OZtralia.tv Blog

09 Sydney Festival Launch Party

By: Souleo

Some of Australia’s biggest names came out for the official launch party for the Sydney Festival 2009 at the Sydney Theatre company.  Those in attendance included: Andrew Upton, The Hon. Nathan Reese, Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore, Claire Stewart, actress Sasha Horler, and more.

But those names almost pale in comparison next to the stars we can expect once the festival kicks off.  The three week festival (January 10^th-31^st) will include performances by legendary diva Grace Jones, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Cat Empire, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Fanfare Ciocarlia and Santogold.

On First Night there will be a street dance party where those present are expected to perform a 30-second dance, choreographed by Australian Dance Theatre artistic director Garry Stewart.

Let’s just hope he keeps it simple for the sake of everyone’s pride.

Among the theatre highlights will be the Sydney Theatre Company production of The War of the Roses, starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Menzies.

The show lasts 7 hours!  With a running time that long I hope the seats convert into toilets that way no one has to worry about missing a thing.

Photos: W. Teodoro/WireImage.com

Star Opens Production In Sydney

By: The OZtralia Producers

From our Broadway.tv team in New York (www.Broadway.tv):

“The acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett joined husband and director Andrew Upton to launch of the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2009 Main Stage Season on Monday in Sydney, Australia. As part of the season, Blanchett will perform the role of Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Liv Ullman. The production will come to New York at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) starting November 27, 2009. Earlier this year, London rumors cited a possible production of the classic Tennessee Williams drama with Britney Spears as Blanche. Glad to note, we prefer our Blanche Blanchetted not Speared. Tell us how the show goes, Sydney!”

For more, click here.