Logie winner takes to the stage

One of Australia’s most charismatic young talents, Hugh Sheridan, will make his Sydney Opera House debut with a musical tribute to the showbiz legend Anthony Newley.

After a triumphant sold-out season at last year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the dual Silver Logie Award winner returns to the stage withNewley Discovered.

Best known from Channel 7’s Packed to the Rafters, Sheridan is a triple threat who won the role of Ben Rafter during his final year at the National Institute of the Dramatic Art (NIDA).

Accompanied by a trio of musicians, Sheridan pays homage to Newley in a celebration of a life perhaps less known that it should be.

Sheridan tells the story of Newley’s miserable East End childhood to his high life in the United States in between performing some of the mega-ballads that became signature hits for Sammy Davies Jr, Shirley Bassey and Tony Bennett.

From child star to Las Vegas legend, Newley was a typically tragic romantic hero who banked an amazing body of work.

Described as a male, British Edith Piaf for his heart-on-the-sleeve delivery, underdog attitude, and music-hall charisma, Newley scaled the heights of fame and fortune but was often plagued by personal demons.

He might be best remembered as Mr Joan Collins but Newley was a composer, author, director and leading man who wrote and sang some classic show tunes and pop songs.

He starred in Doctor Doolittle and co-wrote the hit musicals Stop The World – I Want To Get Off, The Roar Of The Greasepaint – The Smell Of The Crowd and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as well as a number of best-selling singles including ‘What Kind Of Fool Am I?’, ‘The Candy Man’ and ‘Goldfinger’.

Commissioned by Adelaide Cabaret Festival and developed by Dean Bryant, Phil Scott and David Campbell, Newley Discovered is written and directed by Dean Bryant with musical direction by Nigel Ubrihien.

The show is at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House from June 16-21. Bookings: (02) 9250 7777 or www.sydneyoperahouse.com