A new Australian musical set against the backdrop of the Tivoli Circuit, Hayes Theatre Co and New Musicals Australia presents Evie May: A Tivoli Story for a limited season at the Hayes Theatre from 12 October 2018.
With Book & Lyrics by Hugo Chiarella and Music & Lyrics by Naomi Livingston, Evie May: A Tivoli Story offers a compelling take on memory, motherhood, and the fascinating characters that populate Australia’s rich theatrical history.
In 1966, on the evening of the last ever Tivoli performance in Sydney, veteran variety star Evie May recalls the events that lead her from obscurity in regional Western Australia to the bright lights of the Australian variety circuit and the many sacrifices she made to get there.
Forced to run away from home at an early age, Evie spent her whole life trying to escape the pain of her past. As the final curtain comes down on the Tivoli and everything that has come to define her, Evie struggles to find her place in a world that no longer values the very thing she has spent her life pursuing.
Starring as Evie May, Helpmann award winner Amanda Harrison (Wicked, Les Misérables, We Will Rock You) comes directly from her most recent performance in The Rocky Horror Show. Rising musical theatre star Loren Hunter (The Boy From Oz, Georgy Girl, Strictly Ballroom) plays the younger Evelyn May, while Keegan Joyce (Rake, Please Like Me, Big River) plays the role of Cole.
Cabaret and musical theatre star Tim Draxl plays Heaney, while Bishanyia Vincent (Starfish, Galilee) and Jo Turner (Antony and Cleopatra, The Merchant of Venice) round out the cast.
Acclaimed director and choreographer Kate Champion directs, with Steven Kreamer as Musical Director. Max Lambert joins the team as Musical Supervisor and Lighting Designer Sian James-Holland and Set and Costume designer Anna Gardiner make a welcome return to Hayes Theatre Co.
“It is so important to recognise and celebrate our rich theatre history and at the workshop presentation of Evie May: A Tivoli Story I was very excited to discover two young writers who were fulfilling that necessity with enthusiastic dedication.” – Nancye Hayes AM
Director: Kate Champion Featuring: Amanda Harrison, Loren Hunter, Keegan Joyce, Tim Draxl, Jo Turner, Bishanyia Vincent Musical Director: Steven Kreamer Musical Supervisor: Max Lambert Designer: Anna Gardiner Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland Sound Designer: Nate Edmondson Assistant Director: Pippa Grandison Producer: Julian Ramundi
Evie May: A Tivoli Story
Hayes Theatre Co. 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point
Season: 16 October – 3 November 2018 (previews: 12 – 15 October)
Information and Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au
Image: Loren Hunter and Amanda Harrison feature in Evie May: A Tivoli Story