STAGES with Peter Eyers

• STAGES Episode 600: VALE TONI LAMOND (29/3/32-29/11-25)

  Toni Lamond has taken her final bow. A legend of Australian Entertainment, she made her mark across many platforms; television, film, theatre, cabaret, recording, concert, author and of course, musical theatre.She takes with her the personas she assumed across a vast career – leaving us with memories of Reno Sweeney, Nancy, Mrs Pearce, Fraulein Schneider, Dolly Gallagher Levi, Mama Rose, Pirate Ruth, Maggie Jones, Hattie Walker, Bea Miles, Babe Williams, Wildcat Jackson, Sally Durant, and a Wardrobe named Madame de le Grande Bouche …. to name but a few. Toni Lamond was a woman of firsts In a time when overseas stars were brought to Australia to lead local productions of Broadway musicals, Toni was first to be given the opportunity to lead an Australian cast, in The Pajama Game. With husband, Frank Sheldon, she was the opening night act on GTV9 as Australian television was finding its feet. She went on to be the first woman to host a tonight show, when filling in for the legendary Graham Kennedy. She’s a descendant of Richard Morgan, one of the First Fleeters, and she even consented to be my very first guest on the STAGES podcast.Today we remember the great ‘Lamond’ and her legacy, by replaying the episode recorded with her in 2019. She had returned to the podcast to mark the 100th episode. It is bittersweet that she returns to mark our 600th episode; but I suspect she’d be chuffed by that, having been there for episode no:1.We are joined by her son Tony Sheldon who shares memories to honour her legacy, and then we hand it over to the Legend herself, to tell it in her own words.Vale Toni Lamond (29/3/32-29/11/25)The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 599: SIMON PARRIS & IAN PHIPPS -WEST END ROUND-UP

  STAGES is joined by show pilgrims Simon Parris and Ian Phipps for a West End round-up of the musicals, plays and events they experienced on recent visits to London theatre.Simon Parris is a Melbourne reviewer, and his appraisals of theatre locally, nationally and abroad can be found at simonparrismaninchair.com. Ian Phipps is one of Australia’s leading publicists who ensures that we are informed of the latest entertainment offerings playing around the country.It’s always a joy to welcome them back to the STAGES podcast to appraise the theatre they have seen and recommend to us what we might pursue, should we be in any of the theatre precincts abroad.Sit back and engage with the three of us as we investigate what’s currently on offer in London’s West End.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 598: MICHAEL DALTON & DOLLY DIAMOND

  Today on STAGES, we’re rolling out the red carpet for a truly dazzling double act — Michael Dalton and his fabulous alter ego, Dolly Diamond. Michael’s story begins in the West End at just ten years old, playing the title role in Oliver! — and from there, he’s conquered television screens, international tours, and cabaret stages.After immigrating to Australia in the 1980s, Michael appeared on television in popular series including Neighbours and The Henderson Kids.Michael has a long association with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, performing in the production’s tours across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. He later toured internationally as a backup singer for Julian Clary and joined Richard O’Brien in Disgracefully Yours at the Edinburgh Festival.Michael has built a rich career as a solo performer, appearing in venues around the world such as Oscar Wilde’s (New York), Madame Jo Jo’s (London) and Code (Copenhagen). He also appeared in the West End production of Naked Boys Singing.Then came Dolly… the sequined sensation who’s become a fabulous fixture of the nation’s cultural landscape. She’s an ambassador, a host, a festival favourite — lighting up stages from Melbourne to Edinburgh with wit, warmth, and a wicked sense of fun. Dolly Diamond is one of Australia’s most beloved entertainment personalities. Originally from the UK, Dolly proudly made Australia her home in 2009 and has since become a vibrant fixture on the nation’s cultural and cabaret scene.Michael and Dolly are woven into the cultural fabric of Melbourne. Through countless performances and charitable contributions, they have supported and uplifted LGBTIQA+ communities and not-for-profit organisations for decades.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 597: SUSAN-ANN WALKER

  Susan-ann Walker is one of Australia’s favourite character Performers known for her work in Musicals, Plays, Opera, Cabaret and TV for over 35 years.Professional Music Theatre credits include 3 LITTLE PIGS (“Mother pig” AG productions 2025), THE WEDDING SINGER (“Rosie” David Venn productions 2021-2022), SWEENEY TODD (“Mrs Lovett” cover, LifeLike productions 2018), FUNNY GIRL (“Mrs Strakosh” The Production Co 2015), ONCE (“Barushka” Green Room Award for Best Ensemble GFO/MTC 2014-2015), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (“Gymnasia” GFO 2012), XANADU (“Calliope/Aphrodite” Mark Pennell 2011), HELLO DOLLY (“Dolly Levi” Magnormous 2010), MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL (“Earth Mother” Jim McPherson 2005-2007), MAME (“Agnes Gooch” The Production Co), PINOCCHIO (‘Catch-up” Garry Ginivan productions 2001) THE SOUND OF MUSIC (“Sister Margaretta ”GFO/SEL 1999-2001), POSSUM MAGIC (“Grandma Poss” Garry Ginivan 1997), GREASE-THE ARENA SPECTACULAR (“Jan” GFO/SEL 1998), THE SECRET GARDEN (“Martha” GFO 1996), ASPECTS OF LOVE (“Elizabeth” R.U.C 1992), GODSPELL (Sydney Opera House 1992), LES MISERABLES (Cameron Macintosh 1990-1991) and CATS (“Jenny-any-dots” Cameron Macintosh and RUC 1989, 1994-1995)Susan-ann performed as an actor/musician in THE ISHMAEL CLUB as “Mrs Maggia” for Playbox as well as in ONCE in 2014 directed by John Tiffany (Tony award for ONCE)Early Opera credits include THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARRINER “Pilot/Life in Death” VSO Youth Company, “Princess Icky-Poo” in THE DRAGON AND The MANDARIN (VSO School’s Co) and CARMEN (VSO).Cabarets includes ,DESPERATELY SINGING SUSAN, JACQUES BREL (Green Room Award for Best Cabaret 2000), TRAGEDY, PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC, CONFESSIONS OF A SEX KITTEN ,YUMMY, THE YUMMY BURLESQUE HOUR (Green Room Nomination for Best original songs), SUBTLE, TOM FOOLERY, NOT QUITE RIGHT, BIN GODDESS and in 2023, OUR NAUGHTY BITS.TV credits include “Marlene” in GOLD DIGGERS (ABC 2023), BLUE HEELERS, MDA, WINNERS AND LOSERS, DR BLAKE, MS FISHER’S MOD, and MOONMAN Susan-ann also originated and directed the Cabaret Project in 2003 at Federation University and in 2010 at PSA. She also has worked at the COLLEGE OF THE ARTS and in both the Classical and Contemporary departments of Monash University.She runs her own Singing Teaching/Vocal Health studio THE VOICE PLACE and is currently working on her first full-length play with music, UKULELE JOY, after she was the recipient of 3 grants in 2024The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 596: LOUISE FISCHER

  Louise Fischer has an MA in Theatre Studies from UNSW and is celebrating her twentieth year as Artistic Director of New Theatre; an independent company who staged their first production in 1933. The theatre has mounted some 550 productions, and is one of Australia’s oldest continuously producing theatres, moving from Pitt Street to Castlereagh Street and then to Kings Cross, until finally settling in its current home on King Street Newtown in 1973.Louise’s directing credits at New Theatre include: Ink, The Ballad of Maria Marten, Chimerica, Glengarry Glen Ross, Neighbourhood Watch, The Grapes of Wrath, August: Osage County, Australia Day, House of Games, Mother Clap’s Molly House, Enron, The Farnsworth Invention, The Crucible (which transferred to a sellout season at the Seymour Centre), Cabaret, Brand Spanking New, Honeymoon Suite, Richard III, Dancing at Lughnasa, Lemon Delicious and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. New Theatre was set up in 1932 as the Sydney Workers Art Club, opening with the slogan “Art is a Weapon”. The first full-scale production in 1933 was The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. It has produced plays on important political and human rights issues.Louise’s other directing credits include: The God Botherers (Darlinghurst Theatre); Stories from the 428 (Sidetrack Theatre); Macbeth.com (Lighthouse Theatre); Project SciFi (PACT); Birthdays, Christmas & Other Family Disasters (Tunks Productions); Bedtime for Bastards (Crypt Theatre); Roadkill (Short + Sweet); The Curious Pain of Louis XIV (Seymour Centre) and Hamlet (Harlos Productions).Louise is presently in final rehearsals with Noel Coward’s Present Laughter; a production that takes to the stage from November 11th to December 13th at Sydney’s iconic New Theatre. She joins STAGES to discuss her journey as a theatre maker, the iconic New Theatre and her role as Artistic Director.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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