From left to right: Jay Laga’aia, Brittanie Shipway, Sarah Murr (back) & Maxwell Simon
The Hayes Theatre Company brings one of its star productions to the Foundry Theatre stage, a 360-seat live entertainment venue, part of The Star complex in Sydney.
I captured production images of this musical last year at the Hayes Theatre and I was happy to re-visit Gilbert & Sullivan’s madcap and satirical masterwork. Directed by Richard Carroll, it is an inventive, re-booted and re-wired take on this classic.
It was a joy to capture these images, while the cast enthusiastically swashbuckled and frolicked on stage.
Rowan Witt, Kristina McNarama and Blake Erickson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has just finished its Hayes Theatre season to sell-out houses and rave reviews. The team is now about to start a new season at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta from 25 – 28 June, 2026. So if you missed this musical theatre gem at the Hayes you can catch it at Parramatta
I’m happy that I will get the opportunity to experience the show again as I am returning to shoot the dress rehearsal at the Riverside Theatre. It is not quite the same as sitting in the audience and being totally entertained by the world these actors create (I have to keep my mind and concentration on the job at hand), but it will be fun.
I’ve had the pleasure of contributing photography to the current production at the Hayes Theatre, Phar Lap – The Musical. This brand-new Australian work takes inspiration from the legendary racehorse Phar Lap and the mythology that surrounds him, blending history, humour and heart into a sharp, witty and wonderfully entertaining story.
My involvement began back in July with an initial studio shoot designed to create key promotional imagery for the production. During that session, I also captured a series of interviews with the cast, director and writer — offering insight into the creative process and the unique spirit of the show as it took shape.
Pictured: Justin Smith (plays Harry Telford, Joel Granger (plays Phar Lap), Sheridan Harbridge (Director) and Steven Kramer (Writer, music and lyrics)
More recently, I photographed the dress rehearsal, capturing the energy and visual richness of the full production. These images are now being used to further promote the season and highlight the incredible performances and vibrant staging that make this show such a standout.
I loved the music…..Phar Lap boasts an irresistible electro-swing score, with inspirations from Duke Ellington to Daft Punk. Brassy, lively and retro. I was concentrating on the photography, the angles, the action however, I found myself tapping my leg and moving to the beat.
The season is now in full swing at the Hayes, and it’s brilliant — smartly written, beautifully performed, and exceptionally funny. It’s always a thrill to collaborate with the team at Hayes Theatre and to help visually tell the story of a production that so perfectly celebrates Australian talent and storytelling.
Starring Shay Debney, Lincoln Elliott, Joel Granger, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Amy Hack, Nat Jobe, Joey Phyland and Justin Smith.
Director Sheridan Harbridge Musical Supervisor Steven Kramer Musical Director David Gardos Choreographer Ellen Simpson Associate Director & Stage Manager Daniel Cottier Set Designer Hailley Hunt Costume Designer Mason Browne Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest Sound Designer Liam Roche Arranger & Orchestrator Jack Earle Orchestrator & Track Producer Steve Toulmin Associate Track Producer Glenn Moorhouse Ableton/Keyboard Programmer David Youings Sound Content Designer Matty James Production Manager Damion Holling Assistant Stage Manager Nathan Sandy Sound Engineer Em-Jay Dwyer Set Design Assistant Adrien Stark Costume Design Assistant Jess Dilworth Musical Director’s Assistant Lauren Shaw Intimacy Coordinator Chloë Dallimore
Australian singer, songwriter, and performer Prinnie Stevens has long been celebrated for her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and versatility across soul, R&B, pop, and musical theatre. From her standout performances on The Voice to starring roles in stage productions and her acclaimed show Lady Sings the Blues, Prinnie has built a reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic and inspiring artists.
We were back in my Lilyfield studio for a fresh round of photos, based on new ideas and forthcoming shows. Prinnie’s creative energy and professionalism always make for a dynamic shoot, and this session was no exception.
We reunited the same team who worked together on her stunning Lady Sings the Blues campaign — myself behind the camera and our brilliant make-up and hair by Joe and Drew, from The Glow up Headquarters (instagram: @theglowuphq). It’s a combination that clicks, bringing the right balance of skill, trust, and fun into the room.
The day flowed with laughter, music, and plenty of creativity. Shoots like this remind me how rewarding it is to collaborate with talented and committed professionals. When everyone brings their best, the results speak for themselves — beautiful, powerful imagery that captures Prinnie at her absolute best.
I can’t wait to share the finished selected images from this session. In this blog I’ve posted a few out-takes for a behind the scenes look at the shoot.
Pictured: Steven Kramer (Writer of Phar Lap), Justin Smith (Cast of Phar Lap), Joel Granger (Cast of Phar Lap) and Sheridan Harbridge (Director of Phar Lap)
Together with various actors, writers, directors and costumers, I recently hosted a series of photo-shoots at my studio for the Hayes Theatre Company, in preparation for their 2026 season. The sessions involved still photographs of various cast members and video production of the actors and crew, filminging light-hearted, voice-to-camera interviews. We also created some grabs of slow-mo action for future marketing content.
Kayla French (marketing) commits herself to creating content with Joel Granger (Cast of Phar Lap)
Richard Carroll (Artistic Director) checks in with Billie and John (Cast Members)
Billie (Cast) in makeup with Ashleigh Grace (MUA)
Final social media images are captured before stepping on set.
Rica Canillas (Marketing, left) working hard with Kayla French (Marketing, right)
Sam Hernandez (Costuming, left), together with Richard (Director, right) adjust Billie’s costume
While the video cameras rolled, I also took the opportunity to capture some out-takes of the working process with my own camera. There was a vibrant and creative mood on set, with the team from Hayes Theatre Company bringing incredible energy to the studio. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of just how much collaborative effort goes into producing a theatrical season, with the contributions of so many talented individuals coming together behind the scenes.
Sam Hernandez (Wardrobe/Stylist) makes final adjustments to Billie Palin’s costume on set.
Pictured from left: Raphael Wong, Lincoln Elliott & Kala Gare
In June, I worked with the talented cast and crew of Being Alive, a beautifully staged selection of Stephen Sondheim songs at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney. My role was to capture production images to showcase the energy, emotion and artistry of the show with four extraordinary performers and a three-piece band, to be used for promotional and program purposes.
Normally, I photograph and document a full dress rehearsal by shooting continuously while the production runs in real time. This allows me to capture spontaneous moments and the natural rhythm of the performance. However, for Being Alive, the process was a little different – and all the more fascinating because of it.
This time, instead of shooting a seamless run-through, we worked through a carefully curated list of specific moments. Sonia Suares, the director, knew exactly the moments that would feature the artists appropriately and guided me along the way. The cast and crew would reset between these key points, allowing me to focus on capturing particular highlights that best represented the range and spirit of the show. We moved from set-up to set-up, working collaboratively to ensure that each image told a piece of the story.
Pictured from left: Lincoln Elliott, Kala Gare, Raphael Wong & Blazey Best
From my perspective, it was an interesting departure from my usual approach — offering the opportunity to craft images with more precision, while still responding to the vibrancy of live performance. I’m grateful to the team at Hayes for their openness and professionalism, and to the cast for their generosity in revisiting these moments so that I could do them justice through my lens.
Catch a performance in Sydney starting from late June … for tickets and more information head to“Being Alive”
Cast and crew of the Hayes Theatre production of “Being Alive”
In February 2025, I had the privilege of capturing two distinct photographic sessions for the Hayes Theatre Co’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance” (playing in Sydney through March 16). The first was a studio-based shoot designed to produce new promotional images for the marketing campaign for this reimagined classic. The second involved taking swash-buckling production shots during the dress rehearsal, providing a special glimpse into the performance’s dynamic energy.
Directed by Richard Carroll, this adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta offers a fresh and inventive take on the original work. This production includes a standout performance by Brittanie Shipway in the twin roles of maid Ruth and love interest Mabel. Critics have praised the show for its modern twist and engaging performances. According to Broadway World, the production is “an inventive escapist expression of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera.”
The promotional images I created aim to capture the vibrant and contemporary essence of this adaptation, highlighting the performers’ madcap expressions and the show’s lively atmosphere. We follow the dreamy and not-particularly-bright young Frederic (played with amusing earnestness by Maxwell Simon), a piano-playing Major-General (Trevor Jones), a pirate/policeman/maiden who also plays the keys (Billie Palin) and a ukulele-playing, quick-changing Pirate King and Police Chief (Jay Laga’aia), who sometimes wears a ridiculous, over-scaled leather pirate’s hat. The heightened silliness, adventurousness and comic musical timing is aided by the onstage stage manager (Sheridan Simson) who rings the ship’s bell and keeps the action moving briskly. I think that my images help to convey this production’s modern sensibility.
During the dress rehearsal, I focused on capturing candid moments to showcase the performers’ interactions and the intricate staging, plus some of the hilarious costuming and prop gags. The intimate setting of the Hayes Theatre Co allowed for close-up shots to emphasize the comedic timing integral to the performances.
With witty lyrics and new jokes, this collaboration with the Hayes Theatre Co has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to be part of the visual storytelling of a production that reimagines a beloved classic for a new generation.
Recent Reviews of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at Hayes Theatre Co
The Pirates of Penzance; or The Slave of Duty is playing at Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point, until March 16. For information and to book tickets go to: The Hayes Theatre Co
On now at the Hayes Theatre, Sydney, Flat Earthers, a brand new musical that is not just a kaleidoscope of colour, but a wacky adventure into (cyber) space and time.
Production shots of the dress rehearsal are an important tool for promotional purposes for any show. They are also reproduced in the program that is sold on performance nights at the theatre, creating a valuable document of the cast, lighting and staging of any particular production. In the case of “Flat Earthers: The Musical”, due to difficulties with my scheduling for the dress rehearsal, I was actually photographing the first public performance. This meant I was limited in my movements, since I normally have the freedom to move throughout the auditorium when photographing a performance. As a photographer, you want to vary the angles and you constantly search for striking lighting effects. That said, you usually work more at the front/centre of the stage, because the show is constructed that way … you want to mirror the audience viewpoint.
Book & Lyrics Jean Tong & Lou Wall Songwriting Lou Wall & James Gales Music Production James Gales Director Declan Greene Musical Director Jude Perl Choreographer Fetu Taku Set & Lighting Designer Brockman Costume Designer Emma White Sound Designer, Associate Video Designer & Animator Daniel Herten AV Content Creator Xanthe Dobbie Stage Manager Anastasia Mowen Sound & AV Assistant TK Abioye Sound Operator Em-Jay Dwyer Intimacy Coordinator Chloë Dallimore Musical Dramaturg Clemence Williams Casting Director Rhys Velasquez Assistant Set Designer Lochie Odgers Assistant Stage Manager Grace Sackman With Michelle Brasier, Lena Cruz, Manali Datar, Milo Hartill, Manon Guderson-Briggs, Mel O’Brien, Shannen Alyce Quan, Zarif
Back in July, I hosted a photographic session at my Lilyfield studio for the different actors appearing in forthcoming productions for the Hayes Theatre in Sydney. We were shooting imagery for the promotion of the 2025 season.
Together we worked on images for a new production called “Pharlap”, an end-of-year special Xmas performance by Nancye Hayes in “Merry and Bright”, and finally the lead imagery for the production of “Pirates of Penzance”, set for February 2025
These are the latest additions to the impressive list of musicals and stage-plays performed as part of the Hayes Theatre’s busy program. Once they have been fully rehearsed, I will write more about these productions in this blog.
For more information on each show, as well as performance dates and times, click here:
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal at the Hayes Theatre for Tell Me On A Sunday, the upcoming Sydney production of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black. As a lover of theatre and photography, I was thrilled to be able to help stage some behind-the-scenes moments of the talented cast and crew in action.
Capturing these moments on camera was a privilege, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to document the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this show to life. I look forward to seeing the finished performance starring Erin Clare on opening night in Sydney. I know that audiences are in for a real treat with this stunning production of Tell Me On A Sunday.
Tell Me On A Sunday commenced performances at the Hayes Theatre this weekend, taking audiences back to the heady days of New York City in the late Seventies and featuring some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most hummable, emotionally engaging, touching and melodic work.
Working with lyricist Don Black, Lloyd Webber’s song cycle tells the story of a young Englishwoman navigating a new life – including work, culture and love – in New York City.
It includes the classic songs Take That Look Off Your Face, Tell Me On A Sunday, Nothing Like You’ve Ever Known, Capped Teeth and Caesar Salad, It’s Not The End of the World, Come Back With the Same Look In Your Eyes and Let’s Talk About You, among many others.
This musical features a knockout performance from Erin Clare as ‘The Girl’ and is directed by Blazey Best, with Musical Supervision by Guy Simpson. This is a unique piece of musical theatre featuring a multi instrumentalist six piece band on stage.
Cast and Creatives
Starring Erin Clare
Director Blazey Best Musical Supervisor Guy Simpson Musical Director David Gardos Associate Director Lisa Callingham Lighting Designer Kelsey Lee Sound Designer Tom Brickhill Stage & Company Manager Krystelle Quartermain Assistant Stage Manage Hana Barn
Zombie! The Musical! has just opened at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney. I photographed a series of production images at the dress rehearsal for this world premiere in early March.
Here’s a text from the web-site of the Hayes Theatre with a brief explanation of the genre-bending show …
Sydney, Australia. It’s the turn of the 21st century, and a dedicated community theatre troupe are frantically rehearsing in the final hours before their big opening night. Little do they know that beyond the walls of the theatre, a highly infectious disease is rapidly spreading through the city – turning its victims into full-blown zombies. Will humanity take its final bow, or can the power of musical theatre save the friggin’ world?
From the creator of The Lovers, this brand-new Australian musical wields a genre-blending original score and a fast-paced, farcical script that combines two of the most subtle forms of storytelling: traditional musical theatre and cult-classic zombie films.
I must say I loved shooting scenes from this madcap production. With comic timing, Zombie! The Musical! includes optimism, ambition and impending doom. The music is fabulous, the cast were captivating and the whole thing is both fun and off-the-scale in terms of its energy and inventiveness. I think it’s a great production, guaranteed to entertain. I intend to return again, so I can better enjoy the ride without my camera. To book tickets, visit the Hayes web-site.
Cast & Creatives
Starring Natalie Abbott, Tamsin Carroll, Chelsea Dawson, Nancy Denis, Adam Di Martino, Ryan Gonzalez, Stefanie Jones, Drew Livingston and Monique Sallé
Director Darren Yap Musical Director Damon Wade Choreographer/Assistant Director Chiara Assetta Set Designer Nick Fry Costume Designer Esther Zhong Lighting & Projection Designer Verity Hampson Sound Designer David Grigg Dramaturg Brittanie Shipway Fight Director Tim Dashwood Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer Hayden Tee Video Associate Maddy Picard Intimacy Coordinator Chloë Dallimore Stage Manager Bronte Schuftan Assistant Stage Manager Jessie Byrne Wig, Hair & Makeup Design Assistant Ashleigh Grace Sound Operators Sam Ducker & Keith Muir Music Copying Gianna Cheung & Damon Wade Arrangements Laura Murphy Orchestrations Laura Murphy & Steven Kramer Additional Orchestration Steven KramerMusicians: Maia Hopf (deputy musical director), Graham Hunt, Jonathan Lim, David Stratton
Here’s a couple of reviews…..to see what the critics think:
At the annual Sydney Theatre Awards, Best Production of a Musical was awarded to the Hayes Theatre’s new production of A Little Night Music, directed by Dean Bryant. Nancye Hayes was awarded Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role in the same production, playing Madame Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed play. Congratulations to all involved. I am proud that the images used for these awards incorporated my own production shots of the cast of A Little Night Music, taken in 2023.
I photographed production shots for “Murder For Two” running now at the Hayes Theatre in Potts Point. This is a truly fast, furious and entirely silly crime farce with a touch of Xmas, being performed until 22 December, 2023.
The story of “Murder for Two” is marked by playful intrigue. Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a small-town policeman who dreams of being promoted to detective. One fateful Christmas Eve, shots ring out at the surprise Christmas-birthday party of the Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney, and the writer is “fatally killed”. With the local detective caught up doing last-minute gift shopping, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills, with the help of his silent partner, Lou. Did Dahlia Whitney, Arthur’s scene-stealing wife, poison the eggnog? Or was it the celebrated star of The Nutcracker, Barette Lewis? Whodunit?? You’ll have to come along to find out!
Director Richard Carroll Musical Supervisor Damon Wade Choreographer Shannon Burns Set & Costume Designer Keerthi Subramanyam Lighting Designer Priyanka Martin Sound Designer Daniel Herten Stage Manager Jessie Byrne Production Manager Abbey Pace Production Assistant Kaylee Ashton Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Starring Maverick Newman, Kala Gare and Sam Marques
*Sam Marques will play the role of Detective Marcus on 12th December 2023.
Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed and seductive musical farce, A Little Night Music, opens tonight at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music is a wonderfully witty and deeply moving romance, exploring desire, passion and regret. IN this new Sydney production directed by Dean Bryant, the audience is swept away by classic songs like “A Weekend in the Country”, “The Miller’s Son” and the iconic and pensive “Send in the Clowns”.
I ventured to the Hayes Theatre for the final dress rehearsal last week to photograph dramatic moments of the players on stage. Although most of my attention was on capturing the best images, I couldn’t help being carried away to Sweden in the 1900, caught up in the drama of the suspicious trysts and love triangles of these engaging characters.
Desiree Armfeld (Blazey Best) with Count Carl-Magnus Malcom (Josh Robson) with Frederick Egerman (Leon Ford) hiding in the corner.
I loved seeing Nancye Hayes on stage as the stylish doyenne, Madame Armfeldt. She certainly defines stage-presence with panache.
If you are in Sydney, I suggest you see this magnificent performance…..a great night out, witty, entertaining, clever use of language, with captivating music and lyrics. Playing until November 11, 2023 Book here:
Following a recent photoshoot with Trevor in my studio (see blog entry 15 August, 2023), it has been announced that a raucous team of intrepid thespians are returning to entertain audiences at the Seymour Centre in Sydney, starting from December 7, 2023.
Not remotely referencing a beloved musical film or a cult TV show, the vivacious Tania McMermaid (Trevor Ashley) is checking-in to the underwater hotel The Little Lotus. It doesn’t take long for Tania’s bedazzled fins to catch the attention of the handsome Character Formerly Known As Prince (Jakob Ambrose), but beware – lurking in the shadows is the malevolent sea witch, Gaviscon (the legendary Carlotta AM).
Curtain call from “Moulin Scrooge”, performed at the Seymour Centre in 2022 with Jarred Moore, Carlotta, Trevor Ashley, Jacob Ambrose and Stephen Madsen
For 18 performances only, the full cast of Moulin Scrooge! are reunited for The White Mermaid, under the sea in a musical dose of the ridiculous – starring Trevor Ashley, Jakob Ambrose, Stephen Madsen, Jarrod Moore and the legendary Carlotta AM, with dazzling costumes by Angie White, lighting by Sam Wylie and choreography by Heath Keating.
Angie White (costume designer extraordinaire) puts the finishing touches on Trevor’s costume before the shot
We produced a series of other looks during our photo-session
Hayes Theatre Co has announced the cast for the acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical A Little Night Music, which opens in October. Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, A Little Night Music is a wonderfully witty and deeply moving romance, exploring desire, passion and regret.
As previously announced, Australia’s favourite leading lady and namesake of Hayes Theatre Co, Nancye Hayes plays the role of Madame Armfeldt. The recipient of many industry awards, including three Lifetime Achievement Awards, three Helpmanns, four Green Room, two Glugs and a Mo, Nancye Hayes AM takes on her favourite role for the third time in her illustrious career.
Members of the cast and crew came to my studio to capture a promotional image for their media efforts. We photographed each cast member separately firstly and then set up a group shot for the final capture.
Kiana Daniele, Leon Ford, Nancye Hayes, Blazey Best and Jeremi Campese to star in A Little Night Music
For more information on this wonderful production and the entire cast and crew see the following link: A Little Night Music – Limelight
Portrait of Nancye Hayes taken during the photo session in my studio with the cast of “A Little Night Music”.
I love, love, love the work of Mr Paul Capsis. It seems everything he touches he brings to new life….it moves and emotes with a depth of soul.
For anyone who is not familiar with Paul’s body of work, he is an award-winning Australian actor of Maltese/Greek extraction, a singer and playwright who has been working consistently for decades. He has released four albums, appeared in several films (for example alongside Alex Dimitriades in Ana Kokkinos’ 1998 film “Head On”), appeared in countless theatre productions in Australia and Europe, written and performed in his own auto-biographical play and is a regular in musical theatre and cabaret. In 2012, he won the category of “Best Male Actor in a Play” and “Best New Australian Work” at the 12th Helpmann Awards, for his one-man play “Angela’s Kitchen”, with Capsis portraying multiple roles from his childhood. For more details on his body of work visit this link: Paul Capsis..
It was time for Paul to sit for an updated head shot, so he came to my studio. Usually when I shoot Paul, he undergoes a transformation into some other-worldly character, complete with makeup and costume. In the past, I have captured images of Paul as part of the various productions with which he has been involved, including as the cynical Emcee in the stage production of “Cabaret” (he was amazing in this role) and more recently, in the flamboyant role of Albin in David Hawkins’ Sydney production of “La Cage Aux Folles”. As a chameleon, Paul magically disappears into the skin of his different theatrical personas. This time we aimed to create a simple and more natural portrait of Paul, without makeup or any glitzy trappings. Paul Capsis “unplugged”, if you will.
Paul as Emcee in “Cabaret”
Production shot for “Cabaret”, Hayes Theatre
Paul as Albin in The David Hawkins production of “La Cage Aux Folles”, with a new season at the Arts Centre Melbourne from November 9, 2023
Paul as Albin – see what I mean when I say it’s not often that I have the chance to photograph Paul without makeup and glitz.
We had a great time catching up during the photo-shoot. Shooting one-on-one, as in this situation, allowed us more time to reminisce and to have a chat. Normally, with a whole production attached, there is little time and since many more people are involved, you need to keep focused to get all the shots in the limited time-frame. Our recent shoot in my studio was far more relaxed.
Paul is an exciting performer who never sits still, so I can’t wait to see what professional challenge he will tackle next.
A second season of La Cage Aux Folles was staged at the State Theatre. Not only did I manage to shoot part of the dress rehearsal but I also attended the opening night and shot the red carpet at the beginning of the evening. This also meant that for the first time I got to sit in the audience and actually see the show performed from start to finish as a “normal” person.
Paul Capsis was stunning in the role of Albin. Also the chemistry between Georges (Michael Cormick) and Albin (Paul Capsis) was just magic. I loved the dancers (Les Cagelles) and the choreography (Choreographer: Veronica Beattie)…really well done. In fact the whole cast was perfectly drawn. It was a delight to be thoroughly entertained by all the colour and movement and I found myself completely engaged and invested in the story and the dialogue.
Obviously I wasn’t the only one that liked the show. Here’s a review posted in “Time-Out”
The Red Carpet is always fun…….
Tom Gay
Lara Mulcahy
Leigh Sales
Matty Mills
Riley Spadaro (Director), David Hawkins (Producer) & Veronica Beattie (Choregrapher)
La Cage Aux Folles will be playing in Sydney at the Concourse at the end of November. Tickets available at Ticketek here:
Directed By Cameron Menzies
Musical Direction by Craig Renshaw
Choreography by Veronica Beattie George
Production Design by James Browne
Lighting Design by Karen Norris
Wigs and Make-up Design by Drew-Elizabeth Johnstone
Sound Design by Anthony Lorenz
The iconic Paul Capsis will be joining an all-star cast including Michael Cormick to delight Sydney audiences. We captured some images of Paul at the studio recently in preparation for the production. Here are some behind the scenes shots of Paul getting ready for publicity imagery. As always it is a joy to work with Paul. His ability to make you laugh is unsurpassed.
Paul in makeup with Vincent Wang (MUA), watched on by La Cage Aux Folles producer David Hawkins
Directed by Luke Joslin Musical Director Su Hee Cho Choreographer Matthew Jensen Design Angela Meany Production Assistant/SM Alexis Worthing Producer Michelle Guthrie
Starring Penny McNamee with Andrew Cutcliffe, Wayne Scott Kermond, Octavia Barron Martin, Ava Madon, Drew Livingston, Vincent Huynh, Dean Vince, Emily Cascarino, Joel Houwen, James MacAlpine, Chloe Malek, Siena Elchaar
The Hayes Theatre, Potts Point, is well known for its staging of musicals and theatre productions. One such production is the musical, Bells Are Ringing. This piece is part of a Hayes Theatre’s initiative whereby long standing musicals are selected as part of a “forgotten musicals” genre.
What is also interesting in these productions is that the cast comes together and is given the scripts one day before the musical opens to the public. This means that the cast is challenged with the formidable task of presenting something which is almost not rehearsed…..to the point that they cast members read from scripts on stage as part of the presentations. This creates a captivating set of conditions as the audience is simultaneously invested in the outcome.
As Penny MacNammee states in a recent interview, “The unique and thrilling experience that comes with performing a Neglected Musical, is three-fold for me. Firstly, the challenge of learning and staging a show in just a day, the thrill of performing that show in front of a live audience who are invested in the process, and finally the joy of rediscovering and presenting a forgotten, but cherished musical!”
I was asked to shoot for the production on their first public performance of the show. It was a great experience to capture the moment. The following is a selection of shots…..
If you missed this production at the Hayes make sure you catch one of their works in the future. Keep up to date by visiting their web site here: The Hayes Theatre, Sydney.
