I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty-three years. Favourite roles include Eugene Fodor and Junior in (separate productions of) Crazy for You, Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
I have directed several school productions. I choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13 for St Michael’s. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr for St Michael's.
I review music theatre and opera for Theatre People and the Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). I served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years as Treasurer and I am currently on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in New York this year, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier this year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Simon Parris: Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
Bright and brisk, David McAllister’s autobiography Soar: A Life Freed by Dance nimbly chronicles the sacrifices, setbacks and successes of a life devoted to dance. Supportively co-authored by journalist Amanda Dunn, Soar […]
A trailblazing experiment to be treasured, supported and admired, the live online season of Who’s Your Baghdaddy (or How I Started the Iraq War) is an imaginative blend of musical theatre prowess, […]
The Australian Ballet returns the mixed contemporary program to the stage, showcasing the depth of talent in the company with Volt. Bookended by an almost too well-matched pair of Wayne McGregor works, […]
The noble intention of Melbourne Theatre Company’s celebration of 50 years of David Williamson plays misfires with a bland revival of 1987 hit Emerald City, a play that proves more tepid talkfest […]
Victorian Opera begins 2020 in absolute peak form, presenting Richard Strauss’ Salome on a grand scale.
Inspiring, amusing and genuinely moving, the revival tour of Billy Elliot the Musical arrives in Melbourne with an exceptional cast in peak form.
A joyful tonic, Shrek the Musical underpins glossy spectacle with endearing heart, delighting the audience with sassy humour and quirky characters.
Deftly blending uproarious humour with affecting pathos, Benjamin Law’s Torch the Place is a triumph. Having supported the writing of Law’s first play through their visionary NEXT STAGE program, Melbourne Theatre Company […]
Melbourne Opera adds to the celebrations of Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a splendidly sung revival of their 2013 staging of Fidelio.
Melbourne Theatre Company welcomes the new decade with an Australian premiere that is as lavishly produced as it is splendidly performed. If only Home, I’m Darling had something more substantial to say.
