Featuring two extraordinary roles for outstanding musical theatre actresses, SIDE SHOW made history when its original Broadway stars Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner were jointly nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Coming soon, one of our fabulous Sydney favourites the intimate Hayes Theatre Co. will present SIDE SHOW in its Australian premiere for a strictly limited four week season from September 23rd.
With music from the composer of Dreamgirls, SIDE SHOW is based on the remarkable story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their transition from ‘circus freaks’ to megastars.
In real life, the spectacularly talented and charming Daisy and Violet rose to fame from the grim world of the circus freak show and an abusive upbringing, becoming the highest-paid stars of vaudeville in the 1930s. They went on to appear in the controversial 1932 film Freaks that was banned for 30 years. The film has since become a cult classic being referenced many times in contemporary pop culture, including on South Park, The Wolf of Wall Street, Orange is the New Black and most recently in American Horror Story: Freak Show.
Playing the coveted roles of Daisy and Violet Hilton for One Eye Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co. are Laura Bunting (Elphaba in Wicked, Maureen in Rent) and Helpmann Award winner Kerrie Anne Greenland (Éponine in Les Misérables).
“Kerrie and Laura had never met before they auditioned together, but their instant connection was thrilling to watch,” said director Richard Carroll. “When we heard their powerful voices together singing ‘Who Will Love Me As I Am?', we knew instantly that they were a perfect match. Their instincts, openness, and lack of inhibition with each other was totally disarming and endearing - just as Daisy and Violet should be. They're both well-known to musical theatre audiences for their stunning vocal prowess, and SIDE SHOW gives them the opportunity to showcase that again, while also giving them the most challenging acting roles of their careers. And to be able to surround them with 10 other excellent actors of such range and variety makes SIDE SHOW unlike any other show we have seen at the Hayes.”
The supporting cast includes Daniel Belle (Les Misérables, The Ten Tenors) Gabriel Brown (Dirty Dancing, Hi-5), Michael Hart (South Pacific, Cinderella), Bree Langridge (Cats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Lachlan Martin (Georgy Girl, Strictly Ballroom), Joshua Mulheran (Ghost, West Side Story), Elenoa Rokobaro (Violet, Ghost), Berynn Schwerdt (Away, Antony & Cleopatra), Timothy Springs (Grey Gardens, Showboat) and, making her musical theatre debut, Hannah Waterman (EastEnders, The Whale).
The Australian premiere of SIDE SHOW will be directed by Richard Carroll (Calamity Jane, producer of Sweet Charity and Miracle City) choreographed by Amy Campbell (Violet, Spring Awakening) musically supervised by Steven Kreamer (Rent, Little Shop of Horrors) and musically directed by Conrad Hamill (¡Hispanic Attack!). Sydney Theatre Award-winning designers Lauren Peters (The Drowsy Chaperone, RENT) and Angela White (Heathers) will design set and costumes respectively. Jeremy Silver (RENT, Little Shop of Horrors) will be the sound designer and Hugh Hamilton (Miracle City, Legally Blonde) will be the lighting designer.
“Burrows deep into your spirit... It’s just a wonderful musical.” – New York Times
“This tender freak show will break your heart.” – LA Times
“Gorgeous score... a stunning soaring, must-see musical.” – Associated Press
Shows at Hayes Theatre Co. always sell out fast so be quick to get your tickets >> hayestheatre.com.au
Images (c) John McRae
