STAGES with Peter Eyers

Natalie Gamsu is a singer, actor and cabaret artist whose performances have been acclaimed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sydney and Johannesburg.

Born in Namibia, Natalie studied Drama at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She established a strong following with her own solo cabaret shows, musical theatre, and the television series, The Big Time, for which she won, Best Actress in a TV series.

From 1992 until 2003, Natalie lived and worked in New York City. She made her Manhattan cabaret debut at the Greenwich Village cabaret room, Club 88, where she subsequently headlined six seasons with her own shows. She went on to perform at the famous Oak Room, Fez, and The Russian Tea Room. She won the Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist and a MAC Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist in 1997 and 2000. Her debut CD Weave also received a MAC nomination for Best New Recording.

Natalie featured in the documentary Showbiz Is My Life with the cabaret icon Julie Wilson and Baby Jane Dexter.

In 1996, she made her London debut at the ICA, in Gary Carter’s Acts And Revelations. They collaborated again in 2000 at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre with Anger Is Not A Place I Like To Be commissioned by the Fierce Festival. Masque Of Water, commissioned by Queer Up North was performed at The Royal Exchange in Manchester in 2005.

Since moving to Australia in 2003, Natalie has performed in clubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. She continues to create her own one-woman shows, recently producing her second CD, Misfit.

Natalie has been delighted to collaborate with the extraordinary artist and sculptor Ken Unsworth, singing with a 19-piece orchestra for his installation A Ringing Glass at Cockatoo Island, and at the Art Gallery of NSW in House of Blue Leaves.

Some of Gamsu’s theatre credits include Candide (Woman With One Buttock – Multiple Award Winner), Dr Zhivago (GFO), Mary Poppins, (Miss Andrew – Disney), Women Of Troy (directed by Barry Kosky for Sydney Theatre Company). Natalie originated the role of Abuela in Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom (Global Creatures).

Natalie also works on the large and small screens. Her credits include the on-going role of Jan Barton in the long running Australian soap Neighbours, and the role of Fatima in the Feature Film, Ali’s Wedding.

Her autobiographical theatrical work, Shrapnel takes to the stage at the Hayes theatre in Sydney from October 3rd to 6th. The show is an evening of storytelling, music, and a yearning to find the flamenco dancer inside.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Carmel Dean is a Composer, Arranger, Musical Director and Pianist. Her first musical, Renascence, was produced Off-Broadway by the award-winning Transport Group, and was named Best New Musical at the 2018 Off-Broadway Alliance Awards. The Original Off-Broadway Cast album is available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Her song cycle Well-Behaved Women starring Broadway stars LaChanze, Bonnie Milligan, Liz Callaway, Barbara Walsh and Andrea Burns, among others, premiered to two sold-out performances at Joe’s Pub in New York City. 

As a Musical Supervisor and Arranger her recent projects included The Notebook with music by Ingrid Michaelson. Carmel was Musical Director for the Broadway musical If/Then, starring Idina Menzel, and was Music Supervisor of the subsequent National Tour.

Other Broadway credits include Hands on a Hardbody, American Idiot, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway credits include Everyday Rapture, Vanities and Elegies by William Finn. International credits include Chicago in Hong Kong and the 2000 Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Sydney. Carmel has also served as Chita Rivera’s Musical Director for many national and international appearances, and she performed with Green Day on the Grammy Awards in 2010.

Other compositions include the YouTube series Project: Song Blog; music for the Disney TV show Johnny & the Sprites; and Songs of Innocence & Experience (co-composed with William Finn, Deborah Abramson, Vadim Feichtner & Gi-hieh Lee.)

Carmel is a native of Perth, Western Australia, and received a B.Mus. from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). In 2001 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States, and subsequently graduated from NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program with a MFA in Musical Theatre Writing. She is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Workshop.

Sydney audiences are readying for an enormous treat as Carmel is in town for the return Australian season of her delicious song-cycle Well-Behaved Women. This dynamic and empowering musical extravaganza celebrates extraordinary women throughout history.

Well-Behaved Women is a co-production between Belvoir Theatre and Michelle Guthrie Presents. It plays the Belvoir Theatre from September 28th to November 3rd.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Old Friends Mark Trevorrow, Rupert Noffs and Bev Kennedy have much in common; great musicianship and their love of Stephen Sondheim’s extraordinary songbook. They have crafted an intimate evening of cabaret celebrating the late, great composer/lyricist’s vast cannon. OLD FRIENDS! features solos, duets, mashups and medleys, with light hearted banter and stories in between. It is a classy, superbly played and sung show with a cheeky queer bent.

Bev Kennedy is one of Australia’s leading musicians and Musical directors having worked on over 30 Professional music theatre productions including Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!, The Producers, We Will Rock You, The Lion King, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Chicago, Muriel’s Wedding, Heathers, Jersey Boys, Wicked & The Concert version of Sunset Boulevard with Judi Conelli. As Assistant Musical Director she has worked on Simon Gallaher’s Pirates of Penzance; the highest selling recording of a musical in Australian history & also won an Aria award for best soundtrack.  

Rupert Noffs is a singer and actor trained at NIDA and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. As the grandson of the legendary Ted Noffs, founder of Kings Cross’ Wayside Chapel, he carries a significant artistic legacy. Rupert discovered his love for Stephen Sondheim at 16, performing “Being Alive” at the Sydney Opera House. Rupert has appeared on screen as Jacki Weaver’s son and played Bob Downe’s nephew, in both Sydney and San Francisco.

During his seven years living and working in Manhattan, Rupert collaborated with New York cabaret legend Amber Martin at Joe’s Pub and Parkside Lounge. He was a judge on Seven’s All Together Now hosted by Julia Zemiro, and performed sold-out one-man shows at Claire’s Kitchen on Oxford Street.”

Comedian, singer, actor, broadcaster and journalist, Mark Trevorrow’s 40+ year journey through Australian media and show business has taken him from the Melbourne Herald Sun, to cabaret group The Globos, to arts editor of Vogue Australia, to the creation of Bob Downe in 1984, to acting in Kath & Kim, singing as himself on Good News Week and broadcasting on ABC TV and local radio – then back to Bob again. His work has taken him from Australia to Edinburgh to London to New York, and it’s not over yet!

OLD FRIENDS! is touring through November with dates in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Check out the team’s Instagram page - oldfriendssingsondheim

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Gregg Arthur is an original voice who has learned from and performed with music industry giants all over the world. His warm baritone and huge range allows him to embrace an audience with a tender ballad and thrill with outstanding vocal acuity, but most of all it’s his emphasis on rhythm and phrasing that has brought him admiration from legends and critics everywhere.

Gregg started singing and playing piano at an early age, always loving the jazz standards from his grandmothers sheet music and listening to his father’s record collection. He gained professional stage experience working for Australian Opera in productions of Aida, Marriage of Figaro, The Merry Widow and more, during a classic era of Dame Joan Sutherland and Rita Hunter and met legendary actor and teacher Hayes Gordon during Fiddler On The Roof. With stage and acting coaching by Gordon and vocal training teacher Don Graden he soon knew how to perform a song with originality, confidence and knew how to own the stage. 

He has always worked with and had great friendships with the very best musicians and orchestrators in the music industry. Performing with Don Burrows and George Golla, John Morrison and Swing City, Chair Of Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Craig Scott, Band leader and pianist Geoff Harvey, and Maestro Tommy Tycho with whom he recorded albums for ABC Music with a 50 piece orchestra.
In the USA Gregg Arthur has worked with and performed with Frank Sinatra’s pianist and conductor Vincent Falcone, Bobby Darin’s pianist and arranger Bob Rosario, and Sammy Davis Jr’s drummer Clayton Cameron. Over many years Gregg Arthur performed at Herb Alpert’s Bel Air venue Vibrato with bass legend Pat Senator of Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass, and pianist and arranger Tom Ranier.
Gregg Arthur has released 9 albums, 7 compilations and 2 EP’s. His latest album out now is Gregg Arthur In Concert The Great American Songbook.  His reworking of Australian classic My City Of Sydney was released in October 2020.

www.greggarthur.com

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Two of STAGES favourite Arts workers have recently returned from pilgrimages to London ….  and have inhaled the smorgasbord of musical and play offerings playing on West End stages. 

Publicist Ian Phipps and ‘Man-in-Chair’; Simon Parris, return to the STAGES podcast to share what they saw .. what they liked, what they didn’t …. and perhaps even to boast a little.

They provide first-hand insight of what we could expect, if finding ourselves in the Savoy, Dominion, National, Donmar, Old Vic or Barbican theatres over the coming months.

Simon Parris is a theatre reviewer based in Melbourne. His review blog ‘Man in Chair’ regularly reviews musicals, plays, opera and the arts. Access to these reviews can be found at simonparrismaninchair.com

Ian Phipps is one of Australia’s leading publicists, promoting theatre and its stars around Australia. If you know that a show is happening, no doubt it’s because Ian has communicated this to you via a myriad of masterful means.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Silvie Paladino has established herself as one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers.

Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role on the West End in the London production. In 1997, Silvie returned to London and performed the role of Fantine in Les Misérables for a successful two-year season.

Silvie’s other Australasian credits include the role of Jeannie in Hair, Grizabella in the Australian and Asian tour of Cats, Ellen in Cameron Mackintosh’s Australian premiere of Miss Saigon, Donna in the smash hit Mamma Mia!, Rita in the world premiere of Sideshow Alley, Lady Thiang in The King And I, Florence in Chess (Green Room Award and Helpmann nomination), Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, Helen Bechdel in MTC’s Fun Home and the Fairy Godmother, in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

She has performed as guest solo artist with Australia’s leading orchestras and has also toured with Patrizio Buanne and Michael Bolton. She has had the honour of performing with celebrated theatre composers Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Sondheim.

Silvie is also well known to Australian audiences through her performances at special events including the AFL Grand Final, NRL Grand Final, The Boxing Day Cricket Test, The Asia Pacific Special Olympics, The Olympic Dinner in Beijing, A Night with Roger Federer and Friends – and regular television appearances including Carols by Candlelight.

Her recordings include Silvie Paladino Sings Streisand (a live recording of her one-woman show for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award), Silvie Paladino – Christmas List, On My Own, When You Believe, O Holy Night and I Give You My Heart with the Salvation Army Band.

Silvie is currently playing the role of Norma Desmond at select performances in Opera Australia’s production of Sunset Boulevard.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

After originally studying double degrees in Law and Arts (Politics and Economics) at Monash University, Anton Berezin found success as an Actor, Producer, Writer and Director. He established his first Production Company in 1994.

He is known for his roles in commercial musical theatre productions for over 30 years, in celebrated productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Bridges of Madison County, Evita, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, The Producers, Cabaret, Fiddler of the Roof and Cats. 

Anton was co-founder of Australasia's leader in live family entertainment; from humble beginnings, Life Like Touring and The Entertainment Store grew to become the third ranked (by sales volume) businesses of their kind globally. Anton's businesses were acquired by Australian entertainment behemoth, TEG, in 2016, with Anton staying on as Managing Director until October 2019.

The independent production company, Monstrous Theatre, is Anton’s next commercial venture, a production house he established with his wife and creative force, Theresa Borg.

Monstrous Theatre presents opera, musicals and plays, with coming attractions that include bold productions of You’re the Man at La Mama in Melbourne,  Yentl at the Sydney Opera House and Anne Being Frank across the USA.

monstroustheatre.com.au

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Originally from Melbourne Australia, Benjamin Osborne made his stage debut in the original production of The Boy from Oz. This was followed by appearing in Shout - The Legend of the Wild One  and the original Australian company of Mamma Mia! During his time there, he assumed the role of Dance Captain for the Australian and Asian tours.

Benjamin then took on the role of Dance Captain for the Australian production of Miss Saigon, where he later became the Resident Choreographer. He has since worked on the Korean, Dutch, Japanese, New York and U.K/European Tour productions as the Associate Choreographer.

Benjamin’s other credits include the 10th Anniversary production of Mamma Mia!, the Australian and New Zealand tours of Jersey Boys, and the Australian productions of The Addams Family and Disney’s Aladdin, all as Resident Choreographer. 

Benjamin also choreographed the first Australian professional showings of both ‘Passion’ and ‘City of Angels’ for Lifelike Productions.

Benjamin and is presently the Resident Director for the Australian tour of Beauty and the Beast, guiding the inhabitants of the enchanted castle and nurturing the tale as old as time.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Ewan Campbell, Australia's No. 1 television warm-up artist, is the creator and founder of Stentorian Communications. He is an actor, director and presentation coach; a talented and multi-faceted performer, with vast experience in corporate training and facilitation, voice-overs, and MC roles. 

Ewan has successfully written produced and facilitated presentations for a who's who of corporate Australia including IBM, Optus, Samsung, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Westpac, Telstra and McDonalds Australia. He was a founder and director of Instant Theatre, the first innovative impro training company using improvisational and theatrical techniques to provide a unique and different training experience.

Ewan Campbell is a sought after television warm-up comedian and his resume includes The Footy Show, Midday, Andrew Denton's Enough Rope, Australian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Master Chef, Junior Master Chef, The Biggest Loser and the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. 

He is also a first-rate improvisation (improv) comedy performer of many years' experience, regarded as one of the best improv comics in Australia. He has a long standing reputation for his ability to catch and hold even the most challenging audience!

Ewan competes in Impro’s gala event of the year … Celebrity TheatreSports™ on Sunday 25th August 4pm, at The Enmore Theatre, Newtown. Comedy magic for a cause: proudly supporting Canteen. Canteen supports young people (aged 12-25) when cancer turns their world upside down. 
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Rodney Fisher is a stage director who has worked in most major theatres in Australia and for all Australian theatre companies as well as Opera Australia, VSO, Bavarian State Opera, Royal Ballet London and Legs on the Wall. He has directed in England, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong and at the Spoleto Festival, Charleston, South Carolina. He has worked in dance, film, video and written several theatre pieces and screenplays.

Highlights include: The Bastard from the Bush (Robin Ramsay one man show), A Star is Torn – also wrote – (Robyn Archer), Master Class, My Fair Lady (Anthony Warlow and Suzanne Johnston) and Steaming (legendary Australian tour). Work for the Sydney Theatre Company includes: The Lady in the Van, Pentecost, The Rain Dancers, The Secret Rapture, and The Doll Trilogy. 

Rodney was Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia from 1997 to 2000, directing The Department, Macbeth, The Idiot, Kafka Dances, Courtyard of Miracles, The Rose Tattoo and Twelfth Night. 

Other credits include: Design for Living, Hay Fever (MTC); The Merry Widow (Ess Gee Productions); From Here to There (Legs on the Wall); A Winter’s Tale (QTC), Maria Stuarda, Lady Bracknell’s Confinement, Hello Dolly, My Darling It’s Noel, Shock of the New, La Traviata, A Violent Act (STC); Don John (SSO); and The Bookclub (Hit Productions/Ensemble theatre).

Rodney adapted, designed and directed Henry Purcell’s King Arthur for the 2016 Brisbane Baroque Festival, and directed the ACO production Barry Humphries' Weinmar Cabaret, starring his frequent collaborator, Meow Meow for its initial Australian season and its tour to London and North America.

Rodney Fisher is one of our master storytellers whose contributions to the theatre are substantial and of vital significance.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au