Hayes Theatre Co has announced its first-ever Festival of New Work, set to run from 18th to 29th September 2024. Over the course of two weeks, the festival will feature 20 events, including showcases, concert presentations of new works, masterclasses, panel discussions with industry professionals, and free industry social events. This new initiative aims to nurture and celebrate emerging musical theatre talent in Australia, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the scenes.
The festival will provide a platform for artists and audiences to connect and be inspired, promising a unique experience for anyone passionate about musical theatre. Furthermore, there is aspirations for this to enable more audiences to see some impressive local works. Richard Carroll, Co-Artistic Director of Hayes Theatre Co, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival for this reason, sharing:
The Festival of New Work is a true passion project for Vicky and me. Hayes puts so much time, effort, and funding into developing new music theatre shows, and we want to give audiences more opportunities to experience and enjoy a whole range of work by brilliant Australian artists.
Victoria Falconer, Co-Artistic Director, added:
This is a chance for our audiences to get in on the ground level and witness the creative process around our fabulous shows in action. 20 events across two weeks – it’s thrilling to launch a festival of this scale and ambition! Not only will we continue our year-round mission to showcase and nurture the next big thing in music theatre and cabaret, but these two weeks will also provide space for our creatives, peers and wider industry to connect and celebrate the work we do.
The Festival of New Work will feature a range of events designed to showcase new talent and fresh works. Key events include:
New Work Showcase
Taking place on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 26th September at 7:30 pm, these events will highlight works in development from some of the most exciting talents in Australian music theatre and cabaret. Creatives will present 15-20 minutes from their current projects, offering audiences a preview of what’s to come.
The Blank Page with Eddie Perfect
On Tuesday 24th September at 7:30 pm, Tony-nominee Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice) will be joined by Carmel Dean (Well Behaved Women) and Yve Blake (Fangirls) for a session exploring the art of writing songs for the stage. Through case studies and live performances, this event promises to offer valuable insights for songwriters and theatre enthusiasts.
Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical – Concert Presentation
Scheduled for Friday 20th September at 7:30 pm, this concert presentation of Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical will offer an unstaged, script-in-hand performance of Steven Kramer’s new work, directed by Sheridan Harbridge. This event will provide an early look at the musical, which blends absurdist comedy and electro-swing music to tell the story of one of Australia’s most beloved icons.
Yve Blake Masterclasses
Yve Blake, known for her success with Fangirls in London, will conduct two masterclasses on Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th September at 10:00 am. These sessions are designed to support both novice and experienced writers in developing their musical theatre writing skills.
The 2-Day Musical Challenge
On Sunday 29th September at 6:00 pm, writers, composers, directors, and actors will collaborate to create, rehearse, and perform a short original musical in just 36 hours. This event promises to be an exhilarating display of creativity and teamwork.
Additionally, there will be a range of other events, including concert presentations, in-conversation panels, masterclasses, industry social events and more.
Those interested in attending or learning more about the line-up of events should head to the Hayes Theatre Co website for more information and bookings, with bulk-booking “passports” offering a discount.
