Four of Australia’s most celebrated stage performers will reunite at Canberra Theatre on Saturday 21 February for Ovation, a concert bringing together Marina Prior, David Hobson, Silvie Paladino and Michael Cormick.
On paper, it is a powerhouse line-up, featuring a program of musical theatre and opera classics delivered by four of the country’s most recognisable voices. But when David and Marina talk about Ovation, it becomes clear the show is driven as much by friendship and shared history as it is by repertoire.
“We’ve been performing together in different combinations for years,” Marina tells CD. “David and I have been doing concerts together for the last eight to ten years, and they’ve been incredibly successful and a lot of fun. What’s special about this show is bringing Silvie and Michael into the mix and finally doing a full tour together.”
Between them, the four performers have shared stages, dressing rooms and productions for decades. Ovation marks the first time they have created a concert built on that shared history and are now taking it on the road, with Canberra the opening stop.
“There’s a real ease between us,” David says. “People sometimes expect us to be very formal because of the worlds we come from, but that’s not really what this show is. Yes, there’s still polish and structure, but we can be loose. We lift the lid a bit.”
That sense of openness is central to Ovation. Marina says that they invite audiences into their world, sharing stories, moments and the humour that comes from long-standing friendships.
“There’s lots of chat and lots of fun,” she says. “We’ve all worked together in different ways over the years, so we’ve got a lot to draw on and a lot to say.”
Musically, audiences can expect the big numbers, the songs people know, love and expect, alongside a few surprises.
“The hardest thing is choosing what not to do,” Marina laughs. “There are too many songs. If we did everything we love, it would be an eight-hour concert.”
David agrees. “We’ll absolutely be doing the big guns from shows like Phantom, Les Misérables and Cats, along with operatic favourites. But we also throw in some unexpected moments, quirky pieces, character songs and even some comedy. Things people might not expect from us.”
One of the joys of the tour,David says, is the opportunity to sing together as a quartet. “Vocally, it’s a perfect match. Marina is a soprano, Silvie is a mezzo-soprano, I’m a tenor and Michael is a baritone. We cover the full range, which gives the show a really rich texture.”
After decades in the industry, both performers say the thrill of live performance has not faded.
“It never becomes mundane,” Marina says. “It’s a privilege to still be doing this, and it’s unusual to have a career that lasts as long as ours has. To still be out there, working with people you genuinely enjoy, is something we don’t take for granted.”
Ovation is designed to be that shared moment. A night of music that spans centuries, from operatic classics to musical theatre favourites, delivered with warmth, humour and genuine connection.
“It’s about that communal experience,” David says. “You can stay home and watch something on a screen, but there’s nothing like being in a room together, experiencing live music. It lifts you.”
“I hope people leave feeling uplifted, better than when they walked in. I hope they feel as good as we do on stage.”
Ovation will be performed at Canberra Theatre on Saturday 21 February, starting at 7:30pm. To book, visit canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/ovation-2026
