Award-winning composer and performer Eddie Perfect, the creative force behind Vivid White and The Beast, is embarking on his most ambitious project to date - a major new musical resurrecting Australia's forgotten entertainment history.
Unearthing Buried Theatrical History
The Tivoli Circuit, once Australia's answer to Britain's music hall tradition, dominated entertainment from the late 19th century until its sudden collapse in 1966. Perfect's new work will explore this vibrant world of variety theatre that once captivated audiences across the continent.
"I was completely unaware of this massive part of our cultural history until recently," Perfect revealed. "The Tivoli was this extraordinary institution that shaped Australian entertainment for generations, then virtually disappeared from public memory."
More Than Just Song and Dance
Perfect's research has uncovered a production that promises to be far more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The musical will delve into the circuit's surprising role in shaping Australian identity and its complex relationship with political censorship.
"The Tivoli management maintained something called the 'blue list' - a secret catalogue of banned material," Perfect explained. "They were essentially deciding what Australians could and couldn't hear, often bowing to political pressure to censor content that might offend powerful figures."
A Creative Dream Team
The production brings together an exceptional team of Australian theatrical talent. Perfect will collaborate with director Leticia Cáceres, whose recent successes include The Tempest for Sydney Theatre Company, ensuring a production that blends historical depth with contemporary relevance.
Perfect describes the project as fundamentally Australian while exploring universal themes of artistic freedom, cultural memory, and who controls the stories we tell.
From Vaudeville to Modern Australia
The Tivoli Circuit's story mirrors Australia's own cultural evolution - from colonial entertainment importing British stars to developing homegrown talent that reflected an emerging national identity.
Perfect sees striking parallels between the Tivoli's censorship battles and contemporary debates about artistic expression. "The questions they were grappling with then about who gets to decide what's acceptable on stage feel incredibly relevant today," he noted.
With development underway and a planned 2026 premiere, theatre enthusiasts and history buffs alike have a significant new Australian production to anticipate - one that promises to entertain while resurrecting a crucial piece of the nation's cultural heritage.
