Latest news with #AustralianOpera
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Play School presenter Donald Macdonald dies at 86
Donald Macdonald, one of Play School's first presenters and a respected actor, has died aged 86. Remembered as one of the original presenters when Play School launched in 1966, the Sydney-born actor died following a battle with cancer surrounded by family. Journalist Craig Bennett shared the news on Monday, penning a heartfelt tribute to 'a true gentleman'. 'One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,' the post said. 'Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.' Spending his final days with his 'cherished' cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett, Bennett said Macdonald faced the cancer with 'copious good humour'. 'On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie!' Bennett wrote. 'Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown!' Macdonald's career spanned more than 40 years, with credits including appearances on popular Australian TV shows such as Certain Women, The Box, Rake, Cop Shop, and Skyways. He also featured in the cult film Alvin Purple and made a cameo in Superman Returns. A highly regarded figure in the arts, Macdonald became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991 for his leadership as general manager of the Australian Opera. In 2006, he was recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia for his outstanding impact on national life and the creative industries, including his work in public broadcasting. Fans remembered Macdonald as a 'lovely gentleman', posting condolences under the tribute. 'A very good man … was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all,' one fan commented. 'Thank you, Craig for letting us all know. A sad day for those Left Behind who loved this dear gentleman. It's beautiful Craig how you honour people that need to be honoured and reminds all of us of their rich and incredible life. May he rest in peace.' another added. 'We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanour, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentleman.' Originally published as 'Dapper Delight': Acting great Donald Macdonald dies after cancer battle
News.com.au
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Dapper Delight': Acting great Donald Maconald dies after cancer battle
Donald Macdonald, one of Play School's first presenters and respected actor, has died aged 86. Remembered as one of the original presenters when Play School launched in 1966, the Sydney-born actor died following a battle with cancer surrounded by family. Journalist Craig Bennett shared the news on Monday, penning a heartfelt tribute to 'a true gentleman'. 'One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,' the post said. 'Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.' Spending his final days with his 'cherished' cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett, Bennett said Macdonald faced the cancer with 'copious good humour'. 'On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie!' Bennett wrote. 'Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown!' Macdonald's career spanned more than 40 years, with credits including appearances on popular Australian TV shows such as Certain Women, The Box, Rake, Cop Shop, and Skyways. He also featured in the cult film Alvin Purple and made a cameo in Superman Returns. A highly regarded figure in the arts, Macdonald became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991 for his leadership as general manager of the Australian Opera. In 2006, he was recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia for his outstanding impact on national life and the creative industries, including his work in public broadcasting. Fans remembered Macdonald as a 'lovely gentleman', posting condolences under the tribute. 'A very good man … was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all,' one fan commented. 'Thank you, Craig for letting us all know. A sad day for those Left Behind who loved this dear gentleman. It's beautiful Craig how you honour people that need to be honoured and reminds all of us of their rich and incredible life. May he rest in peace.' another added. 'We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanour, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentleman.'
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'A stalwart of stage and screen': Beloved Play School presenter and Australian actor Donald Macdonald dies after cancer battle
Australian actor, screenwriter and novelist Donald Macdonald, best known for his role as a presenter on ABC's Play School, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 86 years old. Macdonald was among the original faces of Play School when it launched in 1966, charming young audiences with his cheerful, engaging presence alongside co-stars including Don Spencer, Alister Smart and Lorraine Bayly. News of his death was confirmed by entertainment reporter and close friend Craig Bennett, who shared a heartfelt tribute on Monday. "One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today," Bennett wrote, posting a carousel of photos of the late actor. "Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen… He was a dapper delight and always great company." Bennett said Macdonald had faced cancer with "copious good humour" and was surrounded by loved ones in his final days. "His cherished cousin Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett have been in residence as his last days approached," he wrote. "On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party- laughs and smiles a-plenty- as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie! "…Vale to a true gentleman." After MacDonald finished up with Play School in 1969, the Sydney-born performer went on to star in his own TV series I Married a Bachelor, and made memorable guest appearances in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, The Pathfinders, A Country Practice, Cop Shop, Skyways, Rafferty's Rules and Rake. His film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny. Beyond acting, Macdonald was an accomplished writer. He penned the award-winning stage play Caravan- a classic Australian comedy about couples navigating life on the road, as well as Hot Taps, Giuseppe, Saints Alive, Seasons, Boulevard Play, and Truth. He was widely respected in the arts community, earning an A.O. (Officer of the Order of Australia) in 1991 for his work as General Manager of the Australian Opera, and later an A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) in 2006 for his contribution to national life and creative industries, including public broadcasting. Following the news, friends, family and fans have paid tribute to Macdonald's legacy. "A sad day! Another stalwart of the Australian television industry has left us…," one commenter wrote on Facebook. "My condolences to all his dear friends and family. Donald was unique in our industry and such a gentleman," added another. Actress Antonia Murphy recalled working with Macdonald on the first national tour of Caravan. "A very good man… was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all," she said.
RTÉ News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Miss Saigon is on the way back to the Bord Gáis
Boublil and Schönberg's legendary musical is reborn and Miss Saigon is on its way back to Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. This exciting new production will play from 13-17 January 2026 and tickets priced from €33.20 will go on sale on Friday 2nd May at 9am through Ticketmaster. "Over 35 years after Boublil and Schönberg's legendary musical Miss Saigon first opened to international success, I am delighted that this powerful heart-wrenching love story has remained timeless around the world," says producer Cameron Mackintosh. "The story of two young people - an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl - who fall in love as their lives are torn apart by war, ultimately causing a mother to sacrifice her life for her child, has become a worldwide hit . . . "The recent hugely successful Sheffield Crucible production took a contemporary look at this great musical and that inspired producer Michael Harrison and I to also take a fresh look at Miss Saigon and create a modern version that can play many theatres that the original was unable to do. "Directing this exciting new production is Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, who recently directed the acclaimed Australian Opera production of Miss Saigon and with Matthew Bourne, co-directed my hugely successful new production of Oliver! in the West End. "Like the phoenix that is so central to the show's story Miss Saigon will rise again - a legend reborn." Miss Saigon has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French text by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler and Orchestrations by William David Brohn. The soaring musical score features the hits songs; The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World and The American Dream. September 2024 marked 35 years since the show's opening in the West End. Since its London premiere in 1989, Cameron Mackintosh's original production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's epic musical has become one of the most successful musicals in history.
