For some people, seeing old movies can take them back to a time and place and replicate a moment in their lives. For me, it can be theatre. Sadly, I have often been very disappointed to go back to a new production of a favourite musical and be sadly disappointed…

 So 2012 dawns; another year, another lot of exciting theatrical possibilities.

Seeing as though the Festive Season is fast approaching, I thought I’d run through some recent Cd and DVD releases which actors and show biz fans might find appropriate as stocking stuffers. 

Hairspray, the Broadway musical that has been playing in Australia first in Melbourne and now in Sydney, closes earlier than expected, on Sept 25th.

 Les Solomon laments the dying days of the inside CD leaflet, and reviews several recent cast recordings of Broadway musicals — all of which he proudly owns in hard copy!

 I was very pleased this week to see Troy Dodds in his farewell column on this site make reference to the fact that the Helpmann Awards need a major overhaul. The trouble is, people have been saying this for years and nothing is ever done about it!!