Metro Street

Set against the backdrop of modern day Melbourne, soon to be university graduate Chris undergoes a life-altering year. With dreams of a future in London and the promise of a generation who can have it all, the four women in his life – his mother Sue, grandmother Jo, girlfriend Amy, and girl next door Kerry – enable him to find his way to what he needs the most; home.

The World Premiere production of Metro Street with book, music and lyrics by Matthew Lee Robinson was produced by Arts Asia Pacific, Power Arts and the State Theatre Company of South Australia, premiering at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide on April 7, 2009. Directed by Geordie Brookman and musically directed by Matthew Carey, the cast starred Debra Byrne, Nancye Hayes, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Cameron Goodall and Jude Henshall.

The production went on to receive high critical and audience praise and on the strength of the premiere season was invited to be the featured opening production of the third annual Daegu International Musical Festival in Daegu, South Korea, opening on June 15, 2009.

The World Premiere production in Adelaide was nominated for five Helpmann Awards (Australia’s equivalent to the Tony Awards) alongside musical heavyweights Wicked, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady and Spamalot. Nominations for Metro Street were Best New Australian Work, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Choreography of a Musical and Best Musical Direction.

At the Daegu International Musical Festival Awards, Metro Street was nominated for Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Matthew Lee Robinson), Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (Nancye Hayes) and won for Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Debra Byrne).