More and more audio clips illegally recorded inside Sydney and Melbourne theatres are appearing on internet website YouTube, but anonymity means offenders will probably never be caught.
The opening of blockbuster musical Wicked in Melbourne has sparked a flurry of illegal audio recorded from the audience - some of it from the opening night performance on July 12.
There are currently at least 10 illegal audio clips on YouTube from Wicked, many including performances by leading ladies Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack.
Audio from the Sydney production of The Rocky Horror Show popped up on the website earlier this month, while audio and video from other Australian productions also features on YouTube.
Neil Gooding, who produced The Hatpin in Sydney earlier this year, said such content ending up online can have its advantages and disadvantages for shows.
"I think that there can certainly be some advantages - for example the High School Musical phenomenon was fuelled dramatically by illegal material on YouTube,"
Gooding said."But I think it is tough on the performers as the live recordings can sometimes be very harsh on their performances. I think maybe it is just a new techological phenomenon that we may just have to accept, and possibly even embrace. I don't think the producers are ever really going to have the resources to prosecute the offenders."
Performer James Millar, who has appeared in countless musicals, condemned those who put up illegal audio and video on content sharing websites."To film a theatre performance and release it is not only an invasion of privacy, but is also doing theatre an injustice, as it is being captured as less than what it is and sent out as a rendition of that," Millar said."That is why the conditions with which filming or recording are done in theatre are always very delicate and smartly done. It's often done as a "fan thing", but its entirely unsupportive and shady. Come and watch it in the moment. If not, wait for a recording of it that has been done with care and precision."
Aussietheatre.com
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Wicked leaves more records in its wake
Wicked has taken a box office gross of $1,691,529 for the week ending July 20 (eight performances), a new record in Melbourne theatre.
It's not the first record the Australian production of the smash hit tuner has left in its wake, however.
Last Monday, following the show's opening at the Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new one-day box office sales record for any Melbourne Theatre.
And in just three hours on February 13, when advance bookings first opened in Melbourne, group bookers snapped up advance tickets worth $2.3 million – a record for Australian musical theatre.
Wicked now holds $13 million in advance sales, and last week released a further 60,000 seats for sale.“Wicked is unique,” said the musical’s co-producer, John Frost. “Week by week it just gets bigger and bigger. This is a spectacular musical that has won the big the awards: a Grammy for Best Musical Show album - the album has sold more than two million copies - three Tony Awards and six Drama Desks including Best Musical. The amazing book that goes with the show, Wicked The Grimmerie, has sold 200,000 copies."
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "Wicked’s spectacular costumes and contemporary staging are the real stars of the show, and the gasp of wonderment from the audience when Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) flies into the air at the spectacular conclusion to act one embodies the incredible connection this show builds with an audience throughout. And such gasps keep coming, whether it be at one of the many hundreds of wonderful outfits or the strong, action-packed script that has so many surprises along the way that it almost makes Wicked a show you need to see two or three times to really take it all in."
Wicked is expected to run at Melbourne's Regent Theatre for at least 18 months before moving to Sydney. Bookings: 132 849.
Aussietheatre.com
It's not the first record the Australian production of the smash hit tuner has left in its wake, however.
Last Monday, following the show's opening at the Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new one-day box office sales record for any Melbourne Theatre.
And in just three hours on February 13, when advance bookings first opened in Melbourne, group bookers snapped up advance tickets worth $2.3 million – a record for Australian musical theatre.
Wicked now holds $13 million in advance sales, and last week released a further 60,000 seats for sale.“Wicked is unique,” said the musical’s co-producer, John Frost. “Week by week it just gets bigger and bigger. This is a spectacular musical that has won the big the awards: a Grammy for Best Musical Show album - the album has sold more than two million copies - three Tony Awards and six Drama Desks including Best Musical. The amazing book that goes with the show, Wicked The Grimmerie, has sold 200,000 copies."
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "Wicked’s spectacular costumes and contemporary staging are the real stars of the show, and the gasp of wonderment from the audience when Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) flies into the air at the spectacular conclusion to act one embodies the incredible connection this show builds with an audience throughout. And such gasps keep coming, whether it be at one of the many hundreds of wonderful outfits or the strong, action-packed script that has so many surprises along the way that it almost makes Wicked a show you need to see two or three times to really take it all in."
Wicked is expected to run at Melbourne's Regent Theatre for at least 18 months before moving to Sydney. Bookings: 132 849.
Aussietheatre.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wicked breaks box office record
Wicked co-producer John Frost says the reaction and box office success of the show has exceeded his "wildest expectations" as news comes through that the musical has broken the one-day box office record for Melbourne theatre.
The Monday after opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new box office record, with $1.5 million in sales. Wicked now holds an astonishing $13 million in advance sales.
It follows an incredible opening weekend in which the attention the show garnered was unprecedented. Reviews have been largely stunning, and the marketing and publicity machine continues to work over time.
“The fantastic critical reaction and overwhelming audience excitement for Wicked in Melbourne has exceeded our wildest expectations," Frost said. "We always felt there was a huge audience for Wicked in Australia and we’re thrilled that Melbourne has embraced this spectacular musical as its own."
"We’re proud to join the list of international ‘Emerald Cities’ which Wicked can call home for a long and healthy run and we thank the Broadway producers, Marc Platt and David Stone, for choosing to mount this spectacular production with us here in Melbourne.”
The production at the Regent Theatre stars Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda.Frost said he expects sales to continue to be solid, given Wicked's strong box office history overseas and the incredible word of mouth it garners from those who see it.
"They all spread the Wicked word. Wicked grows by word of mouth in a way and to a degree unlike any show I know," he said.
"And Wicked, unlike almost all shows, maintains and builds on its advance sales. At the moment we’re holding $13 million in advance sales and this week we’ve put another 60,000 seats on sale. They’re selling fast."
Wicked is enjoying a relatively free reign over Melbourne at the moment, with only the tail end of the Guys And Dolls run and The Production Company's Follies as box office competition. Things will get tougher, however, with The Rocky Horror Show opening in September and blockbuster musical Jersey Boys just around the corner.
Aussietheatre.com
The Monday after opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new box office record, with $1.5 million in sales. Wicked now holds an astonishing $13 million in advance sales.
It follows an incredible opening weekend in which the attention the show garnered was unprecedented. Reviews have been largely stunning, and the marketing and publicity machine continues to work over time.
“The fantastic critical reaction and overwhelming audience excitement for Wicked in Melbourne has exceeded our wildest expectations," Frost said. "We always felt there was a huge audience for Wicked in Australia and we’re thrilled that Melbourne has embraced this spectacular musical as its own."
"We’re proud to join the list of international ‘Emerald Cities’ which Wicked can call home for a long and healthy run and we thank the Broadway producers, Marc Platt and David Stone, for choosing to mount this spectacular production with us here in Melbourne.”
The production at the Regent Theatre stars Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda.Frost said he expects sales to continue to be solid, given Wicked's strong box office history overseas and the incredible word of mouth it garners from those who see it.
"They all spread the Wicked word. Wicked grows by word of mouth in a way and to a degree unlike any show I know," he said.
"And Wicked, unlike almost all shows, maintains and builds on its advance sales. At the moment we’re holding $13 million in advance sales and this week we’ve put another 60,000 seats on sale. They’re selling fast."
Wicked is enjoying a relatively free reign over Melbourne at the moment, with only the tail end of the Guys And Dolls run and The Production Company's Follies as box office competition. Things will get tougher, however, with The Rocky Horror Show opening in September and blockbuster musical Jersey Boys just around the corner.
Aussietheatre.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wicked film likely?
As excitement continues to surround the opening of the Australian production of the blockbuster musical Wicked, there is renewed speculation that the show could be turned into a multi-million dollar film.
As the movie-musical comeback continues - the most recent success story being Mamma Mia!, which has achieved extraordinary publicity - there is talk that Elphaba and Glinda could soon be taking on the silver screen.Producer Marc Platt has told Variety that he and Wicked co-producer David Stone are currently in "early movie talks" with Universal Pictures. Winnie Holzman, who penned the Tony-nominated book for Wicked, would write the film's screenplay. No casting has been mentioned.
Universal Pictures production president Donna Langley said: "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia! until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."
Wicked is a smash hit all around the world and it would seem similar success is likely in Australia, with extremely positive reviews following last Saturday's premiere in Melbourne. Early reports indicate the show has done incredibly well at the box office this week and is likely to run for at least a year the Regent Theatre.
60,000 new seats went on sale on Monday for the Melbourne season, which has been given no closing date at this stage.Meanwhile, Wicked's youngest cast member says the experience of being involved with the show has been "absolutely amazing".
17-year-old Romina Villafranca, who is in the show's ensemble, said she is loving the experience of working on such a mammoth show.
"We have had a great response, and have been given a few standing ovations," she told the Illawarra Mercury.
"It is such an awesome show and the cast are absolutely fantastic, particularly the leads ... they are all really genuine people."
In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "So often we look at shows and it’s easy to pinpoint errors and when they were made, whether it was in the casting room, the rehearsal process or the day-to-day performances themselves. Wicked, however, gets it so right. The casting is strong, the staging is wonderful, the direction and musical direction is spot on and as expected given its international success, the script is tight and punchy."
Aussietheatre.com
As the movie-musical comeback continues - the most recent success story being Mamma Mia!, which has achieved extraordinary publicity - there is talk that Elphaba and Glinda could soon be taking on the silver screen.Producer Marc Platt has told Variety that he and Wicked co-producer David Stone are currently in "early movie talks" with Universal Pictures. Winnie Holzman, who penned the Tony-nominated book for Wicked, would write the film's screenplay. No casting has been mentioned.
Universal Pictures production president Donna Langley said: "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia! until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."
Wicked is a smash hit all around the world and it would seem similar success is likely in Australia, with extremely positive reviews following last Saturday's premiere in Melbourne. Early reports indicate the show has done incredibly well at the box office this week and is likely to run for at least a year the Regent Theatre.
60,000 new seats went on sale on Monday for the Melbourne season, which has been given no closing date at this stage.Meanwhile, Wicked's youngest cast member says the experience of being involved with the show has been "absolutely amazing".
17-year-old Romina Villafranca, who is in the show's ensemble, said she is loving the experience of working on such a mammoth show.
"We have had a great response, and have been given a few standing ovations," she told the Illawarra Mercury.
"It is such an awesome show and the cast are absolutely fantastic, particularly the leads ... they are all really genuine people."
In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "So often we look at shows and it’s easy to pinpoint errors and when they were made, whether it was in the casting room, the rehearsal process or the day-to-day performances themselves. Wicked, however, gets it so right. The casting is strong, the staging is wonderful, the direction and musical direction is spot on and as expected given its international success, the script is tight and punchy."
Aussietheatre.com
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Opening Night guests paint the town green
The cast of Wicked painted the town green last night during their opening night party at the Sofitel, celebrating the biggest musical ever to hit Australian shores.
Arguably the largest event of its kind to be staged in Melbourne, this delightfully Wicked function proved that Melbourne sure know how to throw a party. Over 1700 guests were greeted with pink and green cocktails, setting the mood for the night to follow. Two of the Sofitel’s ballrooms were decorated to represent the two Witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda - The ‘green’ room, complete with mini Dragon Time Clock and green mood lighting, and a ‘pink’ room, adorned with mirrors and white drapes.
Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda) and the cast arrived in the Wicked an hour after the function began, and looked radiant after the thrill of an opening night standing ovation. Harrison was sporting over $90,000 worth of diamonds, and had a bodyguard with her all night, and Durack shone in a stunning red gown. Guests at the party included Chris Lilley (Summer Heights High), Sean Micalef, Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath And Kim), Peter Costello, Nikki Webster, Bree Amer (Big Brother) and Tim Campbell.
Aussietheatre.com
Arguably the largest event of its kind to be staged in Melbourne, this delightfully Wicked function proved that Melbourne sure know how to throw a party. Over 1700 guests were greeted with pink and green cocktails, setting the mood for the night to follow. Two of the Sofitel’s ballrooms were decorated to represent the two Witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda - The ‘green’ room, complete with mini Dragon Time Clock and green mood lighting, and a ‘pink’ room, adorned with mirrors and white drapes.
Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda) and the cast arrived in the Wicked an hour after the function began, and looked radiant after the thrill of an opening night standing ovation. Harrison was sporting over $90,000 worth of diamonds, and had a bodyguard with her all night, and Durack shone in a stunning red gown. Guests at the party included Chris Lilley (Summer Heights High), Sean Micalef, Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath And Kim), Peter Costello, Nikki Webster, Bree Amer (Big Brother) and Tim Campbell.
Aussietheatre.com
Durack steals the show as Wicked witches shine
Australian musical theatre welcomed a new top-flight star last night with Lucy Durack giving the standout performance at the opening night of blockbuster musical Wicked at the Regent Theatre.
Durack's extraordinary turn as Glinda came complete with wonderful comic timing, an obvious understanding of the requirements of the role and of course, sensational vocals, highlighted by her trademark number, 'Popular'.
While the strain of the rehearsal process was obvious in some of the vocal performances of the principals, the signs were extremely good that the casting team have got things spot on when it comes to the Australian premiere production. Durack, born in Perth, has worked on various musicals - including many for The Production Company in Melbourne - but there is no doubting Wicked is her big break and the show that could make her a household name.
Wearing a stunning red dress, Durack beamed at the show's after-party last night, speaking of how extraordinary the experience has been for her and her on stage partner in crime, Amanda Harrison.
For Harrison, the show is the culmination of years of hard work, with key roles in shows such as Leader Of The Pack and Miss Saigon leading to the extraordinary mountain that is Elphaba in Wicked, a demanding yet fulfilling role that is now one of the most recognised in musical theatre history.
Her rendition of 'No Good Deed' at the opening night performance was a five star standout.
Harrison's husband Scott and Durack's partner Chris were both in attendance at last night's performance, beaming with pride, while both girls had family members in attendance.
The rehearsal schedule has been demanding for the duo, as has the media work with constant photo and interview engagements from February onwards.
Aussietheatre.com
Durack's extraordinary turn as Glinda came complete with wonderful comic timing, an obvious understanding of the requirements of the role and of course, sensational vocals, highlighted by her trademark number, 'Popular'.
While the strain of the rehearsal process was obvious in some of the vocal performances of the principals, the signs were extremely good that the casting team have got things spot on when it comes to the Australian premiere production. Durack, born in Perth, has worked on various musicals - including many for The Production Company in Melbourne - but there is no doubting Wicked is her big break and the show that could make her a household name.
Wearing a stunning red dress, Durack beamed at the show's after-party last night, speaking of how extraordinary the experience has been for her and her on stage partner in crime, Amanda Harrison.
For Harrison, the show is the culmination of years of hard work, with key roles in shows such as Leader Of The Pack and Miss Saigon leading to the extraordinary mountain that is Elphaba in Wicked, a demanding yet fulfilling role that is now one of the most recognised in musical theatre history.
Her rendition of 'No Good Deed' at the opening night performance was a five star standout.
Harrison's husband Scott and Durack's partner Chris were both in attendance at last night's performance, beaming with pride, while both girls had family members in attendance.
The rehearsal schedule has been demanding for the duo, as has the media work with constant photo and interview engagements from February onwards.
Aussietheatre.com
Wicked Opens with a bang
Blockbuster musical Wicked last night commenced performances in Melbourne with a solid standing ovation from an opening night audience made up of celebrities, investors and theatre industry representatives.
The Regent Theatre was packed to capacity for the show, which created an extraordinary buzz at interval and an even bigger positive reaction at its completion, and at the star-studded after-party.
The after-party, held at the Sofitel in Melbourne, was one of the biggest parties of its kind ever held in the city - spanning at least three major rooms and featuring extraordinary catering and green and pink cocktails.
Earlier, opening night guests walked the green carpet as the media clamoured for photographs, with spotlights working overtime and a Melbourne radio station broadcasting live from the event.
The performance commenced around 10 minutes late, at 7.10pm, but everything went off without a hitch, a stellar workout that the cast and creative team must surely be thrilled by.
Wicked, already a major hit overseas, tells the back-story to The Wizard Of Oz with particular focus on the two witches - Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, who in this tale is given a name, Elphaba.
The duo form an unlikely friendship as mysteries unravel, all mixed with one of the most iconic contemporary musical theatre scores, which is leading a new generation of youngsters into the theatre.
The show is expected to be a major success story in Melbourne, running for anywhere up to three years at the Regent before even considering a move, most likely to Sydney.
Melbourne had been "turned green" for last night's premiere, with street lamps on Collins Street changing colour and the buzz of the city evident as guests began to arrive for the opening night performance.
For the cast who partied into the night and celebrated an extraordinary achievement, reality now sets in: Eight shows a week for who knows how long.
Aussietheatre.com
The Regent Theatre was packed to capacity for the show, which created an extraordinary buzz at interval and an even bigger positive reaction at its completion, and at the star-studded after-party.
The after-party, held at the Sofitel in Melbourne, was one of the biggest parties of its kind ever held in the city - spanning at least three major rooms and featuring extraordinary catering and green and pink cocktails.
Earlier, opening night guests walked the green carpet as the media clamoured for photographs, with spotlights working overtime and a Melbourne radio station broadcasting live from the event.
The performance commenced around 10 minutes late, at 7.10pm, but everything went off without a hitch, a stellar workout that the cast and creative team must surely be thrilled by.
Wicked, already a major hit overseas, tells the back-story to The Wizard Of Oz with particular focus on the two witches - Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, who in this tale is given a name, Elphaba.
The duo form an unlikely friendship as mysteries unravel, all mixed with one of the most iconic contemporary musical theatre scores, which is leading a new generation of youngsters into the theatre.
The show is expected to be a major success story in Melbourne, running for anywhere up to three years at the Regent before even considering a move, most likely to Sydney.
Melbourne had been "turned green" for last night's premiere, with street lamps on Collins Street changing colour and the buzz of the city evident as guests began to arrive for the opening night performance.
For the cast who partied into the night and celebrated an extraordinary achievement, reality now sets in: Eight shows a week for who knows how long.
Aussietheatre.com
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