‘Muriel’s Wedding The Musical’ set for 2017

Carmen Pavlovic, the CEO of Global Creatures, announced on September 8 that her production company is joining forces with Sydney Theatre Company (STC) to produce the world premiere of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical. As a major highlight of STC’s 2017 season, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical will run November 6 to December 30, 2017, at Sydney’s Roslyn Packer Theatre. 

Based on the internationally popular 1994 motion picture Muriel’s Wedding, which was written and directed by PJ Hogan and produced by Lynda House and Jocelyn Moorhouse, the new musical will be directed by Simon Phillips, known for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Book writer PJ Hogan is updating his own screenplay for the stage while original music is being written by award-winning singer-songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall. Their music will join the beloved songs by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, originally written for ABBA.

Helpmann Award-winner Gabriela Tylesova, frequent collaborator with Simon Phillips, will design sets and costumes.

Pavlovic stated, “When the film of Muriel’s Wedding was released in 1994, it was an immediate global sensation. The humour, emotion and heart of Muriel Heslop’s story are the perfect ingredients for a live musical! I’m thrilled that PJ Hogan has agreed to bring his much loved story to the stage…”

On his characters relating to a modern day context, PJ Hogan said, “Back in 1994, Muriel had a problem that seemed peculiar to her… how do you become famous (that is loved/admired/envied by all) when you have no discernible talent, no achievements, and when no one believes in you except you? The new millennium has provided the tools for dreamers afflicted by obscurity: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube…  Muriel was born to be a Millennial. So a Millennial she has become. Who sings.”

STC’s Interim Artistic Director Kip Williams shared that the company is “thrilled” that one of Australia’s “greatest cinematic gifts to the world will now find new life on stage.” Williams noted, “This will be a fantastic opportunity for STC to revisit a much-loved form of theatre – the musical.”

New South Wales Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said, “NSW is the nation’s home of first-run musical productions and Muriel’s Wedding The Musical will no doubt be a major success, already expected to generate more than $3 million in visitor expenditure for NSW.”

In Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Muriel Heslop is back! Stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, Muriel dreams of the perfect wedding – the white dress, the church, the attention. Unfortunately, there’s one thing missing – a groom. Following her dreams to Sydney, Muriel ends up with everything she ever wanted – a man, a fortune and a million Twitter followers. That’s when things start to go really wrong.

One of the most popular Australian movies of all time, Muriel’s Wedding starred Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan, Sophie Lee and Bill Hunter. 

Visit www.global-creatures.com for more information.