Hayes Theatre, Sydney, August 2017
“…Matthews and Aitken are both sensational. It’s a real thrill to hear Matthews sing in such an intimate setting… Aitken, who has the lion’s share of the acting as Melba, animates all the scenes she’s in… her performance in Melba announces a major talent.” – Jo Litson, Limelight
Adapted from the book “Marvelous Melba” by Ann Blainey
Presented by Hayes Theatre Co and New Musicals Australia
Starring Emma Matthews as Melba, Annie Aitken, Michael Beckley, Caitlin Berry, Andrew Cutcliffe, Blake Erickson, Genevieve Lemon and Samuel Skuthorp.
A marriage, a scandal, a lost child.
Dame Nellie Melba was the most celebrated singer of her generation. Lauded on more than three continents as a phenomenon, her life was the stuff that dreams are made of, but her journey to the top was not always untroubled.
From humble beginnings as Nellie Mitchell in Melbourne, to the stages of opera houses across Europe, MELBA charts the life of a woman who was determined to be the best in a conservative world. Melba’s life was filled with triumph and tragedy, stardom and shame; a story that is little known beyond her stellar career.
Blending contemporary music theatre with operatic arias, MELBA brings to life a woman we know so well, yet not at all.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Wayne Harrison
Musical Director – Michael Tyack
Set and Costume Design – Mark Thompson
Lighting Design – Trudy Dalgleish
Sound Design – Caitlin Porter
Executive Producer – Kerry Comerford
Read The Daily Telegraph article HERE
“Melba is an experience not to be missed – pure and simple. …Caitlin Berry is hilarious…Adam Rennie is heartthrob material vocally and – um – otherwise… Andrew Cutcliffe is a dangerously appealing singer-actor. … Melba is a peach of a show.” – Diana Simmonds, Stagenoise
