Following a three-year development, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts presents, this November, a sizzling hot new musical, Tivoli Lovely, paying tribute to Australia’s theatrical past in the Heath Ledger Theatre.
This new musical written by former WAAPA graduate, the multi-talented performer Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice, Shane Warne the Musical) features an exciting ensemble cast of 40 complete with a live band.
Set in the present time and in 1954, the golden age of the Tivoli, a popular circuit of Australian theatres staging variety shows. We meet troubled teen Charlotte (15) who visits former Tivoli dancer Kitty (85) in her aged home as part of a school assignment. Through their conversations, Kitty reminisces of her time on the Tivoli circuit, her past loves, and being a member of the notorious Eleven Kevins dance act.
The original Tivoli featured revue skits, opera, ballet, singing, acrobats, jugglers, clowns, tight rope dancer, whistlers, comics, magicians, musical comedy, performing dogs and seals, whip crackers, puppeteers and Shakespeare. It included local, and international performers from the United States and United Kingdom.
With the advent of television, the Tivoli circuit suffered a decline. At their height of the circuit, the performers traipsed a well-worn circuit around Australia and were among the highest paid entertainers in the business.
“Tivoli Lovely was inspired by a desire to create a new work of music theatre that strengthens our connection with Australia’s theatrical past,” said Eddie Perfect. “America had vaudeville, Britain had music hall, and Australia had the Tivoli.”
“Along with extensive research of the Tiv’s incredible origins and lore, I have collected many anecdotes, myths, legends and tall tales of Australian theatre by other incredible performers. As one who treads the boards myself, I feel proud to be a part of a rich, ongoing tradition that has provided art and entertained Australian audiences for generations.”
“These stories are as fantastical and wild as they are fragile and prone to extinction. 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,” says Perfect.
Under the direction of multi award-winning director and former WAAPA graduate Dean Bryant (Dear Evan Hansen, My Brilliant Career The Musical), with music direction by Zara Stanton (Fangirls), Tivoli Lovely takes us down memory lane and pays homage to the entertainers that performed live staged variety shows from 1893 to 1960s.
“Eddie has written a hilarious, wild, new Aussie dance musical. It’s been a treat to develop it over three years with the students, and audiences are going to see something truly original and exciting,” says Director Dean Bryant.
Packed with energy, original songs and dynamic choreography, this new musical features Australia’s newest music theatre performers who will tap and sing their way into your hearts.
Tivoli Lovely will be presented at the Heath Ledger Theatre – State Theatre Centre of WA from 7 – 14 November 2025. For more information, visit: www.waapa.ecu.edu.au for details.
Image: Tivoli Lovely (supplied)