Candidate Event: XanaduLand

[Wayno]

http://www.xanaduthemusical.com.au/venue.html

From the Independent Weekly

Rann idea for XanaduLand on Vic Park

PREMIER Mike Rann has proposed Victoria Park as a possible venue for the marquee-based production of Xanadu The Musical.

“Let’s not forget about Victoria Park,” Mr Rann told listeners to Mix102.3’s breakfast program this morning.

He made the comment after presenter John Riddell said the Xanadu marquee was “about the size of the Cirque du Soleil tent plus an area around it called XanaduLand.”

The Premier’s suggestion is the latest major event proposal for Victoria Park and follows last week’s revelation in Indaily that horse racing could return to the area in a limited way with seven or eight meetings a year on a shortened race track.

Under current restrictions at Victoria Park, where the Motor Sports Board has control of the area during “put up and pull down” for Clipsal 500’s temporary grandstands, the Xanadu production would only be able to set up after the end of May and before December.

The Australian production of Xanadu The Musical opened in Melbourne last Thursday for a 10 week season, in what is described by the promoters as an “hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you”.

The musical is based on the cult classic film starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly and rolls along to the original hit score composed by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.

The marquee is the centre piece of XanaduLand with an area that includes a band, a bar, a concessions stand, VIP Lounge and other facilities for after-show entertainment.

The Australian season is listed as Melbourne in March and April, Sydney from May and then Brisbane from August.

Other states and territories will be included in 2011/12, the promoters said.