One of Melbourne’s all-time favourite musicals, My Fair Lady returns in a sumptuous, sparkling production that meticulously recreates the original Broadway staging.
My Fair Lady review [Melbourne 2017]
Simon Parris
I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past forty 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, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.
At my next school, I was Head of Productions, overseeing up to a dozen productions each year and directing another seven musicals, including The Music Man, Brigadoon and How To Succeed in Business Without really Trying.
I reviewed 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 was on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in a 2012 trip to New York, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier the same year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
CLOC Musical Theatre: Les Misérables review
Twenty-four years after presenting the hugely successful Victorian non-professional premiere of Les Misérables, CLOC Musical Theatre and director Chris Bradtke reunite to spend One Day More on the barricade.
Opera Australia: Cavalleria Rusticana – Pagliacci review [Melbourne 2017]
Insightful direction adds layers of dramatic depth to this splendid production of classic opera double bill Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.
Victorian Opera: La Sonnambula review
Proving that lightning can indeed strike the same place twice, Victorian Opera’s concert presentation of La Sonnambula was another unforgettable evening of bel canto brilliance showcasing superstar soprano Jessica Pratt.
Opera Australia: Carmen review [Melbourne 2017]
Emotionally sharp, gorgeously sung and spectacular to behold, Opera Australia’s new Carmen is a production to be treasured.
Kane Alexander – Different Stages: The Broadway Album review
With years of experience on the musical theatre stage, the time is right for Kane Alexander to release his second album, Different Stages: The Broadway Album, a collection of Broadway’s most popular […]
Cabaret review [Melbourne 2017]
Although its timeless quality and eerily prescient politics make Cabaret ripe for revival, a proliferation of poor directorial choices derails the promise of this new production.
BK Opera: Werther review
Adding another layer to Melbourne’s burgeoning independent opera scene, BK Opera distinguishes themselves with a fine performance of Massenet’s romantic tragedy Werther.
The Shanghai Ballet: Swan Lake review
The Shanghai Ballet’s highly traditional production of Swan Lake is distinguished by the exquisite use of a huge corps de ballet of angelic dancers.
Aladdin review [Melbourne 2017]
Shining, shimmering, splendid, Aladdin transports audiences on a magic carpet ride to a whole new world of kaleidoscopic intensity.
Man in Chair 