Meet the Cast
Donna Sheridan
Natalie O’Donnell
Natalie is delighted to join the MAMMA MIA! Australia cast as ‘Donna’, coming full circle from her original appearance as ‘Sophie’ in the 2001 Australian Tour for Littlestar/Universal/Dainty Consolidated Entertainment.
Natalie has appeared in many musical & theatre productions both locally and internationally. Some of her highlights include Songs for a New World (‘Co-Lead’) Blue Saint Productions; Next to Normal (‘Diana’) Doorstep Arts/Hayes Theatre; Murderous Instincts (‘Lauren’) Savoy Theatre, West End; The Sunshine Club (‘Rose’) Sydney Theatre Company: Les Miserables Cameron Mackintosh; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (‘Olive’) Melbourne Theatre Company; Jerry’s Girls (Co-Lead, as Herself); Crazy For You (‘Polly’) for The Production Company; One Night the Moon (Rose) Malthouse Theatre Company; and ‘Hipbone Sticking Out’ for Big hART.
Natalie’s television credits include: The Doctor Blake Mysteries; Mako: Island of Secrets; Mr & Mrs Murder; Rush; Satisfaction; All Saints and the made for television movie of South Pacific; starring Glenn Close. She has also appeared alongside Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss in the romantic comedy, My Life in Ruins and in the independent Australian film Taj.
Sophie Sheridan
Sarah Morrison
Sarah started her career as a member of the Children’s Chorus with Opera Queensland, before gaining her Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at the Ballarat Arts Academy. Sarah went on to play ‘Tracy’ in Dust for Queens Theatre/Brisbane’s Powerhouse and toured internationally with a number of children’s musicals for Nickelodeon and Pen2Stage before being cast in the breakthrough lead role of ‘Lisa’, in Ladies in Black which enjoyed sellout seasons at both the Queensland and Melbourne Theatre Companies. Sarah has recently finished a return national tour of Ladies in Black.
Other theatre credits include the role of Charlie’s delightful sister ‘Sally’ in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Vass Productions/Alex Theatre), Dust (Hubcap Productions), Meet the Nicktoons (Pen 2 Stage), Hansel and Gretel and La Bohème (Opera Queensland), and Third World Blues (Company Eleven).
In addition to her stage work, Sarah has appeared in television shows such as The Doctor Blake Mysteries and Making Dust for ABC Artscape.
Rosie
Alicia Gardiner
Alicia Gardiner is an Australian actress who has performed in numerous television, film and theatre productions. She graduated with a Bachelor of Performance from both the Victorian College of the Arts (voice), and Monash University (drama).
Her television credits include Redfern Now, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Jack Irish: Bad Debts, Last Man Standing, Kath & Kim, Dogwoman, The Secret Life of Us, and as the lead role Carmel McCaffery in the ABC miniseries Queen Kat, Carmel & St Jude. She is probably best known to Australian audiences as nurse Kim Akerholt, after being part of all seasons of the award-winning show Offspring, and its spin-off web series’ The Caravan and St Francis.
Alicia featured in the web series Four Quarters, has been involved in many children’s TV series including Fergus McPhail, Noah & Saskia, Short Cuts and the feature film Downriver. Her theatre credits include “Moliere’s” Love Is The Best Doctor, Into The Woods, and the original Australian production of MAMMA MIA! in the role of Ali.
Alicia can be seen in the TV series Wolf Creek, based on the popular movie franchise, and one of the first Australian drama series to be made for streaming service Stan.
Tanya
Jayde Westaby
Jayde trained at Bird College of Performing Arts in London where she received a 1st BA Hons Theatre and Performance Degree.
Jayde’s credits include playing the role of ‘Judy Haynes’ in White Christmas, ‘Magenta’ in The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour), ‘Mona’ & covering ‘Velma Kelly’ in Chicago (London West End), ‘Mary Delgado’ in Jersey Boys (London West End), ‘Rosie’ in Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory), ‘Anita’ on the 50th Anniversary tour of West Side Story, ‘Rizzo’ in Grease (West End), ‘Stephanie Mangano’ on the UK and Asian tour of Saturday Night Fever, ‘Ali’ in MAMMA MIA! (International Tour), the original London cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie (London West End) and Disney’s Beauty & the Beast (UK Tour).
Jayde worked in the Opening & Closing ceremonies of 2012 Olympics in London.
Since coming to Australia, she has been seen once again as ‘Magenta’ in the most recent Rocky Horror Show (2015). Jayde was also seen in the same role in the Anniversary Gala performance which went live into UK cinemas and then released on global television. In 2016 Jayde played the role of ‘Melpomene’ in Xanadu at The Hayes Theatre, Sydney and was part of the original cast in the critically acclaimed Dreamlover, directed by Simon Phillips. Early 2017 saw Jayde taking on the role of ‘Lucille Ball’ in Everybody Loves Lucy touring Australia.
Sam Carmichael
Ian Stenlake
Ian Stenlake, a NIDA graduate, is one of the most sought after performers in Australian film, television and theatre. Known for his lead role as ‘Mike Flynn’ in the Nine Network’s Sea Patrol and five seasons of the hit series, Stingers also for Nine.
Ian’s Theatre career is extensive, having starred in the national tour of Guys & Dolls as ‘Skye Masterson’, Truth, Beauty & A Picture of You, The Pajama Game, Songs For A New World to name a few.
Most recently Ian has performed in the national tour of Georgy Girl, as ‘John Ashby’, and the role of ‘Phileaus Fogg’ in Ellis Productions tour of Around the World in 80 Days. Some of his other Theatre credits include Caress/Ache for Griffin Theatre Company, Daylight Saving for Darlinghurst Theatre Company, The School of the Arts for QTC, and Sleeping Beauty for Malthouse Theatre.
Ian’s additional screen credits include Dance Academy, Murder Call and Children’s Hospital. His film credits include Dingles Down Under, Diana & Me, Trapped in Space and The Godfather III directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Ian is a two time Green Room Award Winner for his performances in They’re Playing our Song in 2004, and Oklahoma! in 2006. Ian also received two Green Room nominations for his performances in Sam Mendes’ production of Cabaret and the new Australian musical, Eureka.
Harry Bright
Phillip Lowe
Phillip is one of Australia’s most versatile actors, having a varied career on stage and screen for the last 25 years. He studied music from an early age and at 19 accepted a place in the musical theatre program at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
He moved to Sydney to join the original Australian cast of the tap musical Crazy For You and went on to appear in Cabaret and Showboat – all for the Gordon Frost Organisation. In 2000, Phillip joined the Sydney Theatre Company to play Peter Walsh in The Sunshine Club before taking a break from performing to work on the family’s oyster farm.
In 2004 however, he returned to commercial theatre to play thirteen roles in the hit production of The Producers and the subsequent years saw Phillip represent Sweden and the UK in the Eurovision spoof Eurobeat then joining the Australian tour of Dusty and eventually returning to Sydney to play Morris Brummell in No Way To Treat A Lady for Darlinghurst Theatre Company.
In 2012 Phillip joined the Australasian tour of Mary Poppins as Mr Northbrook. In 2013 when he joined the cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Phillip then toured with the stage farce Legends before appearing in several independent productions in Sydney: Sondheim on Sondheim, Beyond Desire, Blood Brothers and High Society.
For most of 2016, Phillip played the legendary ‘Keith Potger’ in Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical and most recently has won critical acclaim as Edward Bloom in Big Fish at Hayes Theatre Company.
In addition to appearing in numerous TV commercials, Phillip’s television credits include roles on McLeod’s Daughter’s, All Saints, Home and Away, the CBS mini-series Blonde, Crownies, Anzac Girls and the documentary Australia: The Story of Us.
On the big screen Phillip’s film credits include Thank God He Met Lizzie, Black and White and The Honorable Wally Norman.
Bill Austin
Josef Ber
Josef Ber is a NIDA graduate; known for his series regular role of ‘Sgt Dominic Wales’ in the critically acclaimed television show, Rush for Network TEN/Southern Star, he also has a stage career which is equally expansive.
Josef starred in productions such as Grease for The Gordon Frost Organization, which saw him tour Australia and New Zealand; The Tempest for The Bell Shakespeare Company; Lobby Hero for The Ensemble Theatre; The Laramie Project and Run Rabbit Run for Company B, Belvoir; My First Time, Sydney Opera House; Tiger Country, and Porn Cake for Griffin Theatre Company. Most recently he performed the role of Rabbit in the critically acclaimed Darlinghurst Theatre Company production of Savages, directed by Tim Roseman in 2016.
Josef’s television credits include: Janet King, Brock, Redfern Now, ANZAC Girls, Devils Dust, Tricky Business, Wild Boys, Rescue Special Ops, McLeod’s Daughters, East West 101, Love My Way, Wildside, Water Rats, Murder Call, Home & Away, Young Lions and The Alice.
Josef’s film credits include Ned, directed by Abe Forsythe, The Junction.
Sky
Stephen Mahy
Stephen Mahy is a fine young actor who trained at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Upon graduation, Stephen was cast in the Australasian tour of Miss Saigon, which toured around the country to great reviews as did his on-screen guest appearance in Southern Star’s ‘Out of the Blue’.
2008 saw Stephen take the key role of ‘Laurie Laurence’ in Kookaburra Theatre Company’s production of Little Women, followed by a great role in a new production called Karaoke – The Musical. The demand for Stephen intensified leading to him being cast as one of the Four Season’s crooners, ‘Bob Gaudio’, in Jersey Boys for the Australian sell out Tour.
You may also recognise Stephen as finalist on Channel Ten’s I Will Survive TV show or from his guest staring role on Mr and Mrs Murder as ‘Dave Foote’.
In 2013 Stephen delighted packed houses in his role as ‘Mr Hugh Hanson’ in SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody.
Later in 2013, Stephen was cast in the Gordon Frost Organisation production of Grease the Musical as the one and only, ‘Kenickie’. In 2014 Stephen was cast as ‘Danny’ in the Singapore tour of Grease the Musical and in 2015 Stephen played the role of ‘Brad’ in The Rocky Horror Show by the Gordon Frost Organisation.
Ali
Monique Sallé
Monique is a graduate of both AIM -The Australian Institute of Music (B. Mus in Musical Theatre) and Brent Street (Cert IV Performing Arts).
She made her professional debut in the Australian Helpmann Award winning production of A Chorus Line – TML Enterprises, in the role of Bebe/understudy Diana. Most recently, Monique appeared in Ghost the Musical (Molly understudy) for The Ambassador Theatre Group/GWB Entertainment. Other theatre credits; include Rent (Highway Run Productions & Hayes Theatre Co), Triassic Parq, Carrie: The Musical and as both choreographer and performer for The Drowsy Chaperone and Sondheim on Sondheim (Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre).
On television, Monique is known for her role in ABC’s Splashdance with the live show touring Australia. She also appeared in the Foxtel series Deadly Women.
Monique is represented by T&E Management, has been a proud member of MEAA since 2012
Lisa
Jessica Di Costa
Jessica graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre). Prior to this she completed a Certificate II in Music Theatre, also at WAAPA.
Her roles during this time include: ‘Violet’ in Jeanine Tesori’s Violet, ‘Miss Jones’ in Frank Loesser’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and ‘Jack’s Mother’ in James Lepine’s and Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods.
Jessica made her professional debut in the Australian tour of Grease (GFO) 2013- 2015 in which she covered the roles of ‘Rizzo’ and ‘Jan’. Although most of her time is spent in live theatre she has a passion for screen acting and in 2016 Jessica played the role of ‘Wendy Whiteley’ in the film Whiteley.
Pepper
Sam Hooper
Sam is a 2011 graduate of the VCA Bachelor of Music Theatre, where he was awarded the Cassidy Bequest Scholarship in his graduating year.
He began performing at the age of 11 when he commenced dance training at the May Downs School of Dancing under the direction of Renie Ann Martini. At the age of 13, he appeared in Cameron Macintosh’s Oliver! He was also part of the original cast of the world premiere production of King Kong Live on Stage. Other credits include performing with Robert Sturrock’s Industry Dance Company in Exogenesis, Funny Girl (ProdCo), and he devised and premiered in his one man show: Death Suits You for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival.
Sam has performed in Cats throughout Australia and internationally in the roles of ‘Tumblebrutus’, ‘Skimbleshanks’ and ‘George’. Sam directed and choreographed OCPAC’s 2016 production of Catch Me If You Can, for which he received the Bruce Award For Excellence for both Best Direction and Best Choreography. Most recently he directed and choreographed Company Eleven’s 2017 production of They’re Playing Our Song
Eddie
Alex Gibson-Giorgio
In 2014, Alex graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), where he performed the roles of Judd Fry in Oklahoma!, Harold Slocum in Summer Rain and in his graduating year, Arthur in James Millar and Peter Rutherford’s A Little Touch of Chaos (dir. Iain Sinclair) and Marryin’ Sam in Lil’ Abner (dir. Martin Croft).
Prior, Alex attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and is a graduate of the NIDA Diploma of Music Theatre course.
Alex is the 2014 recipient of the Ron and Margaret Dobell Award. In 2015, Alex made his professional debut as part of the ensemble for Anything Goes. In 2016, Alex performed on stage in Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical, and from 2016-2017 Alex performed in the Australian stage production of Disney’s Aladdin.
Father Alex / Ensemble
Stephen Anderson
Stephen was an original cast member of the Australian and New Zealand tour of Matilda the Musical playing ‘Sergei’ and understudying ‘Miss Trunchbull’ and ‘Mr Wormwood’. His previous theatre credits include: The Bugalugs Bum Thief (Monkey Baa Theatre Company); Man of La Mancha (Squabbalogic); The Light in the Piazza (NIDA); Falsettos (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); A Year with Frog and Toad (Ensemble Theatre); The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom (Tall Stories/CDP Theatre Producers); The Venetian Twins, What A Shock ‘N’ Shame, Little Shop of Horrors (New Theatre); DNA (Spiky Red Things/TRS); Berlin (The Street theatre); Crusade (Kookaburra); Dead Man Walking (Alexander Productions); Don’t Hate Us Because We’re Good (Melbourne Fringe) and Mountain Language (NIDA). On television, Stephen has appeared in Whitlam: The Power and the Passion (ABC/Bombora Film and TV). In 2014 he was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award: Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical, for his role in Falsettos. Stephen is a NIDA graduate.
Ensemble
Jadie Bastow
Jadie began her training in dance, drama and singing at the age of 7 at Brent Street: Australia’s leading performing arts centre. As a member of Brent Street, Jadie performed in the US at Disneyland, in Beijing for an internationally broadcasted new year celebration and numerous nationally televised award ceremonies including People’s Choice Awards and Variety Heart Awards.
Her commercial work has seen her share the stage with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Tina Arena and Todd McKenney. Jadie’s theatrical debut saw her play the role of ‘Baby June’, in Gypsy. Since then, she has added Cinderella, Beyond the Game and Summer Surprises to her list of theatrical credits.
In addition to a number of television commercials, Jadie’s TV acting credits includes featured roles on Home & Away, GP, All Saints and Breakers. Film performances have seen her work alongside the Olsen twins on feature film, Our Lips Are Sealed and Tropfest short film, The Making of the Darlings. Most recently, Jadie has been performing as the lead singer in corporate band, Planet Groove, and was the featured singer at a gala charity event at The Star for organisation, Save Our Sons.
Jadie is thrilled to join the cast of MAMMA MIA!
Dance Captain / Swing
Dion Bilios
Dion has been involved in stage and performance since the age of four and began working professionally in music theatre from the age of 11. As a young actor he appeared as Gavroche in the 10th anniversary edition of Les Miserables, Sammy in Jolson and Captain in Oliver!
Dion then toured with the Australian production of Altar Boys performing the role of Mark, was in the original cast of the Australian production of Mary Poppins and starred as Frankie Valli in the Australian/New Zealand production of Jersey Boys. Dion appeared in the Australian tour of Wicked, played the role of Rory West in the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons of Strictly Ballroom and played the role of Thalia in Xanadu at the Hayes Theatre. Most recently he appeared in Disney’s Aladdin understudying and performing the roles of Iago and Omar. He performs regularly in the high energy, tap comedy show, The Tap Pack.
Dion has featured in numerous television commercials and series including his role as ‘Bud’ in the AFI Award winning film Soft Fruit.
Ensemble
DU TOIT BREDENKAMP
Du Toit made his professional stage debut in 2015 in the Gordon Frost Organisation’s Australian touring production of The Sound of Music where he played ‘Rolf Gruber’. He has recently finished shooting the
ABC TV mini-series, Friday On My Mind, based on the legendary Aussie band. Du Toit plays founding band member, Dick Diamonde. He also appeared in series three of ABC TV’s Janet King. Prior to this, he played ‘Russell Morris’ in the award-winning Channel Seven television series, Molly, based on the life of Molly Meldrum.
Du Toit holds two degrees from the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts (WAAPA): BA Music Theatre and BMus in Classical Piano. He was privileged to act as Musical Director for the WAAPA productions Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, as well as a tribute show to Nick Enright, Enright in The Enright. Whilst at WAAPA Du Toit received the Hal Leonard Award for Special Contribution to the Music Theatre course. Also an aspiring composer, Du Toit’s cabaret, The 7:02pm Project, won the Julie Michael Award for Best Musical Cabaret.
Ensemble
ANNIE CHISWELL
Having just graduated in 2016, Annie is absolutely thrilled to be making her professional musical theatre debut in MAMMA MIA!. Originally from Adelaide, Annie has always had a passion for the stage; even if that ‘stage’ growing up was her parents’ lounge room.
She began her formal training in 2012 at Adelaide College of the Arts, completing an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting) in 2014. With a view to further pursuing her academic and artistic goals, Annie made the move to Melbourne in 2015, graduating with a Diploma of Musical Theatre last year with APO Arts Academy, under a scholarship program.
Ensemble
Matt Edwards
A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Music Theatre), Matt’s previous work includes: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Blackbird Productions), Elegies (WAAPA), lead production singer on the Pacific Dawn (P&O), The Diamond Horseshoe at Tokyo Disneyland, ‘Shaggy’ in Scooby Doo The Musical (Life Like Touring) and My Fair Lady (Opera Australia). Matt has also appeared in several productions of CATS (The Really Useful Company) across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, performing a variety of roles including ‘Quaxo’, ‘Carbucketty’, ‘The Rum Tum Tugger’ and ‘Munkustrap’.
As well as performing, Matt works in the digital side of the arts with his company Emptyhead Designs and as Digital Director of AussieTheatre.com.
Matt has been a proud member of Equity since 2002.
Ensemble
Josh Gates
Originally from Hobart Tasmania Josh Gates started his career understudying the role of a ‘young Peter Allen’ in The Boy From Oz, starring Hugh Jackman. He then performed the title role of ‘Billy Elliot’ in Billy Elliot the Musical in Melbourne and Sydney, which won him a Green Room Award for Best Actor in a Musical and an Australian Dance Award.
Josh performed in La Cage Aux Folles (The Production Company), ‘Purser’ in the 2015 Australian tour of Anything Goes (Opera Australia/GFO), ‘Bellhop/Bootblack’ in Born Yesterday (Melbourne Theatre Company), in the Australian tour of the 60th anniversary production of My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/GFO, directed by Julie Andrews).
Swing
Catty Hamilton
Catty is thrilled to be partying with you on the Greek Isles!
Represented by T&E Management; her training includes a BMus from The Australian Institute of Music and additional dance training at Brent Street Studios and Broadway Dance Center.
Most recently, Catty appeared in Wayne Scott Kermond’s Spiegelesque!
Other theatre credits include Opera Australia’s The Eighth Wonder, The Hayes Theatre Company’s Xanadu, Resort World Sentosa’s Universal Studios Singapore and the Australian tour of A Night With Julie Andrews for GFO. As well as cheering on the Sydney Kings as a Kings Harlequin for their 2016/17 cheerleading season, Catty is also a proud ‘Diamond’ for SMA Productions The Diamonds Live.
TV credits include Good Morning America (NYC), A Place To Call Home (Channel Seven) and Magical Tales (Channel Nine).
Ensemble
Matthew Hamilton
Matthew Hamilton is delighted to be joining the cast of MAMMA MIA!
Born and raised in the Midwest of the U.S. Matt started his career as a dancer/singer at the age of 18 working for such companies as Disney Tokyo Resort, Disney Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Paramount Parks. His aspirations took him to training both in New York and Los Angeles.
His theatre credits include the Australian premier of Wicked covering the role of ‘Fiyero’, ‘Father’ and ‘Dr. Dillamond’, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Georgy Girl the Seekers Musical, Once, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound of Music, Damn Yankees and most recently in Dream Lover starring David Campbell and directed by Simon Phillips.
His TV credits include the shows All My Children, One Life To Live and Rescue Me.
Matt can currently be seen in the short film The Drowning Pool and the feature film The Spirit of the Game and later in the year, channel 7’s Olivia Newton Johns telemovie.
Matt is represented by Emma Raciti Management and a proud member of MEAA.
Swing
Emma Hawthorne
Since graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Musical Theatre, Emma has become a seasoned performer in musical theatre, cabaret, film and television.
Musical credits include the Australasian tour of Wicked (GFO), Dusty (The Production Company), Annie (GFO),Dr Zhivago (GFO),West Side Story (West Side Story Australasia), Fiddler on the Roof (TML Enterprises), Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical (Three Amigos Productions), Kiss Me Kate (The Production Company),Hats Off, and Godspell: Prepare Ye (Hayden Tee).
Emma also loves cabaret performance and debuted her first solo show entitled Catch a Falling Star in 2013 which also featured an exhibition of her artworks. Other cabaret credits include Emotional Baggage, Mini Cabs, and corporate work with Carousel Entertainment. Theatre credits include various Short and Sweet festivals, Brainstorm Productions and The Taming of the Shrew and Alice in Wonderland (Greencyc Productions). Children’s Entertainment credits include various Bilby Productions and host for the Wild Aussies (Promotechnics). Film credits include the MTV pilot Sick, short film Absence (SFS), and Optus campaign “The in-betweeners”.
Outside of performing, Emma is also a professional yoga instructor, choreographer, and is a resident teacher at the Sydney Dance Company Studios.
Swing
Zoe Komazec
Born into a theatrical family, Zoe discovered her passion for performing very early, beginning her training in the arts at the age of two at her mother’s studio in Adelaide; ‘Barbara Jayne Dance Centre’.
Zoe went on to make her professional debut in the role of ‘Tantomile’ in Cats in 2010 – a role she then returned to once again in 2015. In between, Zoe was part of the Australian cast of The Addams Family Musical where she understudied the role of ‘Wednesday Addams’. Most recently Zoe has toured Australia with the hugely successful Matilda The Musical as Swing, Assistant Dance Captain and becoming Dance Captain for the New Zealand tour.
Zoe has been featured as a singer and dancer at various corporate events in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Her on stage credits also include the International hit production The Illusionists 2.0 where she was engaged as a Dancer and Assistant as well as Dance Captain for the show.
On screen, Zoe played ‘Rainbow the Activity Fairy’ in the popular Children’s TV Series The Fairies for Channel 7 and has appeared in numerous film clips and television advertising campaigns.
Ensemble
Sarah Kate landy
Sarah Kate Landy performed the lead role of ‘Ellen’ in the Australian production of Miss Saigon (Cameron Macintosh). In London she played the role of ‘Sophia’ (1st cover ‘Annette’) in Saturday Night Fever (West End) and the role of ‘Ashley’ (cover ‘Pearl’ and ‘Dinah’) in Starlight Express Germany and later as Ashley (1st cover ‘Pearl’) in New Zealand.
Sarah Kate Landy has covered the roles of ‘Mary Poppins’, the ‘Bird Woman’ and ‘Katy-Nanna’ in the Cameron Macintosh Australian/New Zealand tour of Mary Poppins and most recently toured Australia and New Zealand as the role of ‘Bombalurina’ in CATS (starring Delta Goodrem).
Other credits include Mack n Mabel, Follies, Songs of Stage and Screen with The 7 Sopranos, The Man with the September Face, and the 2010 Grand final in Australias Got Talent with Rolling Entertainment.
Sarah’s training at the Victorian Ballet School, Dance world 301 (Diploma in performing arts) and the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of music (grade 8 A.M.E.B in voice) has served her well in her career.
Ensemble
Courtney Monsma
Courtney was accepted into the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Bachelor of Musical Theatre program immediately after graduating high school. Whilst there, under the direction of Associate Professor Paul Sabey, she played the roles of ‘Charity’ in Sweet Charity, ‘Carmen’ in The Life; toured with the production of I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change to Sydney and Melbourne as well as playing in Brisbane. She recently played ‘Maria’ in the Queensland Conservatorium’s production of West Side Story, before graduating with academic honours.
Courtney appeared in Opera Queensland’s Kiss Me Kate and was a featured soloist in the Rhonda Birchmore concert with the Queensland Pops Orchestra concert in the Concert Hall at QPAC. Courtney was delighted to be cast in MAMMA MIA! early in her final year at the Conservatorium.
This production marks her professional debut.
Swing
Clay Roberts
Clay Roberts is a graduate from the prestigious WAAPA. Soon after graduating Clay was cast in the role of ‘Henry’ in Doorstep Arts production of Next to Normal which played at GPAC then onto the Hayes Theatre in Sydney. He then went on to perform in the South Korean Tour of CATS, as ‘Coricopat’ u/s ‘Munkustrap’ ‘Rum Tum Tugger’ ‘Mungojerrie’ ‘Plato/Macavity’ ‘Alonzo’. Shortly after he played the role of ‘Munkustrap’ for the Macau season of CATS. While at WAAPA Clay performed in numerous musicals, to name a few, Thoroughly Modern Millie as ‘Jimmy Smith’, Assassins as ‘John Hinkley Jr’ and Spring Awakening as ‘Hanschen’. Previous to joining WAAPA Clay performed in his native New Zealand in the musical productions of 42nd Street and CATS for Amici Productions. Clay was most recently seen in Tim Minchin’s hit Matilda the Musical as a swing performer and as understudy to ‘Doctor’, ‘Escapologist’, ‘Michael’ and ‘Bruce’ for the full Australian and New Zealand tour.
Swing
Leigh Sleightholme
Leigh began his dance training at just 15 under the tuition of Robert Sturrock. He has also trained with vocal coach Maggie Britton and holds extensive training in acrobatics. Since 2011, Leigh has been a lead vocalist & an original cast member for the critically acclaimed show Boys In The Band (SMA Productions), touring internationally to South Africa, China, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, & Australia wide.
Performance credits include Warner Bros Movieworld, Storm (Conrad Jupiters), The Man From Snowy River (David Atkins), Bindi & The Crocmen (Australia Zoo), Der Rosenkavalier (Opera Australia), Carmen (Opera Australia) and performed the role of ‘Chistery’ in Wicked (Universal Studios Japan).
Leigh made his professional musical theatre debut in 2005, performing in We Will Rock You (Japan), a tour he was invited back to repeat in 2007. He then went on to perform as an ensemble member for High School Musical – Live On Stage, male swing in the 10th anniversary Australian production of MAMMA MIA!, and originated the role of ‘Big Bud Dean’/Ensemble for the Australian premiere of Heathers: The Musical. Most recently Leigh was seen in the 2016 Australian production of We Will Rock You.
Ensemble
Thalia Smith
Hailing from Dubbo in NSW, Thalia began training in dance at a very early age. After graduation, she was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts. In her graduating year Thalia played the lead role of ‘Peggy Sawyer’ in 42nd Street. Her other VCA credits include Principal Dancer for the Masters of Choreography students in their piece, Unknown Forms, ‘Mrs Millennium’ in Urinetown, and Dance Captain for Lil Abner. She was also one of a few students selected to travel to New York as a part of the Global Atelier scholarship program. Thalia made her professional debut in We Will Rock You (GFO) as ensemble/cover ‘Scaramouche’. She recently took on the role of ‘Cha Cha’ in Harvest Rain’s Grease and was thrilled to perform in The Production Company’s Hello Dolly.
Ensemble
Lisa Sontag
Having acquired a Diploma in Dance at Dance World 301, Lisa made her professional debut in the original cast of The Boy From Oz with Todd McKenney. Lisa then went on to complete a BA in Music Theatre at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Continuing her professional career, she has appeared with the Production Company in Call Me Madam, Guys and Dolls, The Boy from Oz and as Zelda Zanders in Singing in the Rain.
Lisa performed in and understudied multiple lead roles in The Producers, Respect-the Musical, Mary Poppins, The Addams Family (Dance Captain), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and played the role of Frenchy in Grease – The Arena Spectacular, opposite John Farnham, for which she won a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actress. Lisa played the role of Helene in the premiere production at the Hayes Theatre, Sweet Charity.
Lisa’s theatre credits include Tanya in Love by Patricia Cornelius (Hothouse/Malthouse Production), and Abigail in The Crucible (WAAPA). Lisa appeared in the Australian feature film Wil and has most recently finished the Australian tour of Les Miserables as the Madame.
Lisa has appeared in many film clips, televised variety performances and is an accomplished Dance Teacher and Choreographer. Lisa runs her own Music and Movement Programs for Preschools around Sydney (Jam N Jive Juniors).
Ensemble
Zachary Webster
Since graduating from Brent Street’s Certificate IV in Performing Arts, Zachary has featured as a dancer on Young Talent Time, The X-Factor, So You Think You Can Dance Australia and Dance Academy as well on stage for the AACTA Awards, Premiers Gala Concert, 13 Rooms choreographed by Rafael Bonachela and in the shows Barney Live! & The Little Big Club – Happy Together. He has appeared in numerous advertorials and campaigns including McDonalds, Telstra and Nickelodeon.
Zachary made his Musical Theatre debut in the Hayes Theatre production of Mack & Mabel and more recently has appeared in the ensemble for RPG’s and Hayes Theatre Production of Big Fish.
original creatives
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BENNY ANDERSSON
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BENNY ANDERSSON
Born 16 December 1946 in Stockholm.
1952: Received accordion lessons from his father and grandfather.
1964-68: Member of the Hep Stars, Sweden’s most popular rock band in the 1960’s. During this time, he began composing music. “Sunny Girl” and “Wedding” were huge hits for the Hep Stars.
1972-82: ABBA.
1982-84: Composed the music (together with Björn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice) for the musical, Chess.
1987: Began collaborating with Orsa Spelmän. Recorded three albums deeply rooted in Swedish folk music: Klinga Mina Klockor, November 1989 and Fiolen Min. In 2001, this collaboration led to the formation of Benny Andersson’s Orchestra, a 16-man constellation with vocalists, Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg. Thus far, this has resulted in five CD albums and several summer tours.
1990-95: Composed the music to Kristina from Duvemåla. Premiered in October 1995.
1995: Received the title of professor from the Swedish government. Inducted to in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2007. Appointed Honorary Doctor of the College of Humanities at Stockholm University in 2008, and at Luleå University of Technology in 2012.
Benny Andersson is married to former TV producer, Mona Nörklit. They have one child, Ludvig Andersson. Benny Andersson also has two children from a previous marriage, Peter Grönvall and Helene Odedal. He has five grandchildren: Charlie, Felix, Fabian, Malin and Viola.
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BJÖRN ULVAEUS
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BJÖRN ULVAEUS
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus was born in Gothenburg on April 25, 1945. When he was six years old the family moved to the small town of Västervik, and this is where Björn grew up. In the mid-Fifties Björn fell in love with rock’n’roll and skiffle. By the early Sixties he was a member of a folk group called the West Bay Singers. In 1963 they entered a talent contest arranged by Swedish radio. This led to discovery by songwriter and publisher Stig Anderson and his partner, Bengt Bernhag. Stig and Bengt had recently started a record company called Polar Music. The band acquired a new name, the Hootenanny Singers, and quickly became one of Sweden’s most popular groups of the Sixties. In 1966, Björn had a chance meeting with Benny Andersson, himself a member of Swedens number one pop group, The Hep Stars. They hit it off and wrote their first song together, ‘Isn’t It Easy To Say’. Björn recorded a couple of solo singles in the late Sixties, at which point he also started concentrating more on his collaboration with Benny Andersson. In 1970 the pair started releasing records as a duo and also staged a cabaret show together with their fiancées, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. On July 6, 1971, Björn and Agnetha got married. From 1972 and a decade onwards Björn was occupied by his work with ABBA. In 1983 Björn and Benny started writing the musical Chess with lyricist Tim Rice. A concept album was released in the autumn of 1984, and in May 1986 the musical opened in London’s West End. In 1988 Chess received its Broadway première. A reworked version of the musical opened in Stockholm, Sweden in 2002. By 1990, Björn and Benny had decided to write a new musical. This time they wanted to write exclusively in Swedish, and they chose the Emigrants novel series by author Vilhelm Moberg as basis for their work. The musical Kristina från Duvemåla (Kristina From Duvemåla) opened in October 1995. The show ran for three and a half years at various theatres in the Swedish cities of Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Björn and Benny’s most recent musical is Hjälp sökes (Help Wanted), a collaboration with playwright Kristina Lugn and Kristina director Lars Rudolfsson. Björn writes many of the lyrics for the Benny Andersson Orchestra, and has involved himself in the stagings of MAMMA MIA!, as well as the 2008 movie version.
BOOK BY
CATHERINE JOHNSON
BOOK BY
CATHERINE JOHNSON
Theatre: Rag Doll, Renegades, Suspension (Bristol Old Vic); Too Much Too Young (Bristol Old Vic and London Bubble); Boys Mean Business, Dead Sheep, Little Baby Nothing (Bush Theatre, London); Shang-a-Lang (Bush Theatre and national tour); and Mamma Mia! (worldwide); Through the Wire and A Letter to Lacey for NT Connections. Creative consultant on ABBA the Museum, Stockholm. Television: “Casualty,” “Byker Grove,” “Love Hurts,” “Gold,” “Linda Green.” Original screenplays: “Rag Doll” and “Where’s Willy?” (HTV) and “Sin Bin” (BBC), the series “Love in the 21st Century” (Channel 4) and “Dappers” (BBC3). Awards: Catherine has won the Bristol Old Vic/HTV Playwrighting Award, Thames Television’s Writer-in-Residence Award and Thames Television’s Best Play Award and was nominated in 2002 for a Tony Award for Best Musical Book for Mamma Mia! Film: Catherine wrote the screenplay for the Mamma Mia! movie released July 2008.
Originally Conceived By
JUDY CRAYMER
Originally Conceived By
JUDY CRAYMER
Judy Craymer graduated from the Guildhall School of Music in 1977 and has since worked extensively in the theatre, film, television and music industries. Judy originated the idea of MAMMA MIA! and, in 1996, formed Littlestar Services Limited with Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Richard East, to produce the stage musical in London. Since then, she has produced 38 productions of MAMMA MIA! in 14 languages around the world. In 2002, Judy was presented with a Woman of the Year Award in recognition for her international success with MAMMA MIA!. In the Queens birthday honours list of 2007, she was honoured with an MBE for her contribution to the music industry. In 2008, Judy produced MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, which became the highest grossing musical film worldwide. That same year, she was honoured with the Women in Film ITV Achievement of the Year Award. MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, a BAFTA for Outstanding British film, and Judy was personally nominated by BAFTA for the Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement. In 2010, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation presented Judy with its Humanitarian Award for her commitment to raising breast cancer awareness and research funding around the globe with MAMMA MIA! and through the sale of the specially created Rock Chick Supremo T-shirts. Following a passion for horses and show jumping, Judy was asked to be an ambassador for British Showjumping, and is proud to support the British Team. Judy is also the producer of VIVA FOREVER!, an original musical based on the songs of The Spice Girls.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL & ARRANGEMENTS BY
Martin Koch
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL & ARRANGEMENTS BY
Martin Koch
Martin Koch received his musical training at The Royal College of Music. He was the musical director for a number of shows including Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), Cats (New London Theatre), The Pirates of Penzance (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Blondel (Aldwych Theatre), The Boy Friend (Shaftesbury Theatre), and Follies (Shaftesbury Theatre).
In addition he was the musical supervisor for Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre in London and also in Toronto and New York City), Into the Woods (Phoenix Theatre), Les Misérables (Barbican Theatre, Palace Theatre, also Oslo, Vienna, Gedansk, Amsterdam, Asian/South Africa tour and Australian tour), Les Misérables – 10th Anniversary Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, also Holland, Australia and also pre-planned the production in Germany and Japan), Just So (Tricycle Theatre), Moby Dick (Piccadilly Theatre), Which Witch (Piccadilly Theatre), Martin Guerre (UK tour).
Mr. Koch has recorded more than nineteen albums, including five gold and two platinum: the original cast albums of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Oliver!, Les Misérables Symphonic, Hey Mr. Producer! CD.
He has orchestrated Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre), Just So, Moby Dick, Tutankhamun, Which Witch and arrangements for many international artists and orchestras.
His television credits include composer of The Olivier Awards (1993, 1994, 1995 & 1999), BAFTA (1995, 1997 & 1999), Auntie‘s Greatest Hits, a program to celebrate 50 years of BBC Television, Winton Wonderland and the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest where he wrote the opening title and devised and wrote the interval act.
AUSTRALIAN CREATIVES & PRODUCTION
Director
Gary Young
Director
Gary Young
Gary wrote and directed the new Australian musical Sideshow Alley. It won the National search for new work by Australian writers and composers, winning the inaugural Pratt Prize for Music Theatre. Gary and composer Paul Keelan also won the prestigious 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Original Score.
Recently, he directed the new Australian musical Georgy Girl, the Kelly Story Musical, Ned, and the Jubilee Anniversary production of The Mousetrap. Shows directed include Cry Me A River, City Of Angels, Forty-Second Street, Fully Committed, Guys And Dolls, Menopause The Musical, Crusade, The Pirates of Penzance, Oh What A Lovely War, Songs From The Pavement and A Little Night Music. For The Production Company he has directed Singing In The Rain, Carousel, Funny Girl, Call Me Madam, Mame, The Boyfriend and most recently Hello Dolly, which starred Marina Prior.
He was Associate Director for Miss Saigon and Les Miserables and for the original Australian production and the 2010 Anniversary production of Mamma Mia!. Other shows include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Aspects Of Love, Tales Of Hoffmann, The Student Prince, The Merry Widow and Scrooge starring Keith Michell.
His original written work includes Tilly, Jekyll and The Man Inside. Current works with composer Paul Keelan include Ship Of Fools, A Woman’s Eyes, Black Widow, the Helpmann nominated Wombat Stew, and Tea With Oscar, nominated for the Green Room Award for Best Original Music and Lyrics, Artemisia, Bim Bom and their latest work, Monster, a Gothic comedy.
Gary is also the author and illustrator of the More Than Two Books.
Awards include The Arts Council Award for Direction, The Helpmann Award, Helpmann nominations, Green Room nominations, The Mo Award, and The Aussie Theatre Award for Best Direction of a Musical.
Choreographer
Tom Hodgson
Choreographer
Tom Hodgson
Creative credits include: Matilda The Musical – International Associate Choreographer Korea (2018), Matilda The Musical – Australian Associate Choreographer; Billy Elliot The Musical – International Associate Choreographer Japan, Korea; Billy Elliot The Musical – Resident Choreographer Broadway; Billy Elliot The Musical – Resident Choreographer Australia; Once – Resident Movement Director Australia; Low Level Panic – Choreographer (The Old Fitz): Skin Tight – Choreographer (fortyfivedownstairs); 42nd Street, Sweet Charity, When Midnight Strikes – Choreographer (Arts Academy, Federation University Australia); 1st Prize – International Competition for Choreographers (Hanover, Germany).
As a performer, Tom has had an extensive international career with companies including: DV8 Physical Theatre, Ricochet Dance Company (UK); Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Conny Janssen Danst, Dansity Amsterdam (The Netherlands); Lucerne Ballet (Switzerland); Ballet Braunschweig, Kiel Ballet (Germany); Force Majeure, Opera Australia, Sue Healey Company (Australia).
Musical Supervisor
Stephen Amos
Musical Supervisor
Stephen Amos
Born in New Zealand, Stephen moved to Australia to study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Piano and Composition. He worked as a repetiteur and keyboard player on the original Australian production of The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Sondheim’s Follies for the Melbourne Festival. He has been Assistant Musical Director for Into the Woods, South Pacific, CATS, The Secret Garden, My Fair Lady, Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Sarah Brightman and Anthony Warlow, and The Sound of Music with Lisa McCune. As Musical Director Stephen’s credits include Grease, West Side Story, the 10th Anniversary production of Les Misérables, the original Australian production of MAMMA MIA!, Kiss Me Kate, Fiddler on the Roof with Topol, War Horse, and Billy Elliot the Musical for which he won a Helpmann award. Stephen wrote the arrangements and orchestrations for the world premiere of the Cat Stevens’ musical Moonshadow and for Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical. Stephen has been Musical Supervisor for MAMMA MIA! (Australia 2009-10), Billy Elliot (Korea and Japan), Georgy Girl, and Matilda the Musical (Australia and Korea) for which he won his second Helpmann Award. He is also in demand as an arranger and producer in the recording studio, having worked on a number of albums including Anthony Callea’s Thirty and the cast album of Georgy Girl.
Set Design
Linda Bewick
Set Design
Linda Bewick
Under her maiden name of Collis, Linda established her own theatre company in South Australia, Nimbus Productions in 1973. After a long acting career Linda turned to writing, direction and set design, directing over 20 productions and designing for productions including, Two Plus Company, Don’t Start Without Me, I do I do, Guys and Dolls, Pajama Game, Cabaret, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brigadoon, Godspell, Camelot, Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat, Grease and most recently The Mousetrap and A Murder is Announced.
Linda then moved into administration and relocated to Sydney to work with Showbiz Bookings, before becoming a founding director of Louise Withers and Associates who have produced and managed many productions over the 15 years including MAMMA MIA!, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot the Musical, Spamalot, Miss Saigon, The Mousetrap, A Murder is Announced, Matilda The Musical and Fawlty Towers Live.
Linda would like to thank, Kerryanne Jensen, Kent Lindstrom and the guys at the Adelaide Festival Workshop for the amazing job they do.
Costume Design
Suzy Strout
Costume Design
Suzy Strout
Suzy has designed costumes for dance & stage productions in Adelaide and most recently for the successful 60th Anniversary production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced. In a production career spanning 35 years Suzy was Design Associate & Supervisor for costumes, wigs, shoes and make-up for the Australian and International productions of major musicals including: Song and Dance, Oliver!, CATS, Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Phantom Of The Opera, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Rent, MAMMA MIA!, The Lion King, Billy Elliot The Musical, Mary Poppins, War Horse, the new Les Misérables and Matilda The Musical. Internationally, Suzy was also Costume Design Associate for Les Misérables in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Mexico City, The Phantom Of The Opera in Korea and South Africa, Miss Saigon in Manila and Seoul, The Lion King in South Africa, and Billy Elliot the Musical in Korea. MAMMA MIA! is a joyous chance to explore real and fanciful costume designs in a Greek island setting.
Lighting Design
Gavan Swift
Lighting Design
Gavan Swift
Gavan graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1994. He has been in constant demand as a lighting designer for plays, musicals, dance and corporate events. His musical lighting designs include Heathers the Musical, Mack & Mabel, Liza’s Back! (Is Broken), The Mikado, The Pirates Of Penzance, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweet Charity, Fiddler on the Roof, Jolson, Buddy, Oh What A Night, Footloose, Hair, Xanadu and Saturday Night Fever both in Australia and on London’s West End. Gavan was the lighting designer for Moby Dick for the San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, LA Opera and Dallas Opera. He has also designed the lighting for the Production Company’s concert versions of Anything Goes, Sugar (Some Like It Hot), The Music Man, Hair, Mack & Mabel and their inaugural production of Mame. For the State Theatre Company of South Australia he has designed The Ham Funeral, Three Sisters (co-set designer), Entertaining Mr. Sloane, King Lear and Hamlet. For Bell Shakespeare Gavan has designed the lighting for The Winter’s Tale, Pericles and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Gavan has also designed lighting for productions at the Sydney Theatre Company, the Melbourne Theatre Company, The Ensemble Theatre, Australian Theatre for Young People, Marian St, and the Q Theatre. Gavan was the Associate Lighting Designer for the Australian productions of The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Cabaret, The Full Monty, Chicago, High School Musical, A Chorus Line, South Pacific, Wicked and The Lion King, as well as the London production of A Chorus Line and the Mexican production of Wicked.
Sound Design
Michael Waters
Sound Design
Michael Waters
With over 30 years experience in theatre, opera, corporate events, spectaculars and global concert touring, Michael is a multi-award winning sound designer from Sydney. His original sound designs include: Muriel’s Wedding; Mamma Mia! (2018); My Fair Lady; Dream Lover; Singin’ In The Rain; The Rabbits; Fiddler On The Roof; Anything Goes; Priscilla – Queen of the Desert (worldwide); The King And I (Australia and China/Asia); Hot Shoe Shuffle; Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage; An Officer and a Gentleman; Doctor Zhivago (Australia / Korea); Dead Man Walking; Orpheus in The Underworld; Dusty – The Original Pop Diva; ATOMIC – The Musical (Sydney / New York); Grease – The Arena Spectacular; David Campbell’s Wild With Style; and Saturday Night Fever.
As sound designer and mix engineer: Hugh Jackman’s Broadway To Oz; Anthony Warlow with Faith Prince; Placido Domingo; The Boy From Oz (1999 & 2006); The Magic of the Music with Anthony Warlow and Lesley Garrett.
As Australian associate sound designer: Disney’s Aladdin and The Lion King.
Prior to life in darkened theatres Michael toured both bland and exotic parts of the world with artists such as Phil Collins; Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos; Genesis; Pink Floyd; Mick Jagger, and Paul McCartney.
Casting Director
Lynne Ruthven
Casting Director
Lynne Ruthven
Lynne has been working as a Casting Director in Theatre, Film and Television on a great range of national and international productions for about 30 years.
Theatre credits include – Jersey Boys 2018,The Play That Goes Wrong, Fawlty Towers – Live on Stage, Singin’ In The Rain, Hugh Jackman Broadway to OZ, Georgy Girl The Seekers Musical, Matilda The Musical ( Children’s casting), Strictly Ballroom The Musical, King Kong, Rolling Thunder Vietnam, The Addams Family, A Murder Is Announced, The Mousetrap 60th Anniversary Tour, Legally Blonde The Musical, Moonshadow, How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular, Rock Of Ages, Love Never Dies, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot the Musical, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA! (Original and 10th Anniversary Production), Miss Saigon, Spamalot, Dirty Dancing Original Production, The Boy From Oz (Arena Production), The Rocky Horror Show, Woman In Black, Shout!
Film credits include – The Wheel, A Heartbeat Away, Under The Radar, Blurred, Robinson Crusoe, Darkness Falls.
Television credits include – Drop Dead Weird, Dance Academy 1st series, Answered By Fire, Monster House, Roar, Pacific Drive, Blonde, Noah’s Ark.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
PHILIPPA GOWEN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
PHILIPPA GOWEN
Philippa is a graduate of The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and has worked in various management positions on the following productions / companies – Fox Studios Australia, Marian Street Theatre, The Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Oliver! in Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore for International Management Group (IMG), Disney Theatrical Productions The Lion King in Sydney, Melbourne & Shanghai. Since joining Louise Withers & Associates (LWAA) in 2007 productions have included: Billy Elliot The Musical in Australia, 10th Anniversary Australian Tour of MAMMA MIA!, Billy Elliot The Musical in Seoul Korea, The 60th Anniversary Australasian Tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, the Australian Tour of Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced the Australian Tour of the World Premiere Production of Fawlty Towers – Live and the Australasian Tour of Matilda the Musical.
Philippa is currently the General Manager for Louise Withers and Associates and Executive Producer on the new Australian tour of MAMMA MIA!
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
CASS JONES
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
CASS JONES
Cass has a professional theatre career spanning many years. His period in the UK included 7 years at the Royal National Theatre, many West End productions and freelance projects in Russia, Japan, Europe and the USA. In 1994 Cass joined the Sydney office of Cameron Mackintosh and was responsible for the Australian productions of Miss Saigon and Rent in addition to the Australasian, Asian and South African tours of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. The Technical Office was formed by Cass in 1999 to provide Technical Management services to Producers of stage musicals. Cass was responsible for the Australian productions of MAMMA MIA!, We Will Rock You!, Miss Saigon 2008 Tour, Billy Elliot! and Moonshadow. International work has included supervising productions throughout Asia, South Africa and South America, along with the Korean language productions of MAMMA MIA!, Miss Saigon and Billy Elliot! Recent projects undertaken include the Australian production of War Horse, the Australian tours of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced and Dirty Dancing and the Korean production of Ghost The Musical. Cass is proud to be touring Matilda The Musical throughout Australia and New Zealand and is preparing for the new production of MAMMA MIA! late in 2017
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
JACINTA JOHN
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
JACINTA JOHN
Jacinta was the Resident Director on Matilda the Musical (in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland). She was the Assistant Director on the world premiere of Groundhog Day the Musical at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Jacinta directed the musical The Hatpin for the Victorian College of the Arts. She was the Assistant Director on Matilda the Musical (in Sydney and Melbourne), the Resident Director for the Australian touring production of A Murder Is Announced and the Assistant Director on the musical Miracle City.
As an actress, Jacinta’s theatre credits include The Mousetrap, Godzone, Holiday in the Sun, Vicious Streaks, Instant Karma, Skylight, The Dark Room and Pool (no water). For screen she has appeared in Rake, Tough Nuts, McLeod’s Daughters, All Saints, 1MC: Something of Vengeance, and the award-winning feature film Isolate, which she also produced. Her other film producing credits include 1 + 1 = 11 and Under the Bridge. Jacinta trained in acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and she has a BA in Film Studies and Performance Studies from The University of Sydney.
RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER
DANIELLE BILIOS
RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER
DANIELLE BILIOS
Danielle studied at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence graduating with a Diploma in Classical Ballet and continued to grow as a young performer finishing Ed5 International Full Time Performing Arts Course in 2006.
Since beginning her professional career, Danielle has had the chance to work with some of Australia’s finest choreographers including Kelley Abbey, The Squared Division, William Forsythe, Jason Gilkison, Dein Perry, Marko Panzic, Leah Howard and Matt Lee.
Most recently Danielle toured with the Helpmann Award winning Matilda The Musical, originally as Dance Captain for the Australian tour and then as Resident Choreographer for the New Zealand season. Other creative credits include Assistant Choreographer to The Squared Division and also Aleeta Blackburn for So You Think You Can Dance Australia and Assistant Choreographer to Dein Perry for the NRL Centenary Opening
As a performer Danielle’s theatre credits include the Australia tour of Wicked, Handa Opera’s Carmen, Le Grande Cirque, Fame the Musical and The Countdown Spectacular.
Danielle has also worked with many international music artists in televised and live events. Some highlights include Kylie Minogue’s 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix concert and performing with Ricky Martin’s on The Voice and Taylor Swift at the 2012 Aria Awards to name a few. Danielle has been a resident dancer on X Factor Australia and also toured with the X Factor Live Concert in 2013.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
MICHAEL AZZOPARDI
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
MICHAEL AZZOPARDI
Michael is a graduate of the Australian National University School of Music majoring in Jazz piano, and was awarded a scholarship for outstanding achievement. He is also a graduate of Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney.
Michael was most recently the Associate Musical Director and Principal Conductor of Matilda The Musical (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland)
As Musical Director Michael’s credits include Jersey Boys (Adelaide, Melbourne return, Perth), and Avenue Q (Perth, Brisbane).
As Assistant Musical Director Michael’s credits include Matilda The Musical, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, and Avenue Q, as well as Deputy Conductor of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical.
As a keyboardist Michael’s Musical Theatre credits include We Will Rock You (2016 Australian Tour) and Saturday Night Fever the Musical (Australia/Asia/NZ Tour).
Michael also works as a session musician and has performed/recorded as a pianist and keyboardist with many Jazz, Pop and Rock artists including American Jazz legends Bennie Maupin and Bob Mintzer, Joan Rivers, Marcia Hines, Doug Parkinson, Lucky Oceans, Don Burrows and many more. Michael is also a member of the Sydney Jazz Orchestra.
producers
Producer
Michael Coppel
Producer
Michael Coppel
Michael Coppel has been one of the most prominent and active concert promoters in Australia and New Zealand for more than 35 years. Each year his companies have presented several hundred performances throughout both countries, in indoor and outdoor venues, headlining a variety of artists from all genres of contemporary music. Amongst the major concert events presented are Adele Live 2017, U2, P!nk, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Beyonce, RHCP, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Roger Waters. Michael is the Chairman of Live Nation Australasia, the largest Australian concert promoter. He was a Producer of the Australian touring productions of We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon, Spamalot, Waiting for Godot, The Graduate, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced and Fawlty Towers, and of the London West End and New York seasons of Ghost – the Musical and the Broadway season of The Country Girl. Michael was a Producer of the Broadway production of Groundhog Day and is currently a producer on MAMMA MIA! Michael had major involvement in the hugely successful Australian and New Zealand production of Matilda The Musical.
Producer
Louise Withers
Producer
Louise Withers
Prior to 2002, Louise held various Directorships including Koan (Entertainment Advertising and Marketing Agency); the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust (Director of Programming, Sponsorship & Marketing), was the General Manager of Dainty Consolidated Entertainment Theatrical Division and worked festivals and other productions including CATS, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. Since the establishment of Louise Withers & Associates in 2002, Louise has been a Producer/Executive Producer on the Australian productions of MAMMA MIA! (Original Australian Tour), We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon (10th Anniversary Tour), Spamalot, Billy Elliot the Musical, MAMMA MIA! (10th Anniversary Tour), Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced. Seasons for these tours have involved touring in / to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Louise was a co-producer of the World Premiere Tour of Fawlty Towers Live and an Associate Producer of Ghost the Musical in London and New York. She has provided producing/consultancy services including to Billy Elliot The Musical (Korea 2010), Disney’s The Lion King (Singapore), We Will Rock You (Japan) and Ghost the Musical (Korea). Louise was Co-Producer with the Royal Shakespeare Company for the Australasian tour of Matilda The Musical and the International Executive Producer for the first Japanese language production of Billy Elliot the Musical. Currently, in addition to MAMMA MIA!, she is the Executive Producer for the second Korean language production of Billy Elliot and the first non- English language production of Matilda The Musical (Korea). Louise serves on the Executive Council of Live Performance Australia
Producer
Linda Bewick
Producer
Linda Bewick
In a career spanning over 60 years, Linda has acted, directed, designed and produced over 60 shows and written 8 revues. She owned two theatre companies in South Australia and was the Administrator of the New Cottage Theatre. Linda joined Showbiz Bookings in Sydney in 1994 as Corporate Development Manager for the original Australian production of Miss Saigon. Linda became the General Manager of Showbiz developing corporate marketing strategies for The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Crazy for You, Rent and The Boy From Oz.
Since 2002 Linda has been a founding Director of Louise Withers and Associates and Co-Producer of Miss Saigon, MAMMA MIA! 10th Anniversary Tour, The Mousetrap, A Murder is Announced and the current production of MAMMA MIA!. Linda was Associate Producer of Ghost the Musical for the West End and Broadway productions.
Linda would like to thank, Kerryanne Jensen, Kent Lindstrom and the guys at the Adelaide Festival Workshop for the amazing job they do.