It was announced today that RGM Productions- spearheaded by Australian producers Garry McQuinn and his partner Rina Gill will join forces with the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Destination NSW to bring director Gillian Armstrong’s iconic 1982 comedy drama STARSTRUCK vibrantly to  life on stage.

Set in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge the film was written by Stephen MacLean, designed by Brian Thomson and featured an uplifting, catchy soundtrack including Body and Soul by Tim Finn, the title song  Starstruck by Phil Judd and The Monkey in Me! by Dennis Nattrass.

McQuinn said, “STARSTRUCK is an Australian fairytale, a wonderfully naive film with a ‘dare to dream’ message. It is a neglected classic, people forget how original and influential the film was. Jackie Mullen strutting across the Sydney Opera House’s stage with her punk hair in her neon-lit tutu, tiara and gloves, anticipated Madonna’s Like A Virgin by two years.

The production will be a collaboration between the student and teachers of NIDA and some of Australia’s most talented and experienced theatre makers.

The book of the musical has been written by Mitchell Butel one of Australia’s best known actors and musical theatre stars.The production will be directed by Simon Phillips with design by Brian Thomsen and choreography by Andrew Hallsworth. It will showcase NIDA’s graduating class of 2019 and will premiere at the Parade Theatre late next year.

“It will bean exciting adventure to see this warm hearted little Australian film take shape on the stage. The story about a couple of self invented Aussie kids trying to save their family pub is full of joy and adolescent energy, and NIDA feels like the perfect place to road test its charms’ Simon Phillips said.

http://www.rqmproductions.co.uk

All pics by ben . Apfelbaum