Drive-in concerts are coming to Australia
On May 21, a free concert in Sydney featuring Casey Donovan, will showcase COVID-Safe drive-in hubs for live entertainment opening in NSW and Victoria in July.
May 19, 2020
Jo Litson
Jo Litson is the Editor of Limelight Magazine. She took up the position in late 2018 having joined the magazine as Deputy Editor in 2016. During a 35-year career as an arts journalist she has been a contributor to numerous publications including Limelight, The Australian, The Bulletin, and the Qantas magazine. She was the arts writer and theatre reviewer for The Sunday Telegraph for 12 years until 2018, and has written the labels for the Archibald Prize for the Art Gallery of New South Wales for over 20 years.
Articles by Jo Litson
A survey finds 9 in 10 will return to cultural events – though safety measures will determine when
The Audience Outlook Monitor predicts 78% will attend as often as they did pre-COVID-19, but only 22% will return as soon as restrictions are lifted. Smaller venues are most likely to attract audiences in the near future.
May 19, 2020
In Your Living Room: Theatre and Musical Theatre
This week Jo Litson recommends the Belvoir online concert, Lin-Manuel Miranda's 14-minute musical 21 Chump Street, Gillian Anderson in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Black Swan's Summer of the Seventeenth Doll.
May 19, 2020
Emergency relief for Australasian performers from the Tait Memorial Trust
Simone Young, tenor Paul Tabone, and Royal Ballet stars Leanne Benjamin and Steven McRae are among the Australians appearing in live streamed performances to support the Tait Emergency Relief Fund.
May 15, 2020
Arts Wellbeing Collective visitation soars due to COVID-19
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer discusses the support the Arts Wellbeing Collective is giving performing arts workers during the coronavirus crisis, and the path to reopening theatres.
May 14, 2020
Opera Australia cancels Sydney winter season
As OA announces another round of cancelled performances due to COVID-19, Nicole Car’s Freelance Artist Relief Australia opens applications for grants for classical Australian singers.
May 12, 2020
In Your Living Room: Theatre and Musical Theatre
This week, Jo Litson recommends Inua Ellams’ exuberant play Barber Shop Chronicles, Sam Mendes’ 1993 Donmar Warehouse production of Cabaret starring Alan Cumming, and Tim Crouch’s I, Malvolio.
May 12, 2020
Paavali Jumppanen appointed as ANAM’s new Artistic Director
The Finnish piano virtuoso discusses his new appointment, the need for musicians to have personality, the importance of cross artform connections, and the future for music post-coronavirus.
May 11, 2020
Trafalgar Entertainment to operate Sydney’s Theatre Royal
The global entertainment company led by British impresario Sir Howard Panter plans to reopen the theatre in August 2021.
May 8, 2020
Lucy Durack: Leading Lady and Mum
The popular performer who has starred in musicals such as Wicked, Legally Blonde and Shrek will perform in a concert live streamed on Mother's Day.
May 7, 2020
Anne Akiko Meyers releases a special, new arrangement by Arvo Pärt
For Christmas, the American violinist received a handwritten score of Arvo Pärt's Estonian Lullaby dedicated to her. Now she has recorded it, accompanied by a beautiful animation.
May 7, 2020
The SSO and employees sign up to new workplace arrangements
In response to COVID-19, the musicians, administrative staff and leadership team have agreed on reduced hours and salaries until the end of 2021.
May 5, 2020
In Your Living Room: Theatre and Musical Theatre
This week Jo Litson recommends John Foreman’s digital variety show Big Night In, and two live streamed concerts, Here’s to the Ladies and Lights Up on the Arts [Home Delivery].
May 5, 2020