Joan Lindsay News

Tick Tock Tick Tock. That was the sound that we heard the moment we enter the auditorium. All the casts were already on the stage, sitting on a chair with tables in front of them, acting as if we are not even there to saw them. Behind them there was a blackboard that says 'Perfectly Useless Movement'. The last Tick Tock was followed by a gong sound and JYPA's (Jakarta Youth for Performing Arts) Picnic at Hanging Rock opens with the thrilling announcement from all the girls on stage and the play begins.

The year is 1900, the location Appleyard College, a private girls' school near Melbourne, the date, St Valentine's Day. It's a blistering summer's day and four pupils and their teacher set off for a picnic at nearby Hanging Rock. They were supposed to be back in time for dinner. All but one vanish, never to be seen again.

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), together with Random House Studio and Dancing Ledge Productions, today announced an exclusive deal with visionary Brazilian author Paulo Coelho to develop the first-ever TV drama series based on his works. Exploring themes and characters from his novels The Devil and Miss Prym, Brida and The Witch of Portobello, the gripping crime thriller will explore the human condition, celebrating Coelho's multi-layered and inspirational storytelling.

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), together with Random House Studio and Dancing Ledge Productions, today announced an exclusive deal with visionary Brazilian author Paulo Coelho to develop the first-ever TV drama series based on his works. Exploring themes and characters from his novels The Devil and Miss Prym, Brida and The Witch of Portobello, the gripping crime thriller will explore the human condition, celebrating Coelho's multi-layered and inspirational storytelling.

On Friday, May 25, Amazon will premiere all six episodes of original mystery drama series Picnic at Hanging Rock, starring Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2), on Prime Video in the US. Based on Joan Lindsay's iconic Australian novel of the same name, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a limited series surrounding the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one teacher on Valentine's Day in 1900. The series revolves around the subsequent investigation and the event's far-reaching impact on the students, families and staff at Appleyard College, and on the nearby township. The series has already received critical acclaim following its recent premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival and has been selected for the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival this month.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to present TROIKA Entertainment's KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), April 3-8. Tickets start at $48 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office.

The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild is delighted to announce the Guild's 80th Anniversary Season which will include a 4pm matinee performance on the first Sunday of each of the mainstage productions.

Head to Nedlands Library on October 25 for A Day of Literary Feasting from 9.30am to 7pm plenty of mouth-watering sessions for book lovers, aspiring writers and anyone wanting to be inspired by authors and the written word.

TROIKA Entertainment is thrilled to present KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, S.D.

As reported on BroadwayWorld yesterday, the complete cast for the US National Tour of Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper's smash-hit musical, KINKY BOOTS, has been announced. Featured in the cast in the role of Don is South African-born Adam du Plessis, whom audiences may recall seeing in productions like THE LAST 5 YEARS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH and CATS.

TROIKA Entertainment has announced the complete cast for the National Tour of the smash-hit musical, KINKY BOOTS.

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK is the latest series to be added to the Amazon Prime Video US line-up following a deal with FremantleMedia International. The epic new series, starring Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Parts 1 and 2, In Darkness) as English headmistress Mrs Hester Appleyard, is a re-imagining of Joan Lindsay's timeless Australian novel.

You go on a blind date organized by your sister's husband or a work colleague, and you meet a complete stranger in a busy, inner-city cafe; What could possibly go wrong - apart from everything? Opposites attract in this uproarious romantic musical comedy about the chances we take to find love. When blind date newbie Aaron meets serial dater Casey, a first date turns into a hilarious high stakes dinner. In an unexpected twist, Aaron and Casey's inner critics' transform restaurant patrons into scheming exes, overbearing parents, and supportive best friends who sing and dance them through their date. Will Aaron and Casey be able to turn this disastrous date around before the check arrives?

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) presents the complete cast and creative team for the San Diego Regional Premiere of First Date. This musical comedy includes music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, with a book by Austin Winsberg. First Date marks the opening of SDMT's 2017 Off Broadway Series and features direction by J. Scott Lapp, music direction by Jon Lorenz, and choreography by Allison Spratt Pearce. Performances run from March 31 - May 7, 2017 at the Horton Grand Theatre. 

The 12th Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its much-anticipated three-day festival of brand-new works today, January 13, 2017 at The Goodspeed with a staged reading of the intriguing new musical Picnic at Hanging Rock by Daniel Zaitchik based on the cherished novel by Joan Lindsay.

The 12th Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its much-anticipated three-day festival of brand-new works on Friday, January 13, 2017 at The Goodspeed with a staged reading of the intriguing new musical Picnic at Hanging Rock by Daniel Zaitchik based on the cherished novel by Joan Lindsay.

When the daylight ends and the moon ascends, find yourself at Moonlight Amphitheatre for 'The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy.' The creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family we all know and love storms onto the Moonlight stage Today, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

When the daylight ends and the moon ascends, find yourself at Moonlight Amphitheatre for "The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy."

Angela Betzien's contemporary thriller, THE HANGING, explores the challenges of growing up, the need to belong, and the desire to protect in a world where young girls are expected to be young ladies that are seen but not necessarily heard.

When the daylight ends and the moon ascends, find yourself at Moonlight Amphitheatre for 'The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy.' The creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family we all know and love storms onto the Moonlight stage Wednesday, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.