First glimpse of Grantley and Anu in South Pacific, Brisbane

Opera Australia’s Australian tour of South Pacific begins previews tonight at Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre QPAC with two new cast members in leading roles.

Australian songstress Christine Anu and actor Gyton Grantley will perform for the first time this evening as Bloody Mary and Luther Billis in director Bartlett Sher’s acclaimed production, which was originally staged at the Lincoln Centre in New York, 2008.

Sher has made the long journey Down Under to work with the company ahead of tonight’s preview, and will stay in Brisbane with his young daughter until after Opening Night next week. Addressing the media this morning, Sher hailed the Australian company as the “best ever” cast assembled for the production around the world.

South Pacific also stars Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Emile de Becque, Lisa McCune as Nellie Forbush and Daniel Koek as Lt Joseph Cable. The musical will play at the Lyric Theatre QPAC until January 27 and is scheduled for a return season at Sydney Opera House from September 2013.

Visit SouthPacificMusical.com.au for ticket information and cast biographies.