Launceston will be turned into its own glee club for four days in May, if organisers behind the inaugural Australian Musical Theatre Festival have their way.
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The packed four-day program includes two major shows at Theatre North, workshops, masterclasses, pop-up performances, as well as a full schools program and a late-night festival club.
With a huge line-up of actors, singers, coaches and industry insiders set to teach and present, festival manager Jane Forrest said the event promised to put Launceston on the musical map.
“This is a festival for anyone with a love of musical theatre,” she said.
“From professionals, community groups, schools – anyone with a passion for the arts. This is a major coup for Launceston, which is already a musical theatre obsessed city.
“This festival will draw musical theatre fans from across the country, which will be amazing for the Australian musical theatre scene and deliver real economic benefits for Tasmania.”
After a survey conducted by Tourism Northern Tasmania last year, identified musical theatre as a key area of interest for events, Ms Forrest said she was thrilled to see the vision become a reality.
Supported by the state government through Events Tasmania, the festival will be headlined by Australian stage and television stars Rob Mills and Jemma Rix.
Rix is best known for her role as Elphaba in Wicked The Musical, while Mills was a finalist on Australian Idol before going on to star in Neighbours and on the theatre stage.
Ms Forrest said the festival’s program would also help transcend musical theatre to the streets of Launceston.
“Theatre, as the name suggests, happens indoors. But we want to take it to the streets and get as many people involved as possible,” she said.
“The program we have put together is diverse, significant and fun with something for everyone from musical theatre fans to aspiring stars and industry professionals.
“Everyone connected to musical theatre will want to be at this Festival, so I would really encourage you to book tickets early.”
- The Australian Musical Theatre Festival will take place from May 23-26. For more information follow the Australian Musical Theatre Festival Facebook page. For tickets, visit www.amtf.org.au.