Richard Piper News

There is not a weak link anywhere in this production.

Melbourne Theatre Company's 2017 Season opens in 1940s style with Garson Kanin's Broadway classic Born Yesterday a screwball romance that has plenty to say about the dark side of politics and the power of knowledge. 

One of the greatest crime novels of our times is given new life thanks to a razor-sharp stage adaptation by award-winning writer Tom Holloway. Under the expert direction of Sam Strong, Double Indemnity promises twice the ordinary payout in passion and intrigue when it makes its world premiere on Friday 3 June at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse.

Andrew Bovell's Helpmann Award winning adaptation of Kate Grenville's multiple award winning book, THE SECRET RIVER returns to the Sydney Theatre Company stage. The fictional work, based on history, challenges the audience to examine how they understand, misunderstand, react, interact and judge the things that are foreign and new to them.

The Secret River became an instant Australian classic following it's sold out success for the Sydney Theatre Company in 2013. It now returns for an encore season at Roslyn Packer Theatre in February 2016, followed by a tour to Brisbane's QPAC for the Queensland Theatre Company and to the Arts Centre, Melbourne.

As internationally renowned director Gale Edwards leads MTC's Ghosts into the second week of rehearsals, the Company is excited to learn that after more than 130 years, Ibsen's classic thriller has proved yet again to be a vital and exciting piece of theatre.

More than a hundred years since it alarmed censors, appalled critics and thrilled audiences Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts remains as sensational and electric as ever. Opening Thursday 22 May 2014 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, internationally renowned Australian director Gale Edwards returns to MTC to direct this unflinching critique of marriage and social convention.

As previously reported, following a successful run in Melbourne, the producers of KING KONG were planning to bring the mega-musical to Broadway in December 2014. Due to the 'huge scale of the production' and to allow the creative team necessary time to implement changes, the producers have decided 'to not rush in before the end of the year.'

Already off to a brilliant start with the standing-room only Private Lives and the much-discussed Cock also attracting good houses, Melbourne Theatre Company's 2014 Season just got brighter with the announcement of more stars who will come out to play this year.

Since it premiered in Melbourne last year, running on a budget of $30 million, producers have been eyeing KONG's Broadway debut - only saying that they were aiming for the 2014-15 season.

The new stage musical KING KONG - one of the greatest love stories ever told - features an all-Australian lead cast and a line-up of International Artistscontributing to the score. It is currently playing at the Regent Theatre.

According to The Age, the creators of the new Australian musical KING KONG are searching for a theater on Broadway. Global Creatures' producer Bill Harris, technical director Richard Martin and production designer Peter England are vetting theaters this week. The team is looking to launch KING KONG in the United States within the next two years.

There are 35 male aerialists, circus performers, puppeteers, actors, singers and dancers in KING KONG's massive cast of 51 - and now, audiences can see a whole lot more of them in DNA Magazine's issue #166 (on sale worldwide 24 October 2013). Check out a behind the scenes video of the shoot below!

Esther Hannaford, who plays Ann Darrow in Australia's musical spectacular KING KONG, performed one of the original songs from the show on Australian TV on Monday. 'A Simple Prayer' has not been seen outside the show before. Get a first listen below!

The new stage musical KING KONG recently opened at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the show is already casting its eye towards Broadway, with a hopeful launch as early as 2014. The production, which was originally slated to run through July 28, has extended again through October 6. In the videos below, go behind the scenes of the new musical and meet the cast and creative team!

The new stage musical KING KONG recently opened at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the show is already casting its eye towards Broadway, with a hopeful launch as early as 2014. The production, which was originally slated to run through July 28, has extended again through October 6. For tickets, visit http://www.ticketmaster.com.au

In his column at The New York Times, Patrick Healy has confirmed that producer Carmen Pavlovic and the rest of the KONG crew are set to bring the silverback titan to Broadway within the next year - if one of the few houses with the necessary space and fly room becomes available.

The new stage musical KING KONG just opened last weekend at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the show is already casting its eye towards Broadway, with a hopeful launch as early as 2014. The production, which was originally slated to run through July 28, has just extended through August 18. Click below to watch a video interview with stars Queenie van de Zandt and Richard Piper at the premiere after party!

The new stage musical KING KONG just opened this weekend at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the show is already casting its eye towards Broadway, with a hopeful launch as early as 2014. The production, which was originally slated to run through July 28, has just extended through August 18. Click below to watch the show's media call, the opening night red carpet and festivities, and extended footage from the new musical!