night, QPAC's Lyric Theatre transformed into our favourite green ogre's swamp and it is quite the spectacle. And the musical spares no expense with only the most dazzling costumes, set and puppets. Whilst I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I'd be laughing and cheering through a mask at the theatre, it was worth it to be immersed in such a world of colour, hope and love. From Fiona getting her own fairytale ending, to Farquad re-uniting with his long-lost father, to the Pinocchio finally accepting himself for who he was... the musical has it all.

The wait is finally 'ogre'!  Shrek The Musical will open its Queensland premiere season in Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Lyric Theatre tonight Thursday 14 January 2021 running until 7 February 2021. 

ALL-STAR ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN LEAD CAST CONFIRMED FOR SHREK THE MUSICAL AT QPAC

Originally live streamed as 'Friday Night Live!' during the great lockdown of 2020, 'FNL ... Alive and Unlocked!' will be unleashed in the Sydney Festival from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 January 2021.  The season will be live on stage and live streamed to the universe across selected performances. 

To be released throughout Mental Health Month (October 2020), SOUND MIND is a series of six new 12-15 minute online music-centred episodes exploring mental health and the performing arts.

Live from The Reservoir Room this week, FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE will showcase our two Saturday Night performers Mark Trevorrow and Matt Copley  who will also be joined by special guests Ben Mingay, Prinnie Stevens and the cast of Who's Your Baghdaddy?

Catherine Alcorn, together with three-time Gold Logie nominee, RODGER CORSER will host Australia's newest virtual venue THE RESERVOIR ROOM.  

The coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has devastated the Australian theatre industry. While the closure of theatres has significantly helped fight this pandemic by ensuring social distancing, Australian arts' workers have been left with the grim reality of unemployment. Despite this sudden and unforeseen shutdown of theatre, the comradery and resilience of those working in entertainment continues to shine. This is evident in the hard work of James Cutler and Joshua Robson Productions who have ensured that the show will go on, by establishing an outstanding performance initiative called LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY].

James Cutler and Joshua Robson Productions have announced a special and unique online concert which will shine a light on the Australian musical theatre industry and support performers whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 arts shutdown. LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS [HOME DELIVERY] will be held on Monday 11 May from 7pm.

Australia's leading theatre producer John Frost today announced the four young actresses who will play the role of Young Princess Fiona during the Melbourne season of the multi-million dollar musical comedy SHREK THE MUSICAL. This lavish and fun musical plays at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne from 16 February. The role of Young Princess Fiona will be shared in Melbourne by Charlize Costantin (9 years old, from Montmorency), Lilah Crotty (10, Coburg), Isobel Lauber (9, Doreen) and Charlotte Lundy (12, Highton).

Australia's largest home-grown café group, The Coffee Club, has launched its latest family-friendly promotion, turning stores and menus Shrek-themed and offering a money-can't-buy VIP experience for one lucky winner.

Jeanine Tesori (Music) and David Lindsay-Abaire's (Book and Lyrics) SHREK THE MUSICAL opened in Sydney to the delight of the summer holiday audience.

Final tickets for the Sydney season of the multi-million dollar musical comedy SHREK THE MUSICAL go on sale on Friday 13 December, with pre-sales beginning today. This lavish and fun production will premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star from 1 January 2020 and run until 9 February, before seasons at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne from 16 February and the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from 9 May.

RSPCA NSW has been chosen as the charity partner of the lavish and fun multi-million dollar musical comedy SHREK THE MUSICAL, which premieres at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star from 1 January. Donkey, the Three Little Pigs, Ugly Duckling, Mama Bear and all the animals in SHREK THE MUSICAL were very excited when they heard the news.