A fabulous new musical showing at the Joan will transport audiences to a stunning world of glamour, wit and elegance.
Internationally acclaimed musical ‘Noel & Gertie’ will be showing at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre from June 5 to June 8.
This clever musical explores the dynamic friendship between legendary 1920’s entertainers Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, who formed a renowned on and off stage partnership.
Both performers personified British upper class glamour – they looked impeccably elegant and sang, danced and made jokes and witticisms.
Coward was a man with many talents, forging a successful career in entertainment as an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, novelist, poet and cabaret artist. He was the creative force behind productions such as ‘Private Lives’, ‘Present Laughter’, ‘Blithe Spirit’ and ‘Hay Fever’.
His sidekick Lawrence was just as well known as a celebrated actress with performances on stage in shows including ‘Lady in the Dark’ and ‘The King and I’.
This innovative production shines new light on their close friendship, using diaries and letters between the two as well as songs, sketches and scenes from Coward’s most beloved works to display his talents.
It is directed by Nancye Hayes and stars actor and writer James Millar as Coward and Lucy Maunder as Lawrence.
Maunder, who has previously appeared in a range of popular musicals including ‘Dr Zhivago’, ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, said audiences have a lot to look forward to with ‘Noel & Gertie’.
“This is very much in the Noel Coward style of being super quick-witted and acerbic and very funny… so the audience can expect a lot of laughs,” she said.
While Coward and Lawrence may have enjoyed the height of their fame way back in the 1920’s, their work is still relevant and will appeal to younger audiences.
“I think what we’re trying to do with it is put our own flavour on it and shine a bit of new light onto this work and I reckon a lot of people our age will absolutely enjoy the show and I don’t think you need to be a Noel Coward fan at all but I assume that anyone who comes to see it will be by the end because he’s so wonderfully clever in his dialogue and songs and lyrics, you can’t not fall in love with the material,” Maunder said.
‘Noel & Gertie’ will show at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre from Wednesday, June 5 to Saturday, June 8. Tickets range from $29 to $49. For bookings or more information, call 4723 7600 or visit www.jspac.com.au.
