“Isn’t she radiant, look at our Muriel, Isn’t she perfect”
Sydney may well be the ‘City of Brides’ but Melbourne has well and truly caught ‘The Bouquet’
After entertaining guests and media with an irreverent look back at the journey to find her, Director Simon Philips gave way to the young woman taking on the role of iconic outsider Muriel Heslop in the upcoming Melbourne and Sydney seasons of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical – and she’s anything but terrible!
Wearing a dress and a smile as bright and as lovely as the day itself, newcomer Natalie Abbott giggled her way to the stage, where, after joking with Philips, launched into one of the productions anthems with heart-breaking optimism. This was an all too short but stunning glimpse into what we can expect from this talented young lady from early next year. Natalie Abbott is Muriel and she will absolutely resonate with anyone who has ever defied convention and aspired to a life that’s better than an ABBA song.
Much like Muriel herself, Natalie left a small coastal town to follow her dreams in Sydney. Completing her Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre at the Australian Institute of Music, Muriel’s Wedding is the first professional stage production for this delightful and bubbly 23-year-old from the South Coast of New South Wales.
A theatrical version of his hit 1994 film of the same name; PJ Hogan has updated Muriel and brought her into today. Hailed a smash by audiences and critics alike, the world premiere season sold out in 2017 and won 5 Helpmann Awards, 7 Sydney Theatre Awards and an Awgie Award. The production has music and lyrics by award winning Australian songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall with additional songs by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson for ABBA.
Heading up the creative team is award winning theatre director Simon Phillips, set and costume design is by Gabriela Tylesova, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, lighting, Trent Suidgeest and sound by Michael Waters. Musical supervision is by Isaac Hayward and the production’s musical director is Daniel Puckey.
Muriel’s Wedding The Musical will play a strictly limited season in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre from March 2019 before returning to Sydney in June 2019 playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.
MELBOURNE SEASON 2019
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Previews from March 12
Opening night March 23
Tickets on sale now from www.ticketek.com.au
SYDNEY SEASON 2019
Sydney Lyric Theatre
Previews from June 28
Opening night July 4
Tickets on sale now from www.ticketmaster.com.au
Top right – Natalie Abbott. Photo – Doug Knight
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Luke Leonard