NSW TO HOST THE WESTFIELD MATILDAS

Football fans are set to enjoy two major blockbusters with the announcement this week that NSW will host the Westfield Matildas as they take on Chile in Penrith and Newcastle as part of the Seven Consulting International Series in November.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government had secured the two-match series as part of a five-year partnership with Football Federation Australia.

“The Matildas are without doubt one of the most popular and successful Australian sports teams and this is a fantastic opportunity for football fans in Penrith and Newcastle to see them in action on home soil,” Mr Ayres said.

“The matches also offer fans the opportunity to experience everything Penrith and Newcastle have to offer and I encourage visitors to book their tickets in advance, extend their stay and get out and explore the many wonderful venues and attractions.”

Tickets for both matches are available for purchase here.

Image: L-R: Seven Consulting Founder Declan Boylan, FFA CEO David Gallop, Matildas player Chloe Logarzo, Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres, Penrith City Council Mayor John Thain, Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY CAST ANNOUNCED 

Four of the Golden Ticket winners and other cast members have been announced for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will play at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 5 January 2019.

Augustus Gloop, a greedy boy who is the first person to find a Golden Ticket, will be played by Jake Fehily. His mother, Mrs Gloop, will be Octavia Barron Martin. Veruca Salt, a spoilt only child, will be played by Karina Russell and her father Mr Salt by Stephen Anderson.

Jayme-Lee Hanekom will play the third person to find a Golden Ticket, Violet Beauregard, who takes pride in her gum-chewing abilities, with Madison McKoy as Mr Beauregard. Harrison Riley will play Mike Teavee, the fourth Golden Ticket winner who is obsessed with TV, with Jayde Westaby as his mother Mrs Teavee.

The Australian premiere has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, with more than 76,000 overnight visitors anticipated to travel to Sydney to see the production, generating an estimated $37 million in visitor spend.

To purchase tickets, go to https://charliethemusical.com.au/

Image credit: Brian Geach

BEST AND BRIGHTEST CONCEPTS INVITED FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2019

Vivid Sydney is now inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from individuals and organisations across the global creative community to participate in the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas in 2019.

Following the success of this year’s festival, EOIs have opened for Vivid Sydney 2019 across the pillars of Vivid Light and Vivid Music, with Vivid Ideas set to open soon.

The Festival is a grand platform for out-of-the-box thinkers, artists, musicians, creative professionals, educators and businesses to showcase their talents to local and international audiences.

Whether you’re an industry innovator, aspiring creator or have a unique concept to share, this is a chance to be part of Australia’s largest event. If you have what it takes to shape, market and present an installation, gig or event with interesting and innovative content, Vivid Sydney wants to hear from you.

To register your EOI, visit https://www.vividsydney.com/eoi2019 and login or sign-up to access the Vivid Light, Music or Ideas EOI toolkits and application forms.

GRIDIRON TOUCHES DOWN IN WOLLONGONG

All the adrenaline and spectacle of American Gridiron is coming to Wollongong, with the seaside city to host the 2019 IFAF Men’s World Championships.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres today joined Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward and Gridiron Australia to announce the International Federation of American Football will stage its World Championship at WIN Stadium.

“This is a massive coup for NSW, with an IFAF event held on Australian soil for the first time,” Mr Ayres said.

“Wollongong will be the epicentre of gridiron for ten days next year. You might be a seasoned fan or just a curious sports lover but I encourage everyone to check out this incredible game.

“This event will not only provide a significant boost for the visitor economy but promote our state on the world stage. The success of home-grown players such as Jordan Stalker, who hails from Wollongong and played on the World Team at the 2012 IFAF International Bowl, demonstrates that the Aussies are a force to be reckoned with.”

Tickets will be on pre-sale on 1 February 2019 through Ticketmaster.

JERSEY BOYS NOW PLAYING IN SYDNEY

Broadway sensation Jersey Boys has burst on to Sydney’s Capital Theatre stage, delighting a packed house at the official opening last night.

The show’s combination of dynamic cast and enthralling story ensures it's one of the hottest tickets in musical theatre.  

Jersey Boys tells the story of the rise to stardom of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, one of the most successful bands in pop music history.

Producer Rodney Rigby said, "Jersey Boys strikes a chord with Australians, not only because of the great music but the mate-ship between these four men and resilience that it depicts. Our audiences respond to the story of four young men trying to break out of the world they're born into. Many people relate to the struggle and fighting spirit needed to forge a better life than their parents."

The return season of Jersey Boys has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Click here to buy tickets.

DESTINATION NSW
PARTNERS WITH STARSTRUCK

The original Australian film Starstruck will be turned into a full-fledged musical thanks to a partnership between industry heavyweights, aspiring theatre talents and the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

RGM Productions, spearheaded by Australian producer Garry McQuinn and his partner Rina Gill, will join forces with the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Destination NSW to bring director Gillian Armstrong’s iconic 1982 comedy drama to vibrant life on stage.

Garry McQuinn said, “Starstruck is an Australian fairy tale, a wonderfully naive film with a ‘dare to dream’ message. It’s a neglected classic; people forget how original and influential the film was. Jackie Mullen strutting across the Sydney Opera House’s stage with her punk hair in her neon-lit tutu, tiara and gloves, anticipated Madonna’s Like A Virgin by two years.”

Find out more here. 

Image: L-R: Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Destination NSW; Garry McQuinn, Managing Director, RGM Productions; David Elfick, Palm Beach Pictures; Gillian Armstrong, Director, Starstruck;  Kate Cherry, Director/CEO, NIDA.