In 2019, BB-Arts and Two Doors Productions joined together with Hayes Theatre Co to host the Australian premiere season of musical American Psycho. Now in 2021, the trio are uniting once more to hold another season – this time the Australian premiere of Broadway musical Head Over Heels. To be run for a limited time at Hayes Theatre Co from 6 August 2021, musical theatre fans will be able to experience this new comedy production from the visionaries behind Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q, Next To Normal and Spring Awakening.
Head Over Heels, as its title may imply to fans of music from the 1980s, features the music of all-female rock band The Go-Go’s, and will feature songs including We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth. But this is not set to be a Jersey Boys or Beautiful where we dive into the history of the artists, instead providing a musical take on the 16th Century Work of Philip Sidney – The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia.
In a brazen (yet completely on-brand) attempt to flout the dire warnings of the Oracle, King Basilius of Arcadia sets off on a journey of evasion and avoidance with his entire family in tow. The next few raucous and ruff-filled hours see all that is familiar to this royal clan tipped on its crown as they are flung, loins first, into a new age of inclusion and transformation.
The Australian season will be directed by Ellen Simpson (Muriel’s Wedding, Little Shop of Horrors), with choreography by Cameron Mitchell (Catch Me If You Can), musical direction by Zara Stanton (HMS Pinafore) and designs by Isabel Hudson (American Psycho). The cast has yet to be announced.
Before I began reading the piece, I stumbled on an interview with a handful of the Broadway cast. I’ve not seen an interview where the cast were so effervescent in their joy and love for their show. They were so assured in its message of inclusion, and the importance with which they spoke about how the show called for diversity and broad representation was galvanizing and inspiring. It had my heart already.
Without it sounding like a variety extravaganza, I really expect HEAD OVER HEELS to have something for everyone. If it’s punny you’re after – welcome. Are you a Scream Queen and only looking for sky-rocketing belters and soaring rock melodies? Please, do come in. You’re a Trad Fad? Don’t be coy… there are nods, nudges and hat tips to every classic that ever curtseyed. Having been involved with several wonderful projects with Hayes Theatre Co already as choreographer and movement director, I am very excited and full of anticipation for my upcoming role as director of Head Over Heels. I’m looking forward to injecting a large, ruff-wrapped dose of joy into Sydney theatre.
Ellen Simpson – Director
More information and bookings on this season of Head Over Heels can be found on the Hayes Theatre Co website. There is no word on whether they will tour this season to other Australian states.
