STAGES very first guest, launching the podcast, was the legendary Toni Lamond - a woman of abundant talent and huge heart. It is a delight that we are going to bookend this very first season with her son, Tony Sheldon; our final guest for 2018.

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, DAMES AT SEA and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Most significantly, one role has taken him around the world, rewarding him with 'Olivier' and 'Tony' award nominations - that of transsexual Bernadette, the glamorous and resilient survivor, in PRISCILLA - QUEEN OF THE DESERT - The Musical.

But not "everything has come up roses" for Sheldon ... long bouts of depression and personal upsets along the way have provided their challenges. He is frank, warm and always inspiring in detailing these.

He is a true gentleman of the theatre; a captivating raconteur and a thoroughly nice man - it was an absolute delight to spend some time with Tony Sheldon.