Author Archives: Rhys

Cast Announcement – BARNUM

After a huge few days of auditions, we're thrilled to announce the cast of BARNUM. We are very excited to soon start working with these fabulous people. Thanks to everyone who took the time to audition - it was a very competitive process and we're sorry we couldn't include all of you.

If you would like to be involved in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via  with your interest and skills (if applicable). We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

To be the first to be notified when early bird tickets go on sale, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the site.

Principals

Barnum - Greg Sollis

Charity – Julia Walker

Jenny Lind – Demi Smith

Ringmaster – Jano Simko

Bailey – Paul Sweeney

Tom Thumb – Mark Zatschler

Joyce Heth – Meaghan Stewart

Ensemble & Supporting Roles

Sarah Bevan
Kara Blackburn
Rachael Blemings
Elizabeth Caddy
Bec Gillett
Siân Jackson
Brittany Lewis
Stephanie McConnell
Silvana Moro
Emily O'Brien
Emily Pogson
Madelyn White
Charlotte Whiter
Melissa Wong

Cameron Allen
Adam Best
Elliot Cleaves
Isaac Gordon
Jason Mackenzie
Benjamin Martin
Andrew Rayner
Alexander Smith

2018 AGM

For Philo Members: our Annual General Meeting this year will be held on Monday 30th April 2018, 7.30 pm, at 18 Collie St, Fyshwick. Please arrive a bit beforehand so that we can start the meeting on time.

Being involved in theatre isn’t all glamour, glitzy opening nights and champagne! There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it’s worth knowing about these things – how we performed during the previous year, what money went where, what worked for us and what didn’t, who does what, and our future plans. There is also the opportunity to have your opinion heard and even the chance to join the committee to help make decisions about the future direction of the Society, PLUS you get wine and nibbles afterwards.

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM
  2. Receive committee reports and the statement of accounts covering activities in the last financial year
  3. Elect a new committee
  4. Receive nominations for life members

Please note:

  • Only current financial members can vote at the AGM. If you are receiving this, you are currently a financial member. We have separately emailed those whose membership will expire before the AGM.
  • If you would to review a copy of the reports and accounts ahead of the meeting, please request this by emailing the secretary via . These will be available a week prior to the meeting.
  • If you have any business to raise at the AGM (not requiring a special resolution), please email the secretary one week prior to the meeting.
  • Nominations for committee and proxy nominations must be submitted to the secretary one week prior to the meeting. The form is available to download here.

Cast Announcement – Jesus Christ Superstar

After a huge weekend of auditions, we're thrilled to announce the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. We are very excited to soon start working with these fabulous people. Thanks to everyone who took the time to audition - it was a very competitive process and we're sorry we couldn't include all of you.

If you would like to be involved in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via  with your interest and skills (if applicable). We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

To be the first to be notified when early bird tickets go on sale, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the site.

Principals

Jesus - Grant Pegg

Judas – Will Huang

Mary – Charlotte Gearside

Herod – Paul Sweeney

Pilate – Ian Croker

Caiaphas – Gerard Fitzsimmons

Annas – Tim Maher

Priest - Rodwell Faulkner

Priest – Robbie Matthews

Priest – Mick Andrews

Peter – Patrick Galen Mules

Simon – Andrew McMillan

Ensemble & Supporting Roles

Apostles/Male Ensemble

Conor Beaumont
Lachlan Court
Alexander Gorring – Understudy Jesus
Rhys Madigan
Garrett Kelly
Kristopher Patston-Gill
Jack Potter
Michael Row
Jason Sarossy

Soul Sister/Ensemble
Tegan Braithwaite – Understudy Mary
Annabel Foulds
Ali Rosenfeld
Demi Smith

Female Ensemble
Hannah Belnick
Sarah Bevan
Heather Bull
Claire Graham
Jess Manclark
Anne McLeod
Alyce King
Karyn Tisdell
Sarah-Marie Tulley
Maddy White

Jesus Christ Superstar

We're excited to announce that our March 2018 production will be JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

The creative team are:

Director: Jim McMullen
Music Director: Casey White
Assistant MD: Caleb Cambell
Choreographers: Courtney Whitcombe and Charlie Gearside

Click here for audition details.

Cast Announcement – Strictly Ballroom The Musical

After a huge weekend of auditions, we're thrilled to announce the cast of STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL. We are very excited to soon start working with these fabulous people. Big thanks to everyone who took the time to audition - we're sorry we couldn't include all of you.

If you would like to be involved in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via  with your interest and skills (if applicable). We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

To be the first to be notified when tickets go on sale, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the site.

Principals

Scott Hastings: Joel Hutchings

Fran: Ylaria Rogers

Shirley Hastings: Tracy Noble

Doug Hastings: Ian Croker

Rico: Tomás Dietz

Abuela (Ya Ya): Kirrily Cornwell

Barry Fife: Pat Gallagher

JJ Silver: Berin Denham

Les Kendle: Paul Sweeney

Tina Sparkle: Emma Nichols

Ken Railings: Peter Karmel

Wayne Burns: Liam Downing

Liz Holt: Courtney Whitcombe

Vanessa Cronin: Charlotte Gearside

Luke: Callum Doherty, Jake Keen

Kylie: Katy Larkin, Isabella Fraser

Ensemble & Supporting Roles

Madeleine Betts
Mikayla Brady
Tegan Braithwaite
Laura Evans
Amelia Green
Chelsea Heaney
Karina Hudson
Ingrid Jansen-Moltmann
Breanna Macey
Samantha Marceddo
Zara McCann
Jadziah Oakes
Angela Sullivan
Zoe Swan
Sarah Tulley
Maddy White

Mackinley Brown
Tony Falla
Patrick Galen-Mules
Zach Johnson
Andrew MacMillan (Clarry)
Garrett Kelly
Kristofer Patston-Gill
David Santolin
Alex Thorpe
Hugo Walker
Jake Willis

Strictly Ballroom

THE STORY THAT INSPIRED THE WORLD TO DANCE...

We're excited to announce our October 2017 production will be Baz Luhrmann's STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL!

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann created as a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in Sydney back in 1984.

FEATURING SONGS FROM THE 1992 HIT FILM including "Love is in the Air", "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" and "Time After Time", as well as new songs from internationally acclaimed artists and composers such as Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect.

 

 

 

The ARTISTIC TEAM for this Canberra premiere production are:

Director: Chris Baldock

Originally from New Zealand and based in Melbourne for nearly 25 years, Chris arrived in Canberra earlier this year and is currently directing A View From The Bridge for Canberra Repertory. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Mockingbird Theatre and a director of over sixty productions in Australia and in NZ. He directed the acclaimed production of The Laramie Project at Chapel off Chapel, which won the Victorian Green Room Award for Best Independent Production, Melbourne theatre’s highest honour.

Chris received critical praise for his productions of the Victorian tour of Black Diva Power: Nina Simone & Billy Holiday starring Ruth Rogers-Wright, Love! Valour! Compassion! for the Midsumma Festival, The Dining Room at the Victorian Artists Society, Burning for Mad As Us and starring two-time Logie winner Libby Tanner, the Australian premiere of Shining City for Hoy Polloy and Foreign Bodies for Sly Rat. Other acclaimed and award-winning productions include The Grapes of Wrath, Cloudstreet, One Man Two Guvnors, Twelve Angry Men, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Nance (Australian premiere), 33 Variations (Australian premiere), Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Three Days of Rain, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Master Class, Amadeus, Blood Brothers, Of Mice and Men, Shirley Valentine and Under Milk Wood.

He has also directed many musicals and concerts including Chicago, the NZ revival of Hair, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Mame and the hugely successful Melbourne premiere of A Slice Of Saturday Night.

Choreographer: Emma Nikolic

Emma has been dancing for more than 30 years. When she was convinced to try musical theatre more than 15 years ago, she was instantly hooked and has gone on to perform in and choreograph a variety of shows, and even turned her hand to directing Supa's Eurobeat - Almost Eurovision. Emma recently choreographed Philo's critically acclaimed production of Anything Goes, and danced in Philo's productions of Rock of Ages and Cabaret.

Music Director: Rhys Madigan

Since moving to Canberra from Adelaide six year ago, Rhys has played a part in various Canberra music theatre productions, as a cast member, repetiteur, and music director. Rhys has music directed Philo's productions of Pirates of Penzance and Cabaret, and Phoenix Players’ production of Next to Normal. Outside of theatre, Rhys works as a technology consultant with Accenture, and enjoys tennis, running, and paddleboarding.

AUDITIONS will be held on the weekend of May 20-21. More details and booking form available here.

2017 AGM

For Philo Members: our Annual General Meeting this year will be held on Monday 8th May 2017, 7.30 pm, at 18 Collie St, Fyshwick. Please arrive a bit beforehand so that we can start the meeting on time.

Being involved in theatre isn’t all glamour, glitzy opening nights and champagne! There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it’s worth knowing about these things – how we performed during the previous year, what money went where, what worked for us and what didn’t, who does what, and our future plans. There is also the opportunity to have your opinion heard and even the chance to join the committee to help make decisions about the future direction of the Society, PLUS you get wine and nibbles afterwards.

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM
  2. Receive committee reports and the statement of accounts covering activities in the last financial year
  3. Elect a new committee
  4. Receive nominations for life members

Please note:

  • Only current financial members can vote at the AGM. If you are receiving this, you are currently a financial member. We have separately emailed those whose membership will expire before the AGM.
  • If you would to review a copy of the reports and accounts ahead of the meeting, please request this by emailing the secretary via . These will be available a week prior to the meeting.
  • If you have any business to raise at the AGM (not requiring a special resolution), please email the secretary one week prior to the meeting.
  • Nominations for committee and proxy nominations must be submitted to the secretary one week prior to the meeting. The form is available to download here.

Eating @ Erindale (2017)

There's a large range of restaurants at Erindale, all within 5 minutes walk of the theatre. Make a booking with friends, relax and catch up before the show.

We've compiled this list (updated March 2017) based on our own previous experiences, web reviews, and a visual reconnaissance, as not all websites are up-to-date. If you have any good experiences or recommendations, please leave a comment below.

We recommend booking in advance. If you have elected to pick up your tickets from the Box Office, please leave enough time to do this before the show starts (at 2 pm or 8 pm prompt). The Box Office is open an hour before the show.

La Piazza
3/33 Gartside Street, Wanniassa
Website | Facebook | (02) 6296 2995

Turkish Grill
9a/20 Gartside Street, Wanniassa
Website | Facebook | (02) 6231 9766

Kutas @ Erindale Vikings Club
Unit 6/38 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Website | (02) 6231 1033

The Schnitzel Haus (New)
5/33 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Website | Facebook | (02) 6231 9999

Soulfood Kitchen Restaurant
8/38 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Website | (02) 6231 2568

China Tea House
2 Ricardo St, Wanniassa
(02) 6296 1259

Oriental Terrace Restaurant
28 Denigan St, Wanniassa
(02) 6296 1288

Thai Basil Restaurant
1b/38-70 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Menu | (02) 6231 2365

Thai Amarin Erindale Restaurant
1b/38-70 Gartside St, Wanniassa
(02) 6231 9566

Shanghai Dumpling King (New)
33 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Menu | (02) 6231 2365

Erindale Vietnamese Restaurant
Unit 6/38 Gartside St, Wanniassa
(02) 6231 1033

Punjabi Hut
3B/38 Gartside St, Wanniassa
Website | (02) 6296 1088

Barbecue Nation Indian Grill
Shop 4, 33 Erindale Centre, Gartside St, Wanniassa
Website | (02) 6296 6608

Rockin' Ribs
Shop 8, 38 Gartside St, Wanniassa, ACT
Zomato | (02) 6156 1395

Mr Asian Chef
1/33 Gartside Street, Wanniassa
Facebook

Cast of CHICAGO 2017

We are very excited to soon start working with this fabulous cast. A big thanks to everyone who took the time to audition. To those who missed out: we're so sorry we couldn't include you.

If you would like to be involved in CHICAGO in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via . We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

Principals

Velma Kelly: Kelly RobertsCHICAGO-v2

Roxie Hart: Vanessa de Jager

Billy Flynn: Will Huang

Matron "Mama" Morton: Shell Tully

Amos Hart: Jonathan Rush

Mary Sunshine: Ben Wilson

Murderesses

Mona: Amelia Juniper-Grey

Annie: Emma Nichols

June: Michelle Norris

Hunyak: Brittney Gould

Liz: Courtney Whitcombe

Ensemble & Supporting Roles

Rachel Burrage

Erin Davis

Charlotte Gearside

Tessa Grimmond

Samantha Marceddo

Breanna Macey

Jennifer McRae

Georgia O’Neill

Colette Neumann

Emma Roberts

Ali Rosenfeld

Demi Smith

Jess Waterhouse

Nina Wood

Andrew Barrow

Patrick Galen-Mules

Greg Hood - Emcee

Pierce Jackson

Liam Jones - Sergeant Fogarty

Andrew McMillan - Fred Casely

Rhys Madigan

Peter Karmel

George Pulley

Vivek Sharma

Greg Sollis

Alexander Thorpe

Jake Willis

Production Team

Director: Jim McMullen

Music Director: Chris Ronan

Choreographers: Emily Appleton and Hannah Carey

Production Manager: Jill McMullen

 

Chicago 2017

We're excited to announce that our first production for 2017 will be Chicago. The fabulous creative team are:
Director: Jim McMullen
Music Director: Chris Ronan
Choreographers: Emily Appleton and Hannah Carey

Tickets are now on sale.