Put on your best ABBA outfits because Porpoise Spit’s most iconic export Muriel Heslop is back, and this time she’s singing! A new musical adaption of one of Australia’s most beloved films, Muriel’s Wedding, hits the stage this November and after a long and exhaustive search the new Muriel has been found!
Newcomer Maggie Mckenna will make her professional stage debut as the lovable Muriel Heslop in the world premiere of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical; presented by The Sydney Threat Company and Global Creatures. Made famous by Toni Collette in the original 1994 film, McKenna has some pretty big shoes to fill. Writer PJ Hogan says he is not worried, “When I made the film, Muriel was a difficult part to cast. So my smile was huge when I met Toni Collette. Almost 25 years later I smiled that same smile when I met Maggie McKenna.”
The 20-year-old Melbourne born actress has recently returned to Australia after training at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. “It’s hard to describe the thrill you get when, after months of searching, you suddenly clap eyes on the person who feels destined to play a role,” says Director Simon Phillips, “It’s going to be a challenging ride for her I’m sure – a huge role to score at the age of 20 – but I feel sure she’s about to take Porpoise Spit by storm.”
Joining Mckenna is a 28-strong cast including Christie Whelan Browne as Queen Bee of the local bitches Tania Degano, Helen Dallimoore playing nasty beauty consultant Deirdre Chambers and Justine Clarke as the long suffering Betty Heslop. Muriel’s love interests will be played by Ben Bennett as Brice Nobes, the first guy to ever ask Muriel on a date, and Stephen Madsen as the Olympic swimming hopeful Alexander Shkuratov.
As well your favourite ABBA tracks, the musical will also include original music and lyrics composed by creative and life partners Kate Miller-Heidke and Kier Nuttall. Gabriela Tylesova, famous for her work in Ladies in Black and Love Never Dies, also joins the team as Set and Costume Designer.
Muriel’s Wedding The Musical previews from November 6th and plays until January 27th at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay NSW.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at: sydneytheatre.com.au
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