Simon Phillips News

David Campbell is set to return to the musical theatre stage for the lead role in the World Premiere production of Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical.

PHANTOM fans, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel is nigh! As of last fall, the rumored 2017 North American production of LOVE NEVER DIES had 'no set tour.' But now the legendary composer has revealed in a feature for BuzzFeed that the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA follow-up will 'make its way to Washington, D.C. next year.'

In 2016, Malthouse Theatre continues to support Australia's most inventive independent theatre-makers with important initiatives such as the Female Director in Residence program. Malthouse Theatre is thrilled to announce Janice Muller as the Director in Residence for 2016 as a part of this program, now in its sixth year.  

?Two of the jazz world's brightest stars Stanley Clarke and Hiromi are to set London's most famous stage alight as they make their debut UK appearance as a duo for one night only. Longstanding collaborators, mythic bassist Stanley Clarke and Japanese jazz pianist extraordinaire Hiromi released 2009's Jazz in The Garden and 2010's The Stanley Clarke Band featuring Hiromi, the latter winning the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Famed for their virtuoso instrumental command and explosive live performances, this is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the revered pair at a venue to which all performers aspire.

Melbourne audiences can now start the New Year in song and shimmering style, with the announcement that single tickets for MTC's glamorous new musical Ladies in Black go on sale today.

Melbourne Theatre Company opens its 2016 season in glittering fashion with the glorious new musical Ladies in Black, a celebration of glamour, gowns and growing up in 1950s Australia. Adapted from the Madeleine St John novel, The Women in Black, and brought to life by director Simon Phillips with songs by Tim Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House), this QTC production opens on Wednesday 20 January at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.

David Ian Productions and the Ambassador Theatre Group have announced that Scotland's very own Gavin Mitchell will play 'Bob' and Karen Dunbar will play 'Shirley' in the smash hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT when it plays at the Edinburgh Playhouse from Tuesday 15 December 2015 to Saturday 2 January 2016. They join Jason Donovan as 'Tick', Simon Green as 'Bernadette' and Adam Bailey as 'Felicia'.

Take an Italian opera and set it in the Australian outback in 1915, and the result is a witty and fun rendition of some of Donizetti's most glorious music. Earning 4 stars from The Sydney Morning Herald, this crowd pleaser is a must for both first time opera goers and seasoned opera lovers.

Die deutsche Erstauffuhrung  von LIEBE STIRBT NIE - PHANTOM II feierte am vergangenen Donnerstag im Hambuger Stage Operettenhaus seine Premiere. Die zahlreichen prominienten Premierengaste zeigten sich begeistert, die Pressestimmen waren allerdings durchaus gemischt. Unter dem Titel LOVE NEVER DIES hatte das Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical seine Urauffuhrung 2010 in London. Die Produktion, die nun in deutscher Übersetzung in Hamburg zu sehen ist, basiert auf der Melbourner Inszenierung von 2011.

TOUCHING THE DIVINE is the third studio album from Intelligent Music Project and the second all-star line-up, creating a remarkable infusion by its author and producer's musically erudite and unconventional style, and the full creative input of the legendary musicians. The production features session aces Simon Phillips (drums and percussion), Nathan East (bass) & Tim Pierce (guitars), and the remarkable voices of John Payne (ex-Asia) and Toto`s Joseph Williams, who bring their own flavor to all 14 equally outstanding pieces in the album. 

Since then an official site for the tour has gone up, but don't get too excited. Rick Miramontez, spokesman for ALW, has since given the following statement: 'Everyone at Really Useful Group is excited about the prospects of 'Love Never Dies' coming to America, but there is no set tour at present.'

Priscilla Queen of the Desert has had massive success all over the world since it opened in Sydney, Australia in 2006 - no more so than in this country where the show enjoyed a two-year run in London and is currently on its second UK tour. From place to place and on each outing, there always seems to be something slightly different (a change to a set piece or a new song) so the show is constantly in development, keeping it fresh. Just like the 1994 film, the musical production is feel-good throughout but does address serious issues along the way. Ultimately though, Priscilla has great morals filtering through a superbly written book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott.

Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Brett Sheehy AO today revealed MTC's 2016 Season - a year of remarkable theatre, entertainment and activity at Victoria's home of live storytelling.

Sydney Theatre Company's (STC) Artistic Director, Andrew Upton, has announced the 2016 season, the last of which he will program before the position is handed over to Jonathan Church at the end of 2015.

David Ian Productions and the Ambassador Theatre Group have announced the full cast for the UK tour of the international smash hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT opening on Thursday 20 August 2015 at the Manchester Opera House. www.priscillathemusical.com.

Following a sell-out season in 2015, the triumphant stage adaption of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest will be returning to Arts Centre Melbourne from 29 January 2016.

Dream Lover, The Bobby Darin Musical - a story about the legendary American singer, actor and musician - will hold its World Premiere in Sydney next year.

Harper Clements looks back over her forty years, working in the White House.

Melbourne Theatre Company is saddened to announce that much loved and respected actor Bob Horneryhas passed away. 

BroadwayWorld has just learned that the Phantom will soon return to America in the continuation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most beloved musical. Love Never Dies is set to tour North America in 2017. This is the highly acclaimed follow up musical to the 1986 love story The Phantom of the Opera set against the spellbinding backdrop of Coney Island. A German production is also set to open in Hamburg this fall.  Casting has not yet been announced.