Girl From the North CountryCredit: Original West End photography by Manuel Harlan, Alastair Muir, Tristram Kenton
Sydney to launch Australian premiere of Girl From the North Country.
#lovensw #ilovesydney
Critically acclaimed musical Girl from the North Country, written and directed by Conor McPherson and with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, is the first new international production to be announced for Australia since the NSW Government announced the return of live theatre to the state.
Since opening at the Old Vic in London, Girl From The North Country has taken the theatrical world by storm, selling out seasons in the West End, Toronto and Broadway, and is now one of the most critically acclaimed multi award-winning productions of the 21st Century.
A story of American life in 1934 Minnesota, it centres on a community living on a knife-edge in the local guesthouse: the owner, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind and their daughter Marianne is carrying a child no-one will account for. And, when a preacher selling bibles, and a boxer looking for a comeback turn up in the middle of the night, things start to spiral beyond the point of no return.
Featuring the songs of Bob Dylan reimagined like you’ve never heard them before, including Hurricane, I Want You, Slow Train Coming, Lay Lady Lay and Like A Rolling Stone, Girl From The Country stars stage and screen icon the multi Gold Logie winner, Lisa McCune (King And I, South Pacific), Zahra Newman (The Book of Mormon, Wentworth), Terence Crawford (Escape from Pretoria, 1984), Helen Dallimore (Wicked [London], Legally Blond) and Helpmann Award winner, the legendary Peter Carroll.
Written and directed by multi award-winner Conor McPherson (The Weir, The Seafarer), Girl From The North Country opens this January at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Sydney as part of the 2022 Sydney Festival. Experience this modern masterpiece during its strictly limited Australian Premiere season as it captures the hope and heartbreak as written by Dylan himself, “May your heart always be joyful. May your song always be sung.”
Director Conor McPherson said: “It is an honour to bring this production I'm so proud of to Australia as part of the Sydney Festival in January next year. Our journey from the Old Vic in London to the West End in London and onto Broadway has been monumental, and now as part of the reopening in Sydney of the Theatre Royal. We have managed to find an incredible Australian cast and we can't wait to bring this magical production to life.”
Co-Producer Richelle Brookman for GWB Entertainment said: “We fell in love with Girl from the North Country after experiencing the show in New York at the Public Theater.
“This is most definitely not a jukebox musical. Celebrated playwright and director, Conor McPherson has created a perfect fusion of emotive, dramatic theatre with twenty songs by the iconic Bob Dylan, weaving through and enriching the storyline about those we love and hold dear, our hopes and sense of place and purpose. All things that have heightened importance at this time.”
Co-Producer Damien Hewitt said: “Sitting in a packed theatre in London’s West End, we knew Australian audiences had to see this magnificent musical. We are now thrilled to present this new production with an all-Australian company, as part of this year’s Sydney Festival at the newly restored Theatre Royal Sydney this January”.
Lisa McCune said: “Every now and then a show or character has a profound effect on you…Girl from the North Country and Elizabeth Laine were that for me, and I am thrilled to be to be part of an incredible ensemble cast for the Australian Premiere at the newly renovated Theatre Royal in Sydney.
Girl From the North Country Credit: Original West End photography by Manuel Harlan, Alastair Muir, Tristram Kenton
Sydney to launch Australian premiere of Girl From the North Country.
#lovensw #ilovesydney
Girl From the North Country Credit: Original West End photography by Manuel Harlan, Alastair Muir, Tristram Kenton
Sydney to launch Australian premiere of Girl From the North Country.
“With music and lyrics by the legendary Bob Dylan, set to a beautiful book written by Conor McPherson, I know audiences will share in a memorable theatrical experience.”
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “Securing innovative, world-class productions for Sydney such as the award-winning production of Girl from the North Country adds exclusivity and variety to our events calendar while supporting key priorities of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030.”
“Musicals are a major contributor to the NSW visitor economy, and we look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to see this musical come to life on the stage and enjoy all that Sydney has to offer, from world-class retail and dining experiences to contemporary musical theatre.
“Staging the Australian premiere of Girl from the North Country in Sydney’s newly refurbished Theatre Royal is fitting as Australia’s creative industries epicentre, and we look forward to welcoming guests to this unique, critically lauded production.”
Sydney Festival Director Olivia Ansell said: “This is such an exciting announcement, particularly because of what it signals for Sydney. The arts are coming back; performances are coming back; one of the city’s most iconic venues - the Theatre Royal - is coming back; Sydney Festival is coming back.”
"And with fifty percent of the Girl From the North Country cast and crew hailing from Sydney, we are so pleased that this production, and the festival, will be playing an important role in aiding the city's recovery, employing NSW artists and crew whilst supporting our local live entertainment communities. I cannot wait to unveil the full Sydney Festival program in November and restore culture to the city this January.”
A modern masterpiece, Girl From The North Country opens this January at the newly restored Theatre Royal Sydney as part of 2022 Sydney Festival.
All performances will have conditions of entry adhering to the relevant NSW Government Public Health Orders and health advice.
For more information and tickets, visit northcountry.com.au and theatreroyalsydney.com
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Calling All Dreamers: Vivid Sydney Wants You
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries.
“I encourage the brightest talents to join Destination NSW in creating an event that elevates the Harbour City as the Asia Pacific’s leader in world-class cultural experiences.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of “Dream” to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
“Dreaming is something we all do. It’s as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams don’t discriminate – they are borderless, ageless and endless. They can be personal or public. When shared, our dreams can become a movement. They can inspire, motivate, spark excitement and connection.
“The whole world dreams, it is something we have in common, something that unites us. Our human story is embedded in dreams, they help explain our existence and our past.
“We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives.
“Each year Vivid Sydney aims to deliver unparalleled artistic brilliance and we look forward to welcoming the inspirations within our community that will help shape Vivid Sydney 2025 into a show-stopping cultural phenomenon.”
The Vivid Sydney EOI outlines opportunities for artists, designers, creative industry professionals, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, promoters, restaurants, event companies, chefs, producers and educational institutions to present their ideas, designs, concepts and interest for inclusion in the annual event.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on Monday 2 September 2024 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on Friday 27 September 2024.
This year’s Vivid Sydney attracted 2.42 million attendees, making it the third largest on record. Highlights included a record-breaking opening night and the busiest single night in the festival’s history on Sunday 9 June.
While Vivid Sydney 2024 attracted millions of people from across Australia and the globe, it also had a profound impact on the creative minds who helped bring the event to life, including Sydney’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
Leila Jeffreys the artist behind popular Vivid Light 2024 installation Nest said: “Thank you to Festival Director Gill Minervini and all at Vivid Sydney for giving me and my artistic collaborator Melvin J. Montalban the opportunity to create art on a scale that we could not have achieved on our own.
“I visited Nest many times throughout the festival and was always moved to see people from all walks of life and ages stand together to witness the courtship dance of the Brolga, a moment where we all felt the link between the natural world and the human journey.”
Tekno Train creator and composer Paul Mac said: “When I set out to create Tekno Train I wanted to make an experience that fused my love of techno and trains with lights and to share this joy with as many people as possible. The positive reactions I have received from people on the train, as well as the drivers, guards, and random folks on social media has absolutely blown me away.
“Vivid Sydney 2024 has been an unexpected career highlight, and I am forever grateful to everyone who helped bring this together.”
Club Broadway MC & Music Producer DJ Dan Murphy said: “Bringing our Club Broadway show to a Vivid Sydney audience has been an absolute joy. We loved making our show accessible to a whole new audience who love the world of musical theatre.
“Vivid Sydney is such an amazing and important festival for our city, and we were thrilled to be on the program. From old to young, we had them all on the dancefloor for Club Broadway at Tumbalong Park. The night was absolutely magical and a great way to celebrate our community.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
Service and Creative Skills Australia (the Jobs and Skills Council for Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality) CEO Natalie Turmine said: “Vivid Sydney showcases brilliantly our talented and vibrant creative arts, tourism and hospitality workforce, demonstrating the wealth of exciting career opportunities available in this sector.
“Thank you to all the creative artists, technicians, performers, hospitality staff and event organisers for delivering another successful Vivid Sydney.”
Plate it Forward CEO and restaurateur Shaun Christie-David said: “Vivid Sydney shows the diversity of Sydney, shining a positive light on our city, culture and produce. As a social enterprise hospitality group, it was a privilege to partner with Vivid Sydney to bring the 2024 festival theme humanity to life through food. Food is all about sharing, love, respect and community.
“There is so much pride, joy and power that can be found in food, it is a platform to celebrate culture, make meaningful connections and create jobs. Through working with Vivid Food and selling more than 1000 tacos, more than 1500 meals will be donated to community kitchens for people in need.”
Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food and the incredible vibe…Vivid Sydney has once again delivered a spectacular event for visitors and locals of all ages, with the big winners being local tourism and hospitality operators.”
“The bright lights of Vivid Sydney have showcased first-class hospitality, creativity and our beloved Sydney CBD and Harbour icons to audiences across the globe, demonstrating the value and huge potential of this event and the need to continue investing in world class events.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
Accommodation Australia’s Michael Johnson said: “Once again, the juggernaut that is Vivid Sydney illuminated the city, shining a light on the beauty and culture of the city.
“Over the course of the event, hotels in the CBD enjoyed 75 per cent occupancy with bookings reaching as high as 90 per cent on weekends. There is no denying major events such as Vivid Sydney, that have the capacity to draw a high level of overnight visitation in the middle of winter, create an incredible boost for the city’s visitor economy.”
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney 2025, go to www.vividsydney.com