Australia: Elvis, ICC Centre Theatre, Thebarton Theatre, New Management ‘Open Door’

Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic still has no name, but has enlisted lead actor 27-year-old Austin Butler, who last year appeared in the Denzel Washington Broadway revival of “The Iceman Cometh.”

But before shooting begins 2020 on the Warner Bros Pictures project, two states have become involved in the production. Filming takes place at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, which Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk secured after a meeting with the filmmaker in London earlier this year. It is expected to employ 900 locals in behind-the-scenes roles, and inject more than A$105 million ($73.7 million) into the local economy. 

Luhrmann said, “Australia continues to be one of the great filmmaking locations in the world, where we’ve created everything from Paris cabarets to the Jazz Age in New York.” Recent high-profile Hollywood movies made in Queensland include “Aquaman” and “Thor: Ragnarök,” the upcoming “Dora the Explorer,” and the 2020 release “Godzilla vs Kong.” 

The New South Wales (NSW) government offered a 10% tax incentive July 11 to finish the project there. It will bring work worth A$35 million ($24.5 million) to Sydney animation, visual effects and post-production companies, said arts minister Don Harwin. The Made In NSW funding has created more than $700 million worth of film and TV content and 20,000 jobs. The 10% incentive is open to filmmakers who spend over $500,000 on post-production in NSW, the latest being Marvel’s first Asian superhero flick Shang-Chi which is shooting in Sydney.

The Luhrmann movie will focus on Presley’s stardom and immense legacy, as well as his relationship with his enigmatic manager Colonel Tom Parker, to be played by Tom Hanks. Those who auditioned for the lead are Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Austin Butler, G-Eazy and Miles Teller.

Sydney’s International Convention Centre’s 8,000-seat theatre is now First State Super Theatre. It follows a 10-year sponsorship deal with the superannuation company, an equity partner of ICC that opened in December 2016. ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy called First State’s increased investment “a clear sign of confidence in our operation and a result of the reputation we’ve built for the venue.” He noted their shared synergies included “our razor sharp focus on building the best possible teams to service our delegates, patrons, members and partners. While we have one of the most magnificent venues in the world, on one of the most spectacular harbors, it is people who ensure successful events and visitor experiences every day at ICC Sydney.” First State Super Theatre’s slate includes The 1975, Elton John, Steve Martin & Martin Short.

A host of international and Australian musicians have joined a grassroots public campaign to prevent the possible destruction of Adelaide’s high profile music venue, the Thebarton Theatre. With 2,000-seats, the renovated 1920s theatre is an automatic draw for mid- to large-sized shows. It is one of 600-1000 buildings that may be demolished to make way for a new road upgrade to the North-South Corridor.  A Change.org petition, targeting 75,000 signatures, reached 54,530 in the first four days. Organisers argue the option of a tunnel will save a row of heritage buildings including the theatre and a neighboring 100-year old church. 

The West Australian government is taking one of the state’s largest builders BGC Construction to Supreme Court. It is over alleged defects found at Perth’s 20,500-capacity sports and entertainment stadium HBF Park, previously nib Stadium. It claims BGC failed to fix problems in the eastern canopy, skylights and glass elements. BGC won the A$95 million ($68.6 million) contract in 2012 to develop the venue, including a covered two-tier grandstand, a new stand, corporate boxes, a 250-seat barbeque terrace and a new playing surface. After the project was finished six years ago, the state opposition demanded an inquiry into the contract. The amount of claimed damages is not known.

In May, the Defqon.1 dance party announced it was not returning in the foreseeable future as it could not find a new venue. Last September after two patrons fatally overdosed, the New South Wales premier she would ensure the event never stage anywhere in the state, and its home of ten years, Sydney International Regatta Centre, withdrew support. However a Facebook event called ‘Defqon 1 We Are Here To Stay’ is calling on “all warriors to reunite” September 14 at the original venue. Meantime, Defqon.1 promoter Q-dance’s Simon Coffey was a witness at the current coroners inquest into half a dozen festival overdoses over summer. He blamed police presence at these events as “intimidating” and called for  widespread on-site pill-testing.

Festival promoter Chris O’Brien and rock band Northlane member and manager Joshua Smith set up new management company Open Door. O’Brien, an artist manager in the ‘90s, was general manager of Soundwave festival and tour head of Destroy All Lines. He said,  “We agreed there was a huge gap in the market for a management company that combined experience from both sides of the industry. We felt that the power needed to be handed back to artists and give them more control over their careers.” The roster includes Introvert, Make Them Suffer, Northlane, Statesidem, Void Of Vision and Windwaker.