Melbourne Theatre Bugs Get Ready, ‘Hamilton’ Is Coming

Don't waste your shot.

By Laura Roscioli

Published on 21/05/2021 at 08:53 AM

If you haven’t had a chance to see Hamilton in Sydney yet — Lin Manuel Miranda’s award-winning musical about one of the founding fathers of the United States — then don’t stress, it’s not going anywhere.

According to The Age, the Australian production of Hamilton is due to set up shop at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, where Frozen is currently playing.

This news comes as Cameron MackIntosh’s highly anticipated production of Mary Poppins will be coming to the Lyric Theatre in May next year.

“Hamilton is currently on sale until December and we’ll continue to see how things progress on a day-by-day basis. So far, every performance has been a full-house and standing ovation at every show,” he said.

Australia is currently the only city in the world where the Tony-award winning hip hop musical is playing, as New York’s Broadway and London’s West End remain shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If Hamilton moves to Melbourne next year, it will be the place to be for musical theatre! It will be home to an incredible selection of shows, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Wedding Singer, Moulin Rogue and Ghost Stories all playing in the Victorian capital.

That doesn’t mean that Sydney will become a cultural wasteland, however, as the Emerald City can look forward to the local version of Alanis Morrissette’s Jagged Little Pill which is opening in September, The Phantom of the Opera at the Opera House, also from September and, as mentioned, Mary Poppins from May 2022.

Hamilton opened in Sydney in March after the city beat out Melbourne for the honour, immediately breaking box office records with 250,000 tickets sold before the first preview debuted.

The beloved musical premiered on Broadway in August 2015 and has since won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

In 2020, a live stage recording of the show — featuring the original cast which included Miranda in the titular role — was made available on Disney+.

Tickets for the Sydney show are available here.

For more information on the musical, read our article: Got Tickets to Hamilton? Brush Up on Your Knowledge Before You Go

Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here.

Entertainment

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023 in Australia

And what it means to be in the year of the Rabbit.

By Natasha Bazika

Published on 12/01/2023 at 12:59

where to celebrate lunar new year australia

Starting with the new moon on Sunday, January 22, this Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Rabbit. We’ve put together a guide on celebrating the Lunar New Year in Australia.

What is special about the year of the Rabbit?

As you might know, each year has an animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on the moon and has a 12-year cycle. This year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit, known to be the luckiest out of all twelve animals. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty.

What celebrations are taking place and how can I get involved?

There are plenty of festivals happening all around the country which you can get involved with. Here they are per state.

New South Wales

Darling Harbour Fireworks
When: Every year, Sydney puts on a fireworks show, and this year, you can catch it on January 28 and February 4 at 9 pm in Darling Harbour.

Dragon Boat Races
When: Witness three days of dragon boat races and entertainment on Cockle Bay to usher in the Lunar New Year. The races will commence on January 27 and finish on January 29.

Lion Dances
When: Catch a traditional Lion Dance moving to the beat of a vigorous drum bringing good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year. The dance performances will happen across Darling Harbour on Saturday, January 21, Sunday, January 22, and Sunday, February 4 and 5, around 6 pm and 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at Cirrus Dining
When: Barangaroo’s waterfront seafood restaurant, Cirrus, is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a special feast menu. Cirrus’ LNY menu is $128pp with optional wine pairing and is available from Saturday, January 21, to Sunday, February 5.

Auntie Philter
When: Hello Auntie’s owner and executive chef, Cuong Nguyen will be dishing out some of the most classic Vietnamese street foods with his mum, Linda. All of Philter’s favourites will be on offer, as well as Raspberry Pash Beer Slushies and other cocktails being served at the Philter Brewing rooftop bar on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Victoria

Lunar New Year Festival
When: Ring in the Lunar New Year with food, music, arts, and more on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at the National Gallery of Victoria
When: Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s festival of art, food, and art-making activities for everyone from 10 am-5 pm.

Queensland

BriAsia Festival
When: From February 1-19, Brisbane will come alive with performances, including lion dances and martial arts displays. There will be street food, workshops, comedy and more.

South Australia

Chinatown Adelaide Street Party
When: Adelaide is set to hose a fun-filled day celebrating the Chinese New Year on Saturday, January 28, from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Western Australia

Crown Perth
When: Across January and February, Crown Perth hosts free live entertainment, including colourful lion dances, roving mascots, and drumming performances. The restaurants will also throw banquets and menus dedicated to the Lunar New Year.

Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here.