CW brings you the latest in arts and entertainment news from around the Canberra region. Highlights this week include a dance workshop and the return of REP. 

Canberra’s own Ike

The hit musical celebrating the life of one of music’s greats will take to the stage in Sydney this May, with a Canberra performer front and centre.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical tells the inspiring yet tragic tale of one of the best-selling musical artists of all time with Ruva Ngwena taking on the title role. Four-time platinum artist Tim ‘Timomatic’ Omaji stars alongside as her husband, Ike Turner.

Moving to Canberra in 2003, Omaji studied secondary school here, as well as dance at Kulture Break with Francis Owusu. The Australian-Nigerian performer shot to fame after being noticed on reality shows, So You Think You Can Dance in 2009 and then Australia’s Got Talent in 2011.

The performer’s stage career has seen him take on roles in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Heights, Saturday Night Fever, and Rent.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Theatre Royal Sydney, 4 May-1 October; tinathemusical.com.au

REP returns

The Canberra Repertory Society launches their 2023 season at the REP Theatre with Love Letters, on 15-26 March.

The drama comedy written by A.R. Gurney follows childhood friends, Melissa and Andrew, as the pair write each other letters for nearly five decades – through their school years, overseas adventures, and not so successful marriages as they share a friendship and sometimes something more.

Love Letters is the first instalment of the theatre society’s busy schedule, which includes five other productions, along with opportunities for Canberra creatives through their workshops, masterclasses, Theatre Lab and The ‘Logues playwriting competition.

Love Letters at Canberra Rep Theatre, Civic, 15-26 March; canberrarep.org.au

Dance Workshop

Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres have teamed up with Ausdance ACT to present an exciting development workshop for dancers with Charmene Yap.

Designed for dancers over the age of 15 and at intermediate to advanced level, the workshop offers locals the chance to work with one of Sydney Dance Company’s acclaimed performers and choreographers.

Participants will go through the contemporary technique exercises before diving into a selection of choreographic tasks the company used to create their new work Ascent, which comes to Canberra Theatre on 9-11 March. Registration is now open with spaces limited.

Ausdance ACT Workshop, Gorman Arts Centre, 11 March; ainslieandgorman.com.au

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