Published on November 14th, 2018 | by Admin
Midsumma Extravaganza
After last year’s sold out Comedy Extravaganza, we’ve upsized to an all-star variety show of epic proportions! Set in the grand dame that is Hamer Hall and hosted by Rhys Nicholson, the Midsumma Extravaganza will feature Zoe Coombs Marr, Trevor Ashley, Carlotta, Joel Creasey and more.
A celebration of Australia’s amazingly diverse and talented LGBTI artists; the 2019 Midsumma Extravaganza is set to be the queer event of the year. Hosted by Rhys Nicholson (Gay Crashers, MICF Barry Award Nominee) with fabulous guests including YUMMY (Bank SA Best Cabaret, Adelaide Fringe), Steven Oliver (Black Comedy), Mama Alto (GLOBE Artist Of The Year), Joel Creasey (Take Me Out, Show Me The Movie), Trevor Ashley (Les Miserables, Fat Swan, Diamonds Are For Trevor), Zoe Coombs Marr (MICF Barry Award Winner) and the divine Carlotta (what hasn’t she done?!).
“I’m thrilled to be back at both Arts Centre Melbourne and Midsumma! It’s going to be a spectacular night full of laughs and great music. I can’t wait to share the night with both this great lineup and you!” said producer and performer Trevor Ashley.
Trevor Ashley is one of Australia’s most sought-after and successful performers. He has built a career as an actor, writer, director and international queen of cabaret. Ashley recently starred as Thenardier in Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Miserables for which he received a Helpmann Award nomination. Previously, Trevor played the leading role of Edna Turnblad in David Atkins’ Hairspray (Sydney Theatre Award nomination), and was also an original cast member of Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical, creating the role of Miss Understanding.
But it is in the works of his own creations that he truly shines including, Fat Swan (Helpmann nominee), Little Orphan TrAshley, Diamonds Are For Trevor (Helpmann nominee), I’m Every Woman (Sydney Theatre Award – Best Cabaret), and Liza (on an E), a show which has taken him around Australia and the world, culminating with a season in London’s West End. Trevor recently toured Australia with his hilarious new adults-only pantomime The Bodybag and starred as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
It is clear to see that Trevor Ashley has made quite an impact on many theatergoers over the years, including co-producer of Midsumma Extravaganza Thomas Jaspers.
“For my 18th birthday, when I was just coming to terms with my sexuality and starting out as a performer, my parents bought me tickets to see Trevor Ashley in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and to this day, it remains one of my favourite theatre experiences. I am so honoured to now be collaborating on this line-up with Trevor and all of these amazing performers who have made Australia’s LGBTQIA+ arts scene so rich and diverse,” Jaspers said.
The Midsumma Extravaganza will be the highlight of the Midsumma Festival, which is Victoria’s premier LGBTQIA+ cultural festival, made for and by communities who live with shared experiences around diverse gender and sexuality. Midsumma works year-round to provide artists with support and tools to create, present and promote their work at the annual festival.
Arts Centre Melbourne and Midsumma Festival
with Trevor Ashley Enterprises and Thomas Jaspers present
Midsumma Extravaganza
29 January 2019
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Duration is 2hrs (including interval)
Tickets on sale 9:00am, 14 November 2018
Book at artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183