Live performance and theatre is returning to the Coast this November with Laycock Street Community Theatre (Laycock Street Theatre) reopening with shows from three of Australia’s biggest stars.

Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel (The Voice) will reopen Laycock Street Theatre as part of the NSW Government’s ‘Great Southern Nights’ initiative, which will see established and emerging Australian artists perform at 1,000 gigs across the State.

Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said Great Southern Nights will reopen the doors to Laycock Street Theatre in spectacular form.

“Council welcomes this fantastic NSW Government initiative, which will be delivered through Destination NSW and in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),” Ms Vaughan said.

“Great Southern Nights will play a vital role in stimulating the revival of the live music and entertainment sector here on the Coast and we’re thrilled to have secured three performances and to be receiving $5,000 to help host the shows,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This series of shows will feature some of the best talent our country has to offer – Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel – along with some incredible local talent.

“I’d encourage music loving Coasties to secure their seats early as these shows are sure to be popular.”

Mayor Lisa Matthews said live performance and theatre will be vital to the Coast’s recovery as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

“Our community members and visitors to the Coast love live music and it is so exciting to see the sector springing back to life,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Council welcomes this NSW Government initiative that will play an important role in kick-starting the live entertainment economy on the Coast.”

Performances at Laycock Street Theatre as part of Great Southern Nights:

• Kate Ceberano, supported by Joe Kalou – Friday 13 November 2020, 8pm – $70
• Shane Nicholson, supported by Cass Hopetoun – Friday 20 November 2020, 8pm – $50
• Johnny Manuel with five piece band from The Voice – Saturday 21 November 2020, 8pm – $50

As part of Laycock Street Theatre’s COVID-safe Plan the venue will be operating at 40 percent capacity and all tickets will need to be secured through the Virtual Box Office.

To secure tickets to any of the Great Southern Nights performances at Laycock Street Theatre and all upcoming shows please email laycockstreettheatre@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, clearly specifying the event name, number of tickets requested and a contact phone number.

All emails will be placed in a virtual queue and a member of the box office team will call to allocate tickets and take payment in order of ticket requests received. Tickets will be allocated in household groups, in line with Laycock Street Theatre’s COVID-safe Plan.

Further details about great southern nights

Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative, delivered by its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) to stimulate the revival of the live music and entertainment sectors and in turn the visitor economy in the recovery phase of COVID-19.

Great Southern Nights will culminate in Australia’s premier music industry event, the ARIA Awards.

Find out more about Great Southern Nights – greatsouthernnights.com.au

Artist biographies

KATE CEBERANO

Multi ARIA award winning artist, Kate Ceberano, has been in the business for over 35 years – writing and performing both jazz and pop music – with seven Platinum and seven Gold albums to her name.

Ceberano has barely drawn breath since, racking up 27 albums over 35 years to be the most prolific Australian female recording artist of this era. 2020 will see further exciting and unexpected projects, confirming that Kate Ceberano is a most diverse and creative tour-de-force.

Her work, her craft and her vision are now imbued in our collective DNA. Kate Ceberano is a national treasure, possessing one of the great voices of her generation.

JO KALOU (support act for Kate Ceberano) (Central Coast local)

Joe is most well-known to audiences as a member of the most recent cast of Hi-5 having toured with them internationally with them for two years. With Hi-5 he performed on Channel 9’s Carols By Candlelight for two years in a row as well as appearing on Season 17 of the Channel 9 Hi-5 TV series.

Song writing has always been a passion of his. He’s played a string of solo shows in LA, London and Manchester. And over the years supported the likes of Ian Moss, Glenn Shorrock and Toni Childs. Previously he toured for many years as a vocalist, guitarist and flautist in The Rock Show with Jon English, Rock Show More and Rock Revolution.

Joe also played the role of Benny in Blue Saint Productions’ sold out production of In The Heights at The Sydney Opera House. The role of Jesus in Packemin Productions Jesus Christ Superstar. And most recently, he performed as a Tribe member in HAIR The Musical, the 50th Anniversary Australian Tour and in the Australian/NZ tour of The Book Of Mormon.

SHANE NICHOLSON (Central Coast local)

Shane Nicholson inhabits a rare space in the music industry: songwriter, recording artist, producer/engineer, multi-instrumentalist, guitar pedal builder, whiskey-enthusiast, motorcycle-lover, and musical mentor. Shane has received three ARIA awards – most recently for his solo album Hell Breaks Loose in 2015 and for his hit collaborations with Kasey Chambers – Rattlin’ Bones and Wreck and Ruin. He has also won 10 CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, including 2018 Male Artist of the Year, and an APRA award.

CASS HOPETOUN (Support act for Shane Nicholson)

Since the release of her debut single ‘Shots’ in March this year Cass Hopetoun has proven that she’s anything but typical. ‘Shots’ peaked at No.4 on The Music Network County Airplay Chart and has so far received over 130,000 streams on Spotify. Hopetoun will release her debut album in 2021 on Compass Bros / Universal and is busting to bring her country sass to the live stage.

JOHNNY MANUEL

Johnny was a successful artist in the US before falling in love with an Aussie and moving to Terrigal. He landed a contract with Warner Music as a teenager, opening for Jay Z and Destiny's Child and touring with NSYNC. Johnny was also a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent, his voice being heard all over the world after his audition video went viral.

"My Voice, My Life" presents Johnny Manuel in his first live performance since his astounding appearances on The Voice. Johnny will sing a selection of current soul influenced pop hits as well as songs he has recently co-written for his  album to be released in 2021. With his superb voice, Johnny’s undoubtably one of the finest singers ever to grace these shores.

ELASKIA (Support act for Johnny Manuel)

Elaskia is an acoustic singer-songwriter/pianist with a strong soulful indie pop influence. Elaskia’s songs are carefully and thoughtfully crafted, with intuitive melodies and heartfelt insight. With musical influences as varied as Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Florence & the Machine, Alt-j and Regina Spektor. Elaskia manages to pay tribute to these great artists, whilst making her songs uniquely individual. With smooth, dulcet vocals that intertwine with her haunting piano, Elaskia elicits raw emotion, rarely heard in a young emerging artist. Having a live gig history that belies her years, Elaskia has supported some of Australia’s top artists including Wendy Matthews, Vince Jones, Karise Eden, Rick Price, Gina Jeffreys & 1927 to name a few.