The second Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour kicked off last night in Glasgow! Tim’s reprising his award-winning performance as Judas Iscariot, for one last tour, while Melanie C and Ben Forster will also be returning in their roles as Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Chris Moyles is back to play King Herod and Alexander Hanson takes on the role of Pontius Pilate again.
The spectacular show will now go on to visit: Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Nottingham, Manchester, London and Liverpool.
If you want to take your final chance to see Tim brooding, rocking and [spoiler alert] dying in dreadlocks and tatts in the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour then you can see the full list of tour dates and ticket availability at www.jesuschristsuperstar.com.
Hi. I gave an “occasional address” for a graduation ceremony at my old Uni, The University of Western Australia. Here is the video. The text is below. Hope there’s something in it for you.
“In darker days, I did a corporate gig at a conference for this big company who made and sold accounting software. In a bid, I presume, to inspire their salespeople to greater heights, they’d forked out 12 grand for an Inspirational Speaker who was this extreme sports dude who had had a couple of his limbs frozen off when he got stuck on a ledge on some mountain. It was weird. Software salespeople need to hear from someone who has had a long, successful and happy career in software sales, not from an overly-optimistic, ex-mountaineer. Some poor guy who arrived in the morning hoping to learn about better sales technique ended up going home worried about the blood flow to his extremities. It’s not inspirational – it’s confusing.
And if the mountain was meant to be a symbol of life’s challenges, and the loss of limbs a metaphor for sacrifice, the software guy’s not going to get it, is he? Cos he didn’t do an arts degree, did he? He should have. Arts degrees are awesome. And they help you find meaning where there is none. And let me assure you, there is none. Don’t go looking for it. Searching for meaning is like searching for a rhyme scheme in a cookbook: you won’t find it and you’ll bugger up your soufflé. (more…)
After opening in April 2013 to tremendous critical acclaim and winning a raft of accolades, including four coveted Tony awards, the Broadway production of Matilda the Musical is finally releasing its own original cast recording!
This shiny, new album will showcase all of the songs Tim wrote for the musical and features the exclusive track The Chokey Chant as well as all of the Acrobat stories! The full, juicy tracklist is:
Overture
Miracle
Naughty
First Acrobat Story
School Song
Pathetic
The Hammer
The Chokey Chant
Loud
This Little Girl
Second Acrobat Story
Bruce
Telly
When I Grow Up
Third Acrobat Story
I’m Here (Fourth Acrobat Story)
The Smell Of Rebellion
Quiet
My House
Chalk Writing
Revolting Children
Bows
Americans can get their chocolate-cake-covered paws on this delicious piece of awesomeness on the 27th September 2013, when it’ll be available both at the show and from your favourite digital download retailer. The CD will follow soon afterwards, being released in shops on the 22nd October 2013.
If you’re not in America, there are plans afoot to release it internationally but nothing’s been confirmed yet. Watch this space though, as we’ll announce it once we know when it’s heading your way!
Tim will be joining the amazing line-up at Festival Supreme, Santa Monica Pier, Saturday 19th October 2013.
Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D booked the Santa Monica Pier, months ago, for this one-off comedy rock festival in LA. They have since gathered together an awesome and extraordinary line-up including Adam Sandler, Demetri Martin, Eric Idle, Reggie Watts, Beardyman, The Mighty Boosh, Tim and Eric, Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress, The Gregory Brothers, Sarah Silverman, Tenacious D (of course) and many many more.
The event will be approximately seven hours of outstanding musical comedy on three different stages. You can find the full line-up and detailed festival information on the Festival Supreme website.
Tickets are, standing only, general admission and available from here.
Over 21s only.
14/10/13
UPDATE: Tim’s set time has now been announced as 8:15pm on the Club Intimacy stage. The full schedule can be viewed here.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) has awarded Tim the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, for his contribution to the arts, recognising his outstanding achievements and worldwide acclaim as a leading composer, lyricist, actor, writer and hirsute modern dance icon comedian.
In the historic Winthrop Hall, Tim took to the podium, in all his red finery, to address the 225 graduates assembled to receive their degrees. He delivered a speech, liberally sprinkled with sage advice and felicitous giggles.
Tim hails from Perth, of course, where he first composed for Christ Church Grammar School’s Midnite Youth Theatre Company. He then attended UWA, where he worked with the University Dramatic Society, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre. He also worked with Perth’s WA Youth Theatre Company, of which he is now a patron. He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University, in 1998, with an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music.
Then a bit later, as you may know, he went on to rampage around the globe bashing the living daylights out of a piano, touring his comedy shows, releasing comedy albums and his acclaimed beat poem Storm. He’s appeared all over the radio and telly on three continents and (amongst other things) written the music and lyrics for the hit, record breaking, seven Olivier Award winning Matilda The Musical, which is currently running on Broadway and in London’s West End.
He’s just finished a highly successful run, playing the coin tossing Rosencrantz, in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. He’ll fly home to the UK soon to rock out, once again, as the dreadlocked Judas Iscariot in the spectacular arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, this October and to continue writing a new (top secret) stage musical. AND he’s about to start work on a musical feature film for DreamWorks Animation. In his spare time he hopes to consume dairy products and write some more delicious, satirical comedy songs to tour, possibly within the next two years.
First to address the big grey dude* hanging out in the corner: Yes, this is a repeat announcement not deja vu. This was supposed to air in July but last minute rescheduling meant it didn’t happen. This time ABC assure us it will air as scheduled:
DC Turner’s acclaimed animation of Tim’s sublime ranty beat-poem ‘Storm‘ will finally be aired on Aus telly, ABC2 tomorrow Tuesday 17th September 2013 at 9.20pm.
Tracy King, Producer says: “As Storm approaches 2.5million YouTube views, we are continuing to seek new audiences offline as well as online, and are delighted that ABC has optioned the film for television broadcast. Australian viewers will be able to see animated Tim in all his televisual glory, and not one of those obscure 4am timeslots that short cartoons often get relegated to, either. All being well, this will be the first of many TV outings for Storm!”
You can look back at Tim, Tracy and Dan’s earlier comments when we first announced that the ‘Storm’ animation was live online, way back in April 2011, here and you’ll find more information at www.stormmovie.net.
If you’re not able to view it on the telly, perhaps because you’re not in Australia or you’d simply like to see it right here right now:
It looks like BBC Radio 4 Extra are dusting off their Timmy archive this week, airing not one, but two of Tim’s earlier radio shows!
Things kick off on Thursday, 12th September 2013 at 10:30pm, with an outing of Strings, the sitcom pilot Tim wrote for BBC Radio 2’s Comedy Showcase in 2010.
Strings follows Jonny (played by Tim), the lead singer of the band Perspex. The band are on the brink of success having just released a hit single, however, Jonny is struggling with feelings of being unfulfilled.
The show also features a mix of re-recorded Minchin classics and exclusive new material and stars the delicious vocal talents of Peter Serafinowicz, Will Adamsdale, Rosalie Craig, Emily Watson Howes, Dan Antopolski, Lizzie Roper and Lewis McLeod.
Then on Saturday, 14th September 2013 at 10pm, you’ve got the chance to catch Tim’s 2006/2007 New Year’s special, Tim Minchin and Friends.
The show has Tim performing raft of his retro numbers (and one written especially) on a piano, with backing from the Tim Minchin Swinging Duo of Musicalness.
The programme also features appearances from Tim’s friends – children’s entertainer Jeremy Lions; singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas and the indescribable vocalist Reggie Watts (yes, there is a Reggie/Tim collaboration).
If you can’t wait until Saturday, the BBC put a couple of songs online that didn’t make the edit and you can check those beauties out here.
Both shows will be available on iPlayer afterwards, if you accidentally manage to miss them, and you’ll be able to listen to them worldwide both live and on iPlayer.
Hosanna! The spectacular Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour DVD, with Tim cast in his (award winning) dream role as Judas Iscariot, will be released in the USA on the 10th September 2013! The DVD and Blu-ray are already available for pre-order from Amazon.
The production was filmed over two nights at Birmingham’s NIA when the show toured UK arenas in 2012. As well as Tim in the role of Judas, the fabulous cast includes Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, Chris Moyles as King Herod and Winner of the ITV primetime show Superstar Ben Forster in the title role of Jesus.
Here are a few clips to give you a taste of how Tim and the cast entranced audiences, broke their hearts and rocked their asses! (more…)
Tim Minchin And The Heritage Orchestra (Live At The Royal Albert Hall) will be on Channel 4 on Saturday 24th August, 11.35pm – 01:05am and an hour later on Channel 4 +1. It will also be on Channel 4 HD for those wishing to examine Tim’s colourful features and exotic tailoring in detail.
This spectacular show was filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2011. Tim’s joined on stage by the awesome 55-piece Heritage Orchestra, led by Jules Buckley and by Pete Clements on bass and Brad Webb on drums. That’s almost too much beauty on one stage!
The concert features new orchestrations of favourites such as You Grew on Me, Not Perfect, Dark Side, Prejudice and Rock `n’ Roll Nerd as well as Thank You God, Lullaby and many more. It’s a heady mix of soaring music in a very special, wonderfully lit setting with Tim’s sharp satirical comedy and iconic dance moves.
If you want to stay spoiler free but whet your appetite for the show this trailer for the DVD will give you a marvellously cheesy taster and a look at the fabulous Royal Albert Hall:
On the other hand you could dive right in to watch Tim perform Thank You God in all its glory:
Should your interest be piqued and you’d like to read a bit of bloggage, from back in 2011, celebrating the show: Tim, Brad, Pete and Chris Wheeler, producer of the Heritage Orchestra, can be found here doing just that.
Channel 4 is showing edited highlights. If you’d like to see more, the DVD is available from the UK & Europe Shop and the Australasia Shop. Both ship internationally if you are outside these regions and we’ll announce on this site as soon as it is available in North America.
Tim will be talking science with Dr Karl on triplej, ABC, this Thursday 22nd August, 2013.
As part of the Mornings with Zan Rowe show, Dr Karl hosts a weekly science and myth-busting hour. Although triplej is an Australian radio station, if you are not based on that beautiful continent, you can still listen to Tim talking with Zan and Dr Karl live online (if you’re awake that is). If not, Dr Karl’s segment will be podcast shortly after the show airs.
Mornings with Zan runs from 9am to 12noon with the Dr Karl’s Science on Mornings starting at 11am EST. The all important ATT* is 11:30am.
You can listen live online here and you’ll find the various ways to download or subscribe to the free podcast on the Science on Mornings page or go directly to the show on iTunes.
UPDATE: You can listen to the show here now. Tim’s on about 16:00. The podcast is up too – links above.
Those in Aus can contact the show with a science question on 1300 055536 or hit the text line on 0439 757555. Alternatively you can tweet @DoctorKarl.
* Remember this is only an Approximate Timmy Time so it may be worth trying to tune in a bit earlier, just in case.
22/08/13, 08:50 UPDATE: Tim was also talking to Doctor Karl on BBC5 Live in the early hours (BST)! You can Listen Again here and here’s the podcast.
Tim is currently making his Sydney Theatre Company (STC) debut performing as Rosencrantz, with Toby Schmitz as Guildenstern, in Tom Stoppard’s absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
For the delectation of those not able to get to the theatre in Sydney due to geographical, oceanographical or motivational constraints, here’s a video by Stage Whispers TV, in which Tim and Toby talk about their approach to the play, working together once again and making each other laugh, intercut with scenes from the production showing the amazing set design and their rather dashing costumes: swords, leather, thigh boots! Awesome.
The play’s on for another month but it’s pretty much sold out. However, if you fancy, you can see some photos from the show and scan for the odd golden ticket on the STC website. We blogged it on this site here if you want to see Tim’s comment on the show when it was first announced.
The 13th Annual Helpmann Awards will be presented live at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 29th July. It will be broadcast on Foxtel’s Arena channel.
A star studded list of presenters will be joining co-hosts Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan Browne on stage to announce the winners of the 43 awards, recognising distinguished artistic achievement and excellence across the major disciplines of Australia’s live performance industry.
Tim will be making a very special appearance, on the night, as part of the ceremony which will feature a line-up of incredible performances including a full company performance of Hot Shoe Shuffle, singer Emma Birdsall and the Sydney Dance Company and the very first performance of the party musical Grease.
13th ANNUAL HELPMANN AWARDS
MONDAY 29th JULY
Showtime: 7pm
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE www.helpmannawards.com.au
DC Turner’s acclaimed animation of Tim’s sublime ranty beat-poem ‘Storm‘ is to be aired on ABC2 on Monday 8th July 2013 at 9:15pm according to this ABC2 announcement.
Tracy King, Producer says: “As Storm approaches 2.5million YouTube views, we are continuing to seek new audiences offline as well as online, and are delighted that ABC has optioned the film for television broadcast. Australian viewers will be able to see animated Tim in all his televisual glory, and not one of those obscure 4am timeslots that short cartoons often get relegated to, either. All being well, this will be the first of many TV outings for Storm!”
You can look back at Tim, Tracy and Dan’s earlier comments when we first announced that the ‘Storm’ animation was live online, way back in April 2011, here and if you’re not able to view it on the telly, perhaps because you’re not in Australia or maybe a roo ate the remote… you’ll find the film and more information at www.stormmovie.net.
UPDATE: Apologies that this wasn’t on your telly-boxes after all. It appears to have been postponed. No information yet on when it will be re-scheduled.
This August Tim makes his Sydney Theatre Company (STC) debut performing, with Toby Schmitz, in Tom Stoppard’s absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
As tickets have been flying out the door and across that beautiful harbour, an extra week has been added. The show previews Tuesday 6th August to Friday 9th August, opens on Saturday 19th August and now runs until Saturday 14th September 2013.
Tickets are available from the Sydney Theatre website here or you can phone: 02 9250 1777. Prices range from $50 – $105 and further details are available via their website. Snap ’em up while you can!
When news of this role first broke, Tim said: “I adore Stoppard, I adore this play, and Toby and I love working together. So when Luke (Cowling – who co-directed the UWA version) suggested that we should try to play the title roles opposite each other, I got very excited. Eventually the idea ended up with the STC who in turn suggested the incredible Simon Phillips as director. I’ve known for some time that it was going to happen, but now it’s actually been officially announced, I can properly start shitting myself. With fear, as well as excitement.”
Tim and Toby have a history together, having met way back in the olden days when Tim was 17 and Toby, 15. In 1996, Tim and Toby played the minor characters of The Player and Hamlet, respectively, in a University of Western Australia (UWA) production of Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead, directed by Gen Hegney and Luke Cowling, at the Dolphin Theatre, Perth. They (along with Travis Cotton) also co-wrote a musical called This Blasted Earth, which they put on in 2004.
Last night, the 67th Annual Tony Awards ceremony took place at Radio City Music Hall, New York. At the glamorous and star studded evening the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Broadway production of Matilda The Musical won FOUR Tony Awards. Matilda has now danced away with a phenomenal 47 awards, so far, in Stratford-Upon-Avon, London and New York!
Gabriel Ebert, who plays Mr Wormwood, won Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Best Book of a Musical went to Dennis Kelly. Rob Howell claimed Best Scenic Design of a Musical and Hugh Vanstone Best Lighting Design of a Musical.
The four actresses who play the title role in Matilda The Musical on Broadway: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro received Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre.
You can see Matilda’s full list of TWELVE Tony award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score Written for the Theatre (for Tim’s Music and Lyrics), in this earlier blog and the full list of Tony Award winners can be found here.
Many congratulations to everyone at Matilda The Musical on Broadway.
After opening in April 2013 to tremendous critical acclaim and winning a raft of accolades, including four coveted Tony awards, the Broadway production of Matilda the Musical is finally releasing its own original cast recording!
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