“Only in Sydney”! “Exclusive to Melbourne”! You’ve heard it before, haven’t you?
Often these are the slogans which theatre audiences are apprehensive about believing because many major musicals end up touring the country anyway.
(Let’s not forget that the show’s financial success in its initial city often determines whether it tours or not, so bringing interstate revenue is an important factor in the show’s ability to tour … but that’s another column).
However, in the case of Global Creatures’ King Kong which is currently playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, their catch phrase IS true. That ape is not going ANYWHERE else in Australia – anyone involved with the project has said as much to anyone who has asked for the last two years.
And they are STILL telling people. Yesterday, the team at King Kong launched the campaign
“Melbourne Only Or Your Money Back“
Global Creatures has undertaken to refund the cost of travel, ticket and accommodation for any interstate ticket buyers if the production of King Kong, currently in performance at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, plays in any other Australian city before it heads overseas for international engagements:
“This covers not only the ticket buyer, but any other people included in the ticket buyer’s group who live outside of Victoria” they said on their website.
“Ticket buyers should keep a record of KING KONG seat number and performance date, as well as all travel and accommodation receipts.”
I think this is a fairly good indication that the show isn’t going to tour. The ‘bowels’ of the Regent Theatre have been adapted and modified extensively to accommodate all of the equipment needed to control this incredible larger-than-life sized animatronic puppet.
In my experience, if a company are offering you money back for any reason, they are generally pretty sure they won’t have to fork out.
So if you are holding out hope that the big, beautiful beast will be travelling to a capital city near you, I suggest you let it go.
The show will travel, absolutely, but not in the land of Oz.
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If they were really honest, they'd tell interstate travelers not to bother seeing the show. It's awful.
You're insane. Amazing doesn't begin to describe it!!
This is great news! Was waiting for it to come to Sydney but definitely booking to see it now!
Glad I've got my tickets for Melbourne! SO excited!
Saw it in Melbourne last week. Absolutely amazing show! Sydney-siders, jump on a plane and see it!
I'm flying back down next week to see it again, loved it!!
I'm flying down to Melbourne especially to see it in 4 weeks time - Cannot wait!
What a Tour De Force the show is brilliant...although some work needs to be done on the flow of the script to provide more clarity re the story . I am sure this tightening up will be completed before its OS debut. Songs are great , performers are at the top of their game. There are many memorable moments ...and the beast what can I say this is a game changer in theatre..Will I see it again....you bet...will I tell me friends to see it you bet..
Alan