AustLit

'Nancye Hayes, Toni Lamond and Jill Perryman.1 As the first Australian women to be cast in leading roles in major productions, these performers paved the way for a long succession of Australian leading ladies, including Geraldine Turner (Chicago), Marina Prior (The Phantom of the Opera) and Debra Byrne (Sunset Boulevard). Through interviews with these four leading ladies, this article investigates the impact of earlier pioneers on current female performers, as well as outlining the current opportunities and challenges for female musical theatre performers in Australia. Other starring roles in musicals included the title role in Wildcat (1963), Nancy in Oliver (1966) and Rose in Gypsy (1975). After years of smaller roles and understudying (most notably in the 1965 Australian production of Hello Dolly, in which she played the leading role on numerous occasions), Perryman was cast as Fanny Brice in the 1966 national touring production of Funny Girl.' (Publication abstract)

'In the foyer of the Brisbane Powerhouse, the audience is greeted by a statement from co-creators Ursula Yovich and Josh Bond: “This story. Not black but white as well. To open up a conversation and come out the other side together.”'  (Publication summary)

'In June this year, the annual Helpmann Award Nominations sparked concern that original Australian musical theatre was in crisis. John Frost, one of the biggest producers of musical theatre in this country, stated “I don’t think there will be a great Australian musical”, and suggested musical writers move to New York or London.' (Introduction)