29 July 2010 After yesterday's "media call", when the full cast in costume performed three big numbers from the show exclusively for the Australian media, Mary Poppins officially opens in Melbourne today - followed by a lavish London-themed after-show party. On behalf of the PQG Team a huge "break a leg" to all the cast & crew! Keep checking the PQG in the next hours & days to read the very first reviews and catch some more glimpses of the show. 28 July 2010 Many thanks to Gregor for finding the first released photo of Philip Quast and Marina Prior as Mr & Mrs Banks, which you will find on our Mary Poppins Page. Other updates of note: the link to a Mary Poppins Media Call featuring a few other pictures from the production (thanks to Heidi for providing the link) as well as various links to recent news items in the Australian media. 25 July 2010 A proportion of all funds raised from the performances of Mary Poppins last Saturday 24 July will support The Koala Foundation (Kids Oncology and Leukaemia Action Group). The cast of the show is also going to provide the early entertainment at The Million Dollar Lunch annual charity event in support of the Foundation at Crown Casino on 30 July. 24 July 2010 The latest news update from Her Majesty's Theatre reports that "the 'House Full' sign has already made several appearances" over the past couple of weeks. "Audiences were simply enchanted as the characters they knew and songs they loved were transformed into magic, live on stage." Read more 21 July 2010 Very short video coverage by Australian TEN Network featuring the Australian Tourism Minister on a visit backstage at Mary Poppins. Sir Cameron Mackintosh and some lead members of the cast, including Philip Quast, appear too for a few seconds.

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19 July 2010
Find on our Mary Poppins page a rare picture of Philip Quast during rehearsals - yes, the moustache is back! The first ever official review of the show, a rather positive one, has also been released (find the link on the same MP page).

18 July 2010
While waiting for the the official opening of Mary Poppins, don't forget to catch up with several articles and interviews with the cast and creative team that are being published these days in the Australian media. Find all the useful links on the Articles & Interviews Page.

15 July 2010
The Australian blog The Mystery in Musicals reports that yesterday's sold-out first preview of Mary Poppins "went off without a hitch, leaving audiences spellbound". The full cast, including the 5 couples of children who are going to share the roles of Jane & Michael Banks, has also been disclosed.

14 July 2010
Mary Poppins begins previews at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne today. The PQG send their best wishes to the cast and crew for a great preview run, leading to a triumphant opening night on 29 July. Keep checking this website for updates over the next few days.

13 July 2010
Watch an effervescent 5-min videoclip of the rehearsals of the 'Supercalifragilistic...' number on the official website of the Melbourne Press Club, where the author of the musical's script, Julian Fellowes, is going to give a lecture later this month.

12 July 2010
Official Mary Poppins merchandise, including adult & kids T-shirts, gift items, books, etc. can now be ordered online via Playbill Australia, with the possibility of overseas shipping (allow 2-4 weeks for delivery). The programme and souvenir brochures will be available from 29 July.

5 July 2010
The official Night of 1000 Voices website has now been updated with a Photo Gallery of last May's Tenth Anniversary performance. If you wish to buy any of the photos you can contact the photographer Chris Christodoulou. Thanks to Gregor for the alert!

26 June 2010
The cast and crew of Mary Poppins have now moved downtown to Her Majesty's Theatre for their final days of rehearsals before the show's first preview on 14 July. Booking has now extended to 17 October 2010 and will be extended further early next month. The Melbourne run is expected to continue at least until February 2011.

15 June 2010
It's exactly one month until the first preview of Mary Poppins in Melbourne and things are starting to get hectic at Her Majesty's theatre. 150 tonnes of sets, lights and speakers have arrived at the premises and are being set in place for next month's opening. The cast too are well into their rehearsals in South Melbourne, getting ready for director Richard Eyre's arrival later this month. Read the full update on the News page of Her Majesty's Theatre website.

7 June 2010
First media call for the cast of Mary Poppins in Melbourne. Find a short video coverage of the show's rehearsals, with interviews to Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) and Matt Lee (Bert) published in the online version of The Age.

26 May 2010
Rehearsals for Mary Poppins got under way this week in Melbourne. Best wishes to the whole cast & crew for the most productive and rewarding weeks until the show's first preview on 14 July.

24 April 2010
The Stage newspaper is currently running a competition to win 5 pairs of tickets for the matinée performance of The Night of 1000 Voices, 4pm, Sunday 2 May 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall. Read the terms and conditions and enter the competition via this link. The Stage also offers a £5 discount on Circle tickets (details on the same page). Thanks to darkmagician for the alert.

17 April 2010
The Australian production of Mary Poppins has just extended its booking period in Melbourne. Tickets to performances up to Sunday 10 October can now be purchased through Ticketek. Check also a new promotional video (related to the US touring production starring "Old Friend" Caroline Sheen) on the International Mary Poppins website.

16 April 2010
The Official The Devil's Double website has now been updated with a full synopsis, some basic cast & crew info and a small photo gallery. Shooting in Malta has now finished and the post-production phase has begun, with a view to the film's release in early 2011.

15 April 2010
In an interview published on the Public Reviews website the director of the Night of 1000 Voices concerts Hugh Wooldridge described Philip Quast as "the Champion of Sondheim" and announced that Quast will be giving a "personal salute" to the American composer at the concerts next month.

9 March 2010
The performer who will play the role of Mary Poppins in the forthcoming Melbourne production has finally been disclosed: her name is Verity Hunt-Ballard, a 28yo musical actress from Adelaide who has already worked in several Australian productions. Read an article about this final casting here.

19 February 2010
If it's true that the ABC iView facility is only available to viewers based in Australia, you can currently watch the entire episode 1 of Bed of Roses on the series' official website at this link. Series 2 will be released on DVD (Region 4) on 1st April 2010 and can already be pre-ordered from various online merchants (see Shopping Page for details).

12 February 2010 UPDATED
TV alert for people based in the UK: Clubland is going to be screened next Monday 15 February at 1.10pm on Sky Screen2 (thanks to Darkmagician for the info).

11 February 2010
Philip Quast will play Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein in The Devil's Double, a psychological action thriller based on the true story of the man who was forced to live as the double of the dictator's son, Uday Hussein. The movie, directed by Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day), is currently being filmed in Malta and will be released worldwide later this year.

10 February 2010
A revamped Bed of Roses website is now available on the ABC Australia portal. Enjoy exploring the various sections, especially a lovely 5-min interview with Philip Quast.

9 February 2010
Booking has now opened for the matinée performance of the Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall on 2nd May.

5 February 2010
Check our Night of 1000 Voices Page for an updated list of guest stars who will perform at the Royal Albert Hall in May. The evening will be hosted by Aled Jones. A matinée performance at 4pm has also been announced, though booking has not opened yet.

3 February 2010
The episode "The Wench is Dead" from the crime series Inspector Morse, which features Philip Quast as Dr Benfield, will be available online via ITVplayer until the end of February. Please note that this service is only available to people based in the UK. (Many thanks to darkmagician for the alert).

24 January 2010
A reminder regarding today's first episode of The Honourable Schoolboy to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 3pm (UK time). You can listen to the broadcast online today live or in the course of next week.

18 January 2010
The 8 episodes of Series 2 of Bed of Roses will be screened in Australia on the ABC 1 channel starting from Saturday 13 February 2010.

23 November 2009
The 8 episodes of Series 2 of Bed of Roses will be screened in South Africa on Channel 110 by pay television operator DStv starting from tomorrow 24 November 2009 (on Tuesdays, 7pm, until 12 January 2010). No date has been set yet for the screening of the new series in Australia, but ABC are expecting it will be broadcast early in 2010. Read here an introduction to the new episodes.

20 November 2009
Philip Quast is going to play the role of an Australian journalist in a BBC radio adaptation of John le Carré's novel The Honourable Schoolboy, to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in late January / early February 2010. The programme will be available online live and for one week after its first broadcast, plus a BBC Audiobook CD will be released shortly after. (Many thanks to Philip Quast for the info).

17 November 2009
Philip Quast has been cast to play the role of George Banks in the new Australian production of Mary Poppins, opening in Melbourne in July 2010. The star-studded cast, which was announced in Los Angeles last week by producer Cameron Mackintosh, also includes Marina Prior, Judi Connelli and Debra Byrne. The role of Mary has not been cast yet. Read the official Press Release and some news articles in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

3rd November 2009
Philip Quast will be in the lineup of West End stars appearing in next year's Night of 1000 Voices concert, taking place on Sunday 2nd May 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The event will celebrate its 10th birthday, the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim and the 50th Anniversary of Leukaemia Research. More info and booking details on the Royal Albert Hall website.

28 October 2009
The Masterclass originally scheduled for Friday 30 October has been postponed by one week. Here's a note from Masterclass TRH:
"Due to unforeseen circumstances pertaining to the current production at the Haymarket, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, we have had to postpone this Friday’s event. Philip is extremely busy but has been kind enough to reschedule at short notice and has agreed to give his Masterclass on Friday 6 November at 2.30pm." Previous bookings are still valid for this new date. If you can no longer attend please email Masterclass TRH as soon as possible.

22 October 2009
Philip Quast will be giving a Masterclass on Friday 30 October 2009 (at 2.30pm, approx length: 2hs) at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. The event will feature six young theatre professionals (aged 17-30) and a non-participating audience. Full details about the event and how to apply for either category can be found on the Masterclass website (please note that the closing date for applications for professionals is Friday 23 October).

The event is free for people aged 17-30 while older members of the audience will be requested to pay a minimum fee of £10 at the door. Advance booking is necessary through the Masterclass website. (Many thanks to Emily Gallagher for her precious cooperation and kindness).

22 September 2009 (updated)
Philip Quast is going to be featured in a radio drama to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 next Sunday 27 September 2009 (at 8pm). He will play the character of Don Prowse, a foreman, in an adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner Patrick White's novel The Twyborn Affair. The programme will be available online live and for one week after its first broadcast on the BBC "Drama on 3" website. (Huge thanks to Emma for her alert!).

12 September 2009
Today marks the end of the current cast's run at the Playhouse Theatre. The PQG wishes all the performers and crew a glorious final day, with lots of thanks also on behalf of its readers for a hugely entertaining season.

23 July 2009
It has now been officially announced that the current cast of La Cage aux Folles will perform their last show on 12 September 2009. From 14 September 2009 John Barrowman and Simon Burke will take over the role of Albin and Georges, respectively.

27 June 2009
Don't miss yet another delightful 15-min audio interview with Philip Quast and Roger Allam, this time by Alex Belfield of CelebrityRadio.co.uk. Don't we just love the Internet? (Many thanks to Gregor for the alert!).

24 June 2009
A few great links have become available on The Net today for your surfing pleasure. First of all, check out two features related to the two talented leads in La Cage aux Folles: a joint interview with Philip Quast and Roger Allam by BroadwayWorld.com blogger Carrie Dunn and an interview with Roger Allam by Matt Wolf on Broadway.com.
Last, but by no means least, the lovely Elizabeth Richardson from Lifegames Photography has kept her promise and published a few extra photos taken on the set of the new Australian series Bed of Roses earlier this year, some of which are quite unmissable!

17 June 2009
Don't miss the latest show feature on TotallyTheatre.com, where cast member Leanne Harwood presents a 4-minute video about the show, including short interviews with Philip Quast and Roger Allam (thanks to Gregor for the alert!).
Sadly another promising link on that page, "Philip Quast Interview" (conducted at the Shop with the Stars event at Dress Circle last May), is currently available for subscribers only. But keep checking the page, you might be in for a pleasant surprise in the near future.

15 June 2009
The provisional schedule for next weekend's free West End Live showcase in London's Leicester Square has now been posted, with the suggestion that there will be a La Cage Aux Folles item around 17:45 to 17:55 on the first day, Saturday 20 June. Thanks to Gregor for the alert!

10 June 2009
Hats off to Whatsonstage for organising a thrilling evening and Q&A session yesterday at the Playhouse Theatre and obviously many thanks to the performers involved for giving their time after the show. Read a short introduction here and don't miss the FULL RECORDING of the Q&A on WOS Radio. More details and photos coming soon.

5 June 2009
Just a little warning to all those who have enquired about Philip Quast's last show at The Playhouse: the extension of his contract to 12 September has not yet been finalized, despite the note appearing at the theatre's Box Office. We apologize for the confusion caused and will publish further updates as soon as we get them.

26 May 2009
MusicalTalk, "the UK's independent musical theatre podcast", features La Cage aux Folles in its #136 episode. The one-hour podcast explores the different aspects of the show and includes a fantastic 25-min interview with Philip Quast and Roger Allam and also some comments by Jerry Herman. Don't miss this little gem, which can also be saved (in mp3 format) via this link. Many thanks to Nick for his cooperation!

25 May 2009
A new Photo Gallery has been published on Wooller.com, marking Sir Ian McKellen's 70th Birthday celebration with the cast of La Cage aux Folles. Thanks to DeeJay for the link!

24 May 2009
Another TV alert for our friends in the UK: the Inspector Morse episode 'The Wench is Dead' featuring PQ as Doctor Benfield is going to be screened on ITV 3 today 24 May at 12.00 and tomorrow 25 May at 6.00am and 11.30pm. Thanks to Supposedly for the alert!

23 May 2009
A detailed account of the Shop with the Stars event at Dress Circle last week is now available on Louise Gold's website (thanks Emma, you are amazing!).
Also: an official video of the event can be viewed at TotallyTheatre.com. Sadly the interviews with the single stars (including Philip Quast) are only available to paying members.

22 May 2009
The Playhouse Box Office has confirmed that Philip Quast and Roger Allam have extended their contracts until September. Their final show will now be on Saturday 12 September 2009, instead of the previously announced date of 26 August 2009. From 14 September John Barrowman will take over the role of Albin.

18 May 2009
TV alert for our friends in the UK: the two-part episode 'Death's Door' from the Silent Witness series is going to be screened on the Alibi digital channel this Wednesday 20th May from 9pm until 11pm. Both halves are being shown concurrently so it's an excellent opportunity for anyone who can receive the channel to record the entire thing at one go. Thanks to R. for the alert!

17 May 2009
The 2009 edition of the Shop with the Stars event at the Dress Circle Theatre Shop in London was once again a sweeping success. Full report coming up soon, but in the meantime enjoy a fantastic photo gallery featuring Philip Quast having a great time behind the DC counter. Once again, huge thanks to our two very "special envoys" Phoebe & Freddie!!

16 May 2009
The website LondonTheatreCast ("Your fortnightly guide to everything happening in London's theatre land") has just published its May podcast featuring an exclusive interview with "the new boys" Roger Allam and Philip Quast. You can listen to the interview at this link and download the full podcast programme via iTunes. Enjoy!!

15 May 2009
A promotional video of the new cast of La Cage aux Folles, featuring short interviews with Quast and Allam and a few clips from the opening night, is now available on the Broadway World West End website (thanks to R for the alert!).

13 May 2009
For the second year round Philip Quast is going to be among the West End artists taking part in the Shop with the Stars event at the Dress Circle Theatre Shop in London. The event, organized in aid of the Theatrical Guild, will take place this Saturday 16 May between 10.30am and 6pm at Dress Circle in Central London. Visit the Dress Circle website for the full list of participating artists (all subject to availability) and directions to the shop (thanks to Gregor for the update!).

12 May 2009
According to some early reports yesterday's Cage aux Folles Press Night was an all-round success. This morning the first online reviews are already starting to appear on various press portals. Find all the links on our Press Page.
Also: don't miss some lovely shots taken at the curtain calls and at the after-show party, available at this link.

11 May 2009
La Cage aux Folles will have a new Press Night tonight at the Playhouse Theatre. Stay tuned to the PQG from tomorrow to read the reviews from the British press and other media.

8 May 2009
The first production photos of the new cast are starting to circulate (see right). Other official photos can be found on BroadwayWorld.com (many thanks to Marius for the link!).

5 May 2009
The first performance of the new cast of La Cage aux Folles yesterday at the Playhouse Theatre was a huge success. Many many thanks to DL for sharing the photos she took at the end of the performance.

4 May 2009
Philip Quast and Roger Allam take over today the roles of Georges and Albin, respectively, in the West End production of La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre, with a new press night on 11 May. Their contracts run until 26 August 2009.

30 April 2009
The theatre website Whatsonstage.com has now opened to the general public its La Cage aux Folles Outing on 9 June 2009, originally only available to Whatsonstage Theatre Club members. The £42.50 package includes a top-price ticket for the show + programme + drink + post-show Q&A with the cast (NB: attendance of specific performers cannot be guaranteed). Click here to book online.

29 March 2009
Due to continuing filming commitments for Bed of Roses, Philip Quast was sadly unable to appear in the West End's Sunday Best benefit concert in aid of the British Red Cross Australian Bushfires Appeal.

Tickets (35£ - 60£) are now available through Seetickets online or by phoning 0844 412 4657.

11 March 2009
Philip Quast will rejoin La Cage Aux Folles, as Georges, at the Playhouse Theatre from Monday 4 May 2009, with a new press night on Monday 11 May 2009. He will be joined by Roger Allam, who makes his debut as Albin. Allam and Quast are contracted to appear in the show to 26 August 2009. Tickets for their dates go on sale on 16 March 2009.
Read the Press Releases on Whatsonstage, London Theatre Guide, The Stage, Official London Theatre Guide & Playbill.

28 February 2009
The Australian weekly Tamworth City News reports that "the Philip Quast and Friends show at the new Capitol Theatre on Saturday, February 21 was a sellout and the capacity audience was treated to a stunning show from the former hometown boy". Read more about the event on our new PQG page. Many thanks to Jon Wolfe of TCN for his precious assistance.

21 February 2009
Philip Quast is going to perform tonight in a one-off concert at the Capitol Theatre, Tamworth, Australia, presented by the Rotary Club of Tamworth West. The event "An evening with Philip Quast and Friends" also features the John Muller Band and is a fundraiser for the charity organization Youth Insearch. We will keep you posted if any coverage appears on the local press or if any PQGers in the area send their report.

29 January 2009
Philip Quast has recently held a series of Masterclasses in New York, including one titled "Screen, Shakespeare, Song" for the Tisch New Theatre Club (New York University). Find here an exciting blog entry by one of the attending students. Many thanks to Jill for her green light and cooperation!

1st January 2009
Happy 2009 from the PQG Team!

For earlier news check out the News Archive Page