With episodes nearing 300 in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in our previous seasons. STAGES spotlights such episodes, in case you missed them the first time 'round - or so you can simply savour, a second listen. Either way, you'll accessing precious oral histories from the people who were there, on and around our stages.

Born into a family dynasty of performers it would appear that Tony Sheldon's destiny was pre-ordained. Recognition as a talented youth saw him perform on In Melbourne Tonight with Graham Kennedy and join the workhouse in the Sydney season of the musical Oliver.

As a young man his career as an actor in plays saw him embrace a fast-growing repertoire in roles as a sensitive young man - Equus, The Glass Menagerie and Peter Kenna's seminal Australian work, A Hard God. His break-out performance as Arnold Becker in Torch Song Trilogy quickly followed.

It wasn't long before he extended his playing into the Musical Theatre; a form that has been a life-long passion. Sheldon's engaging style, colossal charm and extensive appreciation of the form have provided us with perfect portrayals in shows that include The Venetian Twins, Into The Woods, The Producers, The Witches of Eastwick, Dames At Sea, Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly!, Victor/Victoria, and a show that has taken him around the world, given him Olivier and Tony award nominations - and a portrait in Sardi's - the role of transsexual Bernadette, the glamorous and resilient showgirl in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - The Musical.

This interview was recorded during the Sydney run of anniversary production of PRISCILLA in 2018. Sheldy was negotiating a back-injury and doubted he would reach 2000 performances in the role of Bernadette. The show goes on and of course, Sheldon continued on to Adelaide and Brisbane seasons of the musical. Not deterred by a back-injury, he completed 2006 performances in a role that commenced his global journey in 2006.

Tony Sheldon has retired from the stage. His legacy is a host of glorious turns on stage, as well as being a cherished mentor, accomplished teacher, director and writer, and professional colleague to a legion of performers. The Broadway TONY Awards are on this weekend in New York. What better way to mark the occasion than revisiting this wonderful conversation with the brilliant Tony Sheldon.

The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au