After three years of development, new musical Tivoli Lovely writes a love letter to the golden age of Australian theatre.
For an extremely limited run at the Heath Ledger Theatre, audiences can catch the new musical from the mind of Eddie Perfect, WAAPA graduate and multi-talented performer (Beetlejuice, Shane Warne the Musical), from Friday, November 7, to Friday, November 14.
The Tivoli was a popular circuit of Australian theatres staging variety shows, and Tivoli Lovely sets out to pay tribute through a musical that is packed with energy, original songs and dynamic choreography. At the height of the Tivoli circuit, performers were among the highest-paid entertainers in the business, featuring acts such as opera, ballet, singing, acrobats, jugglers, clowns, comics and more.
Set in the present and 1954, the musical sees former Tivoli dancer Kitty reminisce on her time on the Tivoli circuit, her past loves, and being a member of the notorious Eleven Kevins dance act.
“Tivoli Lovely was inspired by a desire to create a new work of music theatre that strengthens our connection with Australia’s theatrical past. America had vaudeville, Britain had music hall, and Australia had the Tivoli,” says Eddie Perfect of his motivation in writing the musical.
“We have our very own brand of show business here in Australia, and in writing Tivoli Lovely I hope to honour the ghosts of Australia’s extraordinary theatrical past, whilst celebrating our bright future with the next generation of performers.”
An award-winning mind is also behind the direction, with WAAPA graduate Dean Bryant (Dear Evan Hansen, My Brilliant Career the Musical) taking the reins, and ARIA-nominated Zara Stanton (FANGIRLS) is musical director.
This commissioned musical was made possible by the support and investment of WAAPA’s Principal Partner, Minderoo Foundation, and is one of two projects which has seen international artists working over a three-year period with WAAPA students.
With an ensemble cast of 40, complete with a live band, Australia’s newest music theatre performers tap and sing their way into your heart in a hilarious original story you won’t want to miss.
