The Hosts
Rhonda Burchmore - Boyka
From television to the big screen, musical theatre to opera, cabaret to the stage, there are few entertainment mediums that multi award winning Rhonda Burchmore has not embraced with her wide ranging talents. She has starred in Sugar Babies opposite Garry McDonald and Broadway legend Eddie Bracken and in 1988 repeated her performance on the West End with co-stars Mickey Rooney and Anne Miller. Whilst in the U.K. Rhonda also starred with Anthony Newley in the revival of Stop The World I Want To Get Off. Other stage credits include Song And Dance, They’re Playing Our Song, Lend Me A Tenor, Iolanthe, Die Fledermaus, An Evening With Sondheim, and the title role of Annie in Annie Get Your Gun. David Atkins featured Rhonda in his 1987 hit Dancin’ Man, and then went on to write a role specifically for her in his tap musical, Hot Shoe Shuffle. She has also starred in Aladdin, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods and the 2000 and 2008 production by The Production Company of Mame. She has also played lead roles in Urinetown, Tomfoolery, RESPECT The Musical Journey of Women and she will forever be remembered for her Green Room nominated role of Tanya in Mamma Mia. Rhonda has released 4 albums, performed for President Clinton, sung the National Anthem at the Emirates Melbourne Cup and the Australian Grand Prix and was the entertainment ambassador the Australians at the 2004 Greek Paralympics. Rhonda is currently touring Australia in the hit Calendar Girls
Glynn Nicholas - Sergei
Glynn Nicholas began his performing career as a busker traveling the world and other places and winning numerous national and international competitions. As a stage performer his one-person and ensemble shows have received outstanding acclaim and have covered a vast array of performance styles including theatre, musicals, cabaret, open-air events, festivals, concerts, vaudeville, radio, and fillum. He has appeared on national television in numerous shows including his own series and is in demand in the corporate sector as MC, comedian and a character actor. He’s an accomplished guitarist, songwriter and he can teach you how to do a mime wall with a 5 year warranty. Glynn is Chairman of the Board of Big hART, an Australian National award-winning organisation working to re-engage marginalised communities & individuals through arts-based projects. http://www.bighart.org/
Special Guests
Colin Lane (Ireland)
Best known as one half of Australia’s favourite comedy double act, Lano and Woodley, Colin Lane has earned the adulation of critics and audiences alike. In almost twenty years together Lano & Woodley won the coveted Perrier Award for best show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, starred in their own television series and toured sold out shows across the country. Sadly they are no longer, after saying ‘Goodbye’ in 2006 with a national tour that took in 34 markets and sold more than 125,000 tickets. Since the farewell tour, Colin has appeared in Don's Party for the Melbourne Theatre Company, followed by a season with the Sydney Theatre Company. He presented Wine Me, Dine Me and Kings of Comedy for the Nine Network and has made numerous appearances on ABC TV's Spicks and Specks and Channel 10's Good News Week. Most recently he appeared at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Two For The Road: The Music of Movie Maestro Henri Mancini and in Essgee Productions The Mikado as Pooh Bar at QPAC.
Wilbur Wilde (Ireland)
Wilbur Wilde is an Australian saxophonist rising to prominence with the bands Ol’ 55, and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons. He is most famous for appearing as part of the house band on Hey Hey It’s Saturday (1984 - 1999), alongside Red Symons. His music credits includeworking alongside Elvis Costello, Garth Brooks, Tom Jones, Split Enz, Roy Orbison, Cold Chisel, Dire Straits, James Morrison and Renee Geyer, Joe Camilleri, Glenn Shorrock, Dragon, Billy Thorpe, James Reyne, The Sports, Paul Kelly, The Sweet, Vince Jones, Tiny Tim, Brian Cadd, Nick Lowe, Ritchie Cole, LRB and John English. Television credits include Countdown, The Fast Lane, The Flying Doctors, ABC Jazz Series, The Paul Hogan Show, Live at The Basement and Spicks and Specks. Film credits include Coolangatta Gold (’83). Jenny Kissed Me (’86). Dead End Drive-in (’86). Mad Max (’79). Cool Change (’86), The Bit Part (87) and Star Struck (’82).
Glenn Shorrock (Ireland)
Glenn Shorrock is an Australian rock icon and the legendary voice of the Little River Band. With a career spanning over 40 years, he is a self-confessed child of rock’n’roll. Breaking into the lucrative United States market in 1976, what began was a string of eight Top Ten hits in the USA and around the world, selling in excess of 25 million albums. His song writing credits include “Help is on its Way”, “Home on Monday”, "Shut Down Turn Off” and “Cool Change”. Glenn’s credentials extend to all fields of show business, notably in theatre and cabaret. He starred in Evita, Grease: The Arena Spectacular! and The Rocky Horror Show, in addition to his own productions: One for the Money, Go Cat Go and Two Up. As testament to this internationally recognised singer, he has twice been inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame (in 1991 in his own right and again in 2004 for Little River Band.)
The Cast
Zoe Ventoura (Greece - lead, Iceland)
Zoe is best known to television audiences for her current role as Melissa Bannon in Channel 7’s hit series, Packed to the Rafters. Prior to Rafters, Zoe was nominated for two Logies in 2008 for her lead role as Miki Mavros in the SBS Comedy Series, Kick, which she represented in Italy when it was selected to screen at the prestigious Roma Fiction Fest. Zoe grew up in Perth before moving to Melbourne to study Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts. After graduating, she danced in several seasons with Opera Australia, as well as working commercially with some of Australia's top choreographers. As a singer, actor and dancer she has performed roles in nationally touring musicals such as Oh! What A Night, Footloose, We Will Rock You, Debbie Does Dallas-The Musical, Grease-The Arena Spectacular and Eurobeat, before focusing on acting and moving into film and television. Zoe had a great time representing Greece in Eurobeat last time round, and is thrilled to be able to reprise her role during this year’s production break for Packed to the Rafters.
Liz Buchanan (Iceland - Lead, Germany, Hungary)
Liz has performed extensively as a vocalist for bands, a capella groups, cabarets and in musical theatre. Recent roles include Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Oscar Theatre Co), MC and performer for Women in Voice 17 (Optus Playhouse 2008), Rae in Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls (La Boite Theatre) and Tallulah in the cabaret reading of Siren’s Kiss (Judith Wright Centre). Other performances include Red Cap, The Year Nick McGowan Came To Stay and David Williamson’s Operator (La Boite Theatre), Sherwoodstock and Phantoad of the Opera (Toadshow/QPAC), and Grusha in Caucasian Chalk Circle (HRTC). Recent band performances of her original music include QMF Spiegeltent and Brisbane Cabaret Festival (supporting Caroline O’Connor at the Powerhouse Theatre). She is currently working on Megan Shorey’s new musical for women - Handle With Care, which will be produced at the Judith Wright Centre in 2010. TV credits include Sea Patrol, H2O Just Add Water, Mortified, Monarch Cove, The Sleepover Club, Fat Cow Motel and many more. Liz is also in demand as a voice-over artist and has appeared in numerous TV commercials. She voiced multiple characters for the CGI animated Farmkids international children’s TV series. Liz is a Graduate of QUT Academy of the Arts (BA Drama - Acting).
Matt Heyward (Poland - lead, Russia, Germany)
Matt made his professional debut as an original cast member of Mamma Mia!, understudying the roles of Pepper and Eddie. He then joined the original cast of The Producers , understudying the roles of Leo Bloom and Carmen Ghia. He toured Australia and Korea with Eurobeat, and was a cast member of Monty Pythons Spamalot, understudying the role of Patsy. For The Production Company, Matt appeared as Benny Van Buren in Damn Yankees, Junior Babcock in Mame, and Pierre in The Boyfriend. Most recently he sang the national anthem at Etihad Stadium for the Wallabies vs Italy Rugby match, televised internationally. Matt graduated from BAPA in 1999.
Mark Hill (Poland, Russia)
Mark Hill began acting singing and dancing at the age of three and by the time he started school, he had appeared in professional touring productions of Faust, and the Wizard of Oz. During school, Mark scored lead role’s on kid’s television series the Wayne Manifesto & Cybergirl, and performed live onstage with Michael Jackson in his History Tour. On completing school, Mark became an integral member of Raw Metal Dance Company, performing and choreographing tap and hip hop throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Mark is a current member of Bindi Irwin’s “Crocmen”. Alongside Bindi, Mark has worked extensively on stage and screen throughtout Australia & The USA. Highlights include the Macy Day Parade & Gooday Usa! In 2008, Mark featured in a sell-out season of Hot Shoe Shuffle and was chosen as one of Australia’s top 60 dances on So You Think You Can Dance. In 2009 Mark featured in Crazy for You, The Boyfriend & The Australian premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with the Production Company.
Meg Hoult (Italy & Sweden)
Meg’s professional performing career commenced in the United Kingdom with the role of Belle in a touring pantomime production of Beauty & The Beast (2000). This experience prompted her to follow her dream and pursue a career in singing and acting. She returned to Australia to study Music Theatre at the National Theatre Drama School and went on to complete her Bachelor of Arts (Drama) at Monash University. During this time, she created the role of Herta in the world premiere of Craig Christie’s, The White Rose (2003) including a short season in Singapore, and performed in Eurobeat – the Eurovision Musical (2003) in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She also hosted ‘Wiggles’ concerts (Entertainment Store), worked in Theatre Restaurant and toured in ‘Theatre-in-Education’ (No Mates). In 2007, Meg understudied Marina Prior and Lucy Maunder in Harp On The Willow at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne (Malcolm Cooke & Ensemble Productions). Other career highlights include lead singer on P&O’s ‘Pacific Dawn’ (2007-08), twelve months performing at Universal Studios, Japan (2005), a fringe season of The Play’s The Thing for New Performance Company (2006), and both the Australian and Asian tours of Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision (2006/2008) with Glynn Nicholas Group.
Raelene Isbester (Hungary, Sweden, Iceland)
Originally from Country NSW, Raelene completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre from Central Queensland University Conservatorium of Music. In recent years Raelene has worked extensively at Tokyo Disney Resort in numerous shows at the Diamond Horseshoe. Raelene has also appeared regularly in Latin and Christmas special events, recordings and voiceovers at both Tokyo Disney Sea and Tokyo Disneyland. Raelene’s TV credits include Blue Heelers and Neighbours and she can be seen in numerous short films and independent features. Raelene most recently created the role of Samantha in both the 2008 preview and the recent production of Tracy Harvey and Doug Macleod’s Call Girl the Musical at Chapel off Chapel (in Melbourne) earlier this year. Raelene is thrilled to be involved in Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision. May the voting begin.
Kirby Lunn (Greece, Iceland)
Earlier this year Kirby played Eponine in Les Miserables at Ignatians. Currently training at the Australian Dance Performance Institute, Kirby’s other music theatre credits include Rent, Shout!, The Producers, Jesus Christ Superstar and Fame. She was a featured soloist in the 2009 Creative Generation Concert at Boondall and one of the featured performers in last year’s Isn’t It Romantic – The Songs of Rodgers and Hart at QPAC. Kirby is in demand as a Soloist having performed at numerous events including Carols in the City, Queensland Pops Orchestra Concerts and Australia Day Concerts. Kirby is absolutely thrilled to be part of the Eurobeat cast and wishes to thank her wonderful teachers, agents, friends and family for their support, constant encouragement and belief in her.
Natalie Marsland (UK, Greece)
Natalie began her training in hometown Adelaide, moving to Sydney in 1995 to continue her studies at David Atkins’ Dynamite Dance Studios, receiving the Achievement Award for her year. This lead to work with Disney Live and performing at The Atlanta Olympic Games Handover Ceremony, choreographed by Stephen Page, as well as numerous corporate gigs before moving to Melbourne to join the cast of Sunset Boulevard. Shows to follow would be The Boy From Oz, Mamma Mia, Guys & Dolls, The Sign of the Seahorse, and The Producers. Amidst the musicals her creative energy was put into such projects as KittyCanTap, a company inspired by jazz, cabaret and a need to expose fellow artists, primarily female, who could tap, really tap. Without co-creator Amy Gibson this would never have been made possible. Moving on, her choreographic credits include The Virgin Wars for 2001 Next Wave Festival, Bat Boy The Musical, Godspell, A Funny Thing Happened... ,Virgins - A Musical Threesome shown at The New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006, The Dandy Lionz – Rock Band for Kidz, Prophecy for New End Theatre , Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision which began as an Australian Tour, then on to the 2007 Edinburgh Festival, and in 2008 opened at The Novello Theatre on London’s West End following a UK tour. Natalie has created for Fashion, Cabaret, Theatre, Clubs, Television, her work on Eurobeat receiving a Green Room Award Nomination for Best Choreography in a Musical. Add music writing, dance teaching and a few projects under development to an ever-growing list of accomplishments and goals, and this is to summarize the Natalie K Marsland of right now...
Jem Mortimer (Hungary, Iceland, Germany)
Eurobeat is Jem’s first professional production. When she’s not performing, Jem studies for her Performing Arts Degree at Monash University, whilst also doing dance and music. Her previous performing roles include: Terrorism , Claire in The Maids, Celia in As You Like It, Abigail in The Crucible, Yona in Children of Eden, Linda Street in Man of Steel, Virginia in The Waiting Womb and many others. Jem has won recognition for her solo performance The Cat in the Hat and she is a champion Theatre Sports Player.
Jordan S Pollard (Sweden, Italy)
Most recently, Jordan starred as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Harvest Rain/QPAC). Other stage credits include creating the principal role of Ben in the world premiere opera; Dirty Apple (Opera QLD), and the role of Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream the opera (QCGU). On the concert platform Jordan has performed at Pride of the Celts and Movie Magic with the Queensland Pops Orchestra. Other engagements include singing the national anthem at Suncorp Stadium for the Australia vs South Africa Tri Nations match in 2006, and performing at many events such as Brisbane’s Carols in the City, Scripture Union QLD’s Red Frogs dinner, the Quest Business Achievers Awards and various charitable events. In recent years Jordan has received the Youth of the Year award at the QYMA music festival, the Dickson Youth Achievement Award for his contribution to the Arts, and the Elizabeth Muir Memorial Award. In 2008 he recorded his self-titled debut album. Jordan is thrilled to be part of Eurobeat and wants to thank his family and friends for their endless support.
Cole Rintoul (Russia, Ireland, Poland)
Having been performing from an early age in the National Boys Choir, Cole continued his path in the entertainment industry, when he was signed to BMG records in the group Mercury 4, where they achieved an ARIA nomination, 3 top 20 hits including “Get Me Some” which peaked at #5 on the Aria Charts. Some of his television performances included Sunrise; GMA; Kerri-Anne Show; The Footy Show; Rage, Channel V; Funniest Home Videos; ABC; Fox 8; Nickelodeon, Micallef Tonight; Canberra’s Australia Day Concert and Carols in the Domain where he performed to an audience of over 80,000 people. His musical theatre credits include Rent (Roger), Mary Bryant (Will Bryant), Mame, an invited performer in STC’s All Star Cabaret show. He was an original cast member of the Australian Tour of Eurobeat, which later toured to Korea, and then earlier this year he joined the West End Cast in Switzerland to reprise his Eurobeat roles. As well as appearing in many TV commercials, Cole’s Film and Television credits include Mutiny on the Bounty, Mission Impossible, Neighbours, Soroburuo and Playstation3’s “LA NOIRE”. He has co hosted Video Hits and So Fresh, and Cole recently shot a nine episode spoof of Masterchef, as the extraordinary French Chef –‘Jean Pierre Bovier Benno Gatto’, who’s special masterpiece dish was his McDonalds “Angus Burger”.
Matthew Robinson (Sweden, UK)
A graduate of WAAPA, Matthew’s major performing credits include Freddy Eynsford-Hill in the Australian tour of My Fair Lady (Opera Australia), Henrik Egerman in A Little Night Music (Opera Australia), the title role in Pippin (Peter Cousens’ Kookaburra), the original Australian cast of Mamma Mia! (Dainty) and guest roles on television’s Stingers, Blue Heelers, The Singing Office (Fox 8), A Most Deadly Family (Village Roadshow), and the Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg teleseries The Pacific. As writer, composer and lyricist, 2009 marked the World Premiere of Matthew’s musical Metro Street in Adelaide produced by STCSA, Arts Asia Pacific and Power Arts, starring Nancye Hayes and Debra Byrne. Metro Street then opened the 3rd Daegu International Musical Festival in South Korea with Matthew in the central role of Chris Barnes. The title track from Metro Street can be found on Matthew’s independent album, Radio. Matthew’s current writing projects include a musical revue of his early work and two new book musicals. http://www.matthewrobinson.com.au/
Nicholas Skubij (Russia, Italy)
Nicholas developed his love of performing when he played the role of the young prince in the Qld Ballet production of The Nutcracker. Trained in classical dance and voice, Nicholas has performed in numerous corporate events for a number of major international companies including Amway (Korea), IBM (Japan), Coca-Cola and Jupiter’s Casino. Nicholas has performed the role of Enjolras in Les Miserables, Mark in A Chorus Line, Punter in The Fiveways and Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Crackle Snap Pop, Surviving Jonah Salt, Flutter, Statespeare and extensive touring with both the Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe and most recently, shake & stir theatre co of which he is co-Artistic Director. Nicholas is very excited to be involved in Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision and sincerely hopes you vote for him!
