Provided the stars align and we are out of lockdown by then, February 2022 will mark the Australian premiere of Head Over Heels taking place. Presented by BB-Arts and Two Doors Productions together with Hayes Theatre Co, this is a new musical comedy set to the music of 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s.
Today, the producers unveiled whom will be portraying which characters during the Sydney season.
Playing Basilius and Gynecia, the King and Queen of Arcadia, are Aaron Tsindos (Merrily We Roll Along, Muriel’s Wedding) and Lena Cruz (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Playing Beatie Bow), while their daughters Pamela and Philoclea will be played by Laura Bunting (Gypsy, Rent) and Jenni Little (School of Rock, High Fidelity). Mopsa, the royal handmaiden of Princess Pamela, will be Lauren Cheok (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), while her father Dametas, Basilius’ royal viceroy, is Evan Lever (Anything Goes, Merrily We Roll Along). Doron Chester (Aladdin, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) will play the role of the poor shepherd Musidorus, and Daniel Gabriel (The Moth Effect, Two Weeks with the Queen) features as Pythio, the mystical Oracle of Delphi. The ensemble is comprised of Andy Seymour, William Tukia-Edwards and Maddi Xeureb.
So what sort of narrative will be aiming to enticing theatre fans to go-go and see the show? 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 couple of 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. Through a plot described as offering “usurped kingship, unlikely lovers, and gender-fluid disguises”, Head Over Heels sets out to preach unconditional love and acceptance of yourself and everyone you know, no matter their gender or sexual identity. This is all on-top of a rock soundtrack featuring hits including We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth.
If this is of interest to you, the Sydney Australian Premiere Season of Head Over Heels will be taking place at Hayes Theatre Co from 18 February 2022 until 19 March 2022. Adult pricing begins at $75.00 while concession and groups (8+ people) pricing will be available from $65.00.
