MAMMA MIA! THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2017-2018
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MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
MAMMA MIA!
THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL
AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2017-2018
The global musical phenomenon, MAMMA MIA!, will commence its new national tour at the Canberra Theatre
Centre on November 24th 2017 followed by a season from December 26th 2017 QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in
Brisbane.
The tour will continue onto Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from February 11th 2018, Crown Theatre Perth from
May 15th 2018, Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from July 10th 2018 and the Festival Theatre at Adelaide
Festival Centre from October 9th 2018.
This exciting new production of MAMMA MIA! is produced in Australia by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers &
Linda Bewick.
“MAMMA MIA! is exactly what we all need - an uplifting, fun-filled, heartfelt night at the theatre which puts a
smile on your face and a spring in your step. The timeless tracks of ABBA never fail to bring joy to audiences
across the world and we are delighted to be producing MAMMA MIA! once again across Australia. We are also
thrilled with the incredibly talented creative team and cast we have assembled to bring this story and these
songs to life on stage night after night.” Withers says.
Starring in this brand new Australian production as mother-of-the-bride Donna Sheridan is Natalie O’Donnell.
Natalie began her acting career in 1998 with her professional debut in the Australian production of Les
Misérables. Since then she has sustained a remarkable career in theatre, television and film across the world.
She has starred in many musicals including most recently in Australia in Jerry’s Girls, Songs for a New World
and Next to Normal. Most poignantly Natalie starred in the original Australian production of MAMMA MIA! as
Sophie in 2001. It will be very special to see her come full circle now leading this new production in the role of
Donna.
In the role of Donna’s daughter and bride-to-be Sophie, is emerging young Australian actor Sarah Morrison.
Sarah has just completed a sell-out national tour in the Australian musical Ladies in Black starring in the lead
role of Lisa. This was Sarah’s breakthrough role gaining critical acclaim and adoration by audiences alike
proving her star is certainly on the rise. Sarah began her career as a member of the Children’s Chorus with
Opera Queensland before graduating from Ballarat Arts Academy.
Starring as Donna’s vivacious and loyal friend Rosie is Alicia Gardiner who has extensive career highlights in
theatre, television and film and is best known to Australian audiences for her role as nurse Kim Akerholt in the
award-winning series Offspring. In another nostalgic twist, Alicia also played alongside Natalie O’Donnell in the
original Australian season of MAMMA MIA!
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388
MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
Jayde Westaby joins the Dynamo trio in the role of much-married friend Tanya. Jayde, originally from the UK,
has enjoyed a career on London’s West End appearing in The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, Sweet Charity,
Jersey Boys and Grease amongst others. Most recently in Australia she was part of the world premiere season
of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical.
Award winning actor Ian Stenlake stars as Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s unsuspecting fathers. Ian has
sustained an extensive television career over the years, including starring roles in the Nine Network’s Sea Patrol
for 5 seasons as Lieutenant Commander Mike Flynn, furthermore in Stingers, Murder Call and Dance Academy.
He has also continued a vast theatre career appearing in shows such as Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma
and most recently Around the World in 80 Days.
Stage and screen actor Phillip Lowe plays Harry Bright another man from Donna’s past who could be Sophie’s
father. Phillip has appeared in many theatre productions including Crazy for You, Cabaret, Mary Poppins, High
Society and recently starred in Georgy Girl - The Seekers Musical portraying Seeker Keith Potger.
Josef Ber, acclaimed theatre and screen actor plays Bill Austin the third potential father in the light-hearted
story. Josef has appeared in many and varied theatre, television and film productions including Ned, Rush and
Redfern Now.
Sophie’s adoring fiancé Sky is played by Stephen Mahy who’s career spans roles in musical theatre
productions such as Miss Saigon, Jersey Boys, Grease, and the most recent Australian production of The Rocky
Horror Show playing Brad.
In addition, Monique Sallé plays the role of Ali, Jessica Di Costa as Lisa, Sam Hooper as Pepper and Alex
Gibson-Giorgio plays Eddie alongside an incredible supporting cast Stephen Anderson, Jadie Bastow, Dion
Bilios, Du Toit Bredenkamp, Annie Chiswell, Matt Edwards, Josh Gates, Catty Hamilton, Matthew
Hamilton, Emma Hawthorne, Zoe Komazec, Sarah Kate Landy, Courtney Monsma, Clay Roberts, Leigh
Sleightholme, Thalia Smith, Lisa Sontag and Zachary Webster.
Set on a Greek island paradise and inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer
Catherine Johnson’s heart-warming tale centres around a young bride-to-be. On the eve of her wedding, a
daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island
they last visited 20 years ago.
Over 60 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the story and the music that makes MAMMA
MIA! the ultimate feel-good musical. And now, in what will be a stunning new production, we want you to come
join the party of a lifetime. A celebration of love, laughter and friendship, MAMMA MIA! is a fabulous night out
for audiences of all ages.
The Australian production will be Directed by Helpmann Award winner Gary Young, with the creative team also
including Choreographer Tom Hodgson, Musical Supervisor Stephen Amos, Set Design by Linda Bewick,
Costume Design by Suzy Strout and Lighting Design by Gavan Swift and Sound design by Michael Waters.
A beautiful bride, a proud mother and three possible fathers. It's a trip down the aisle you'll remember forever!
MAMMA MIA! - GLOBAL ACCOLADES
‘A SENSATION! Just sit back and let the joy sweep over you.’
NEW YORK POST
‘THIS HIGH-ENERGY MUSICAL BRINGS HAPPINESS WHEREVER IT GOES!’
TIME MAGAZINE
‘What makes MAMMA MIA! work is the ingenuity with which the songs leap from the story – they come like
brilliant bolts out of the blue and the audience roars its approval.’
THE AUSTRALIAN
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
MAMMA MIA! NATIONAL TOUR DATES
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
www.mammamiathemusical.com.au
CANBERRA
Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
From November 24th 2017
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
BRISBANE
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
From December 26th 2017
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
SYDNEY
Capitol Theatre
From February 11th 2018
TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 27TH JULY
PERTH
Crown Theatre
From May 15th 2018
WAITLIST NOW
MELBOURNE
Princess Theatre
From July 10th 2018
WAITLIST NOW
ADELAIDE
Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
From October 9th 2018
WAITLIST NOW
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
CAST
DONNA SHERIDAN – NATALIE O’DONNELL
WAAPA alumni, Natalie O’Donnell 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 throughout her
career. Some of her highlights include Songs For a New World (‘Co-Lead’) Blue Saint Productions; Next to
Normal (‘Diana’) Hayes Theatre/Doorstep Arts; Murderous Instincts (‘Lauren’) Savoy Theatre, West End; The
Sunshine Club (‘Rose’) Sydney Theatre Co; Les Miserables Cameron Mackintosh; The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee (‘Olive’) Melbourne Theatre Co, for which she was nominated ‘Best Female Artist in a
Featured Role in Musical Theatre’ at the 2006 Green Room Awards; Jerry’s Girls (Co-Lead, as Herself) and Crazy
For You (‘Polly’) for The Production Company.
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.
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.
Alicia’s 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’. She featured in the web series Four Quarters, and has been
involved in many children’s TV series including Fergus McPhail, Noah & Saskia, and Short Cuts. Her feature film
credits include Downriver.
Most recently Alicia can be seen in the miniseries Wolf Creek, based on the popular movie franchise, and one of
the first Australian drama series to be made for streaming service Stan, and will soon appear in Offspring’s latest
season to air later in 2017.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
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 Dream Lover, 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 career on stage and screen for the last 25 years. He
studied music from an early age and at 19 accepted a place to study musical theatre at the Western Australian
Academy of Performing Arts.
In 1996 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 the Australian tour of Showboat.
In 2000, Phillip joined Sydney Theatre Company to play ‘Peter Walsh’ in Wesley Enoch’s The Sunshine Club then
returned to commercial theatre to play thirteen roles in the hit production of The Producers. Phillip then
represented Sweden and the UK in the Eurovision spoof Eurobeat and joined the Australian tour of Dusty before
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 to play ‘Mr Northbrook’ but his greatest
career move was in 2013 when he joined the Australian premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and met his wife
Zoe. Phillip then toured with Legends before appearing in several independent productions:- Sondheim on
Sondheim, Beyond Desire, Blood Brother’ 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 guest 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.
Phillip is a proud member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
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 Boys and most recently Down Under.
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.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
CREATIVE TEAM
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. Gary won the Aussie Theatre
Award for Best Direction of a Musical.
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, and A Little Night Music. For The
Production Company he has directed Singing In The Rain, Carousel, Funny Girl, Call Me Madam, Mame and The
Boyfriend. This year he will direct Hello Dolly starring Marina Prior.
He was Associate Director for Miss Saigon and Les Misérables 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
Tom has had an extensive international performance career with companies including: DV8 Physical Theatre,
Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Lucerne Ballet, Conny Janssen Danst, Dansity Amsterdam, State Ballet Braunschweig,
Kiel Ballet, Force Majeure, Sue Healey Company.
Creative credits include: Matilda The Musical – Australian Associate Choreographer (RSC/LWAA); Billy Elliot The
Musical - Associate Choreographer Japan, Korea, Broadway; Billy Elliot The Musical - Resident Choreographer
Australia (Working Title/LWAA); Once - Resident Movement Director (MTC/GFO); Low Level Panic –
Choreographer (The Old Fitz); Skin Tight (fortyfivedownstairs); Far Away – Choreographer (fortyfivedownstairs);
42nd Street, Sweet Charity, When Midnight Strikes – Choreographer (Arts Academy, Federation University
Australia); 1st Prize - International Competition for Choreographers (Hanover, Germany).
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR - STEPHEN AMOS
Stephen graduated from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Piano and
Composition.
He worked as a repetiteur on The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and
Sondheim’s Follies. 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, Les Misérables, 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 Georgy
Girl - The Seekers Musical. He won the 2016 Helpmann Award for his work on Matilda The Musical and in 2017
will be Musical Supervisor for Billy Elliot the Musical in Japan and the new Australian production of MAMMA MIA!
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
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 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. 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
In a production career spanning 35 years, Suzy Strout has been 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 has
also been 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. Suzy designed costumes for dance & stage productions in Adelaide,
and the successful 60th Anniversary production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Agatha Christie’s A
Murder Is Announced. MAMMA MIA! is a joyous chance to play with real and fanciful designs in a Greek island
setting.
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
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: 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; Saturday Night Fever, and the upcoming Mamma Mia! and
Muriel’s Wedding.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388MAMMA MIA! AUSTRALIAN TOUR MEDIA KIT JULY 2017
As sound designer and mix engineer: Hugh Jackman’s Broadway To Oz; Anthony Warlow with Faith Prince;
Placido Domingo; The Boy From Oz (2015 with Hugh Jackman, and in 1999 with Todd McKenney); The Magic of
the Music with Anthony Warlow and Lesley Garrett.
As 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.
PRODUCERS
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 is currently a Producer of the
Broadway production Groundhog Day as well as of MAMMA MIA!, and has had a major involvement in the hugely
successful Australian and New Zealand production of Matilda The Musical.
LOUISE WITHERS
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, Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced and was a co-producer of the World Premiere Tour of
Fawlty Towers Live. Seasons for these tours have involved touring in/to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong
Kong and Japan. She was also an Associate Producer of Ghost the Musical in London and New York, Louise has
provided producing/consultancy services including to Billy Elliot The Musical (Korea), Disney’s The Lion King
(Singapore), We Will Rock You (Japan) and Ghost the Musical (Korea). 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. Currently, in addition to MAMMA MIA!, Louise is the Australian
Producer of the current Australasian tour of Matilda The Musical and the International Executive Producer for the
first Japanese language production of Billy Elliot the Musical and the second Korean language production of Billy
both in 2017. Louise serves on the Executive Council of Live Performance Australia.
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 UK and USA productions.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - LUCKY STAR MEDIA Vicky Iliopoulos – vicky@luckystarmedia.com.au +61 410 551 388You can also read
