Australian premiere of ‘Head Over Heels’ heads to Hayes
The bold new musical, ‘Head Over Heels’ will receive its Australian premiere at Hayes Theatre Company in 2021.
With performances from 6 August, and until September, this Broadway smash-hit will bring the beat to Sydney audiences. Set to the music of iconic 1980s all-female rock band, The Go-Go’s, ‘Head Over Heels’ is a jukebox production that adapts the story of ‘The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia’.
In a nutshell, it tells of King Basilius of Arcadia’s brazen (yet completely on-brand) attempts to flout the dire warnings of the Oracle; setting off on a journey of evasion and avoidance with his entire family in tow. The next few raucous and ruff-filled hours see all that is familiar to this royal clan tipped on its crown as they are flung, loins first, into a new age of inclusion and transformation.
Director, Ellen Simpson, spoke of how the musical easily won her heart from the get-go.
“Before I began reading the piece, I stumbled on an interview with a handful of the Broadway cast. I’ve not seen an interview where the cast were so effervescent in their joy and love for their show,” said Simpson.
“They were so assured in its message of inclusion, and the importance with which they spoke about how the show called for diversity and broad representation was galvanizing and inspiring. It had my heart already.”
Joining director Ellen Simpson (‘Muriel’s Wedding’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’) as part of this Australian creative team are choreographer Cameron Mitchell (‘Catch Me If You Can’, ‘The View UpStairs’), music director Zara Stanton (‘Fangirls’, ‘HMS Pinafore’) and designer Isabel Hudson (‘American Psycho’, ‘The View UpStairs’).
While no casting has been officially confirmed, an announcement will be made in the coming months.
‘Head Over Heels’ comes from the visionaries behind ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’, ‘Avenue Q’, ‘Next To Normal’ and ‘Spring Awakening’. With a ground-breaking undertone, it features popular songs like “We Got The Beat, “Our Lips Are Sealed” and Belinda Carlisle’s “Heave is a Place on Earth”. Simpson said that it’s a musical many can easily fall in love with.
“Without it sounding like a variety extravaganza, I really expect ‘Head Over Heels to have something for everyone,” said Simpson.
“If it’s punny you’re after – welcome. Are you a Scream Queen and only looking for skyrocketing belters and soaring rock melodies? Please, do come in. You’re a Trad Fad? Don’t be coy… there are nods, nudges and hat tips to every classic that ever curtseyed.
Having been involved with several wonderful projects with Hayes Theatre Co already as choreographer and movement director, I am very excited and full of anticipation for my upcoming role as director of Head Over Heels. I’m looking forward
to injecting a large, ruff-wrapped dose of joy into Sydney theatre.”
Tickets for ‘Head Over Heels’ are on sale now, starting at $55.00-$65.00 for preview performances, and $75.00 for standard Adult tickets. Showtimes include Monday’s at 6:30 PM, Tuesday-Saturday’s at 7:30 PM, and matinee performances on Thursday at 1:00 PM and Saturday at 2:00 PM.
To book, visit Hayes Theatre’s website or call 02 8065 7337.
