Gale Edwards
Encyclopedia
Gale Edwards is an Australian theatre director, who has worked extensively throughout Australia and internationally. She has also directed for television and film. She began her career at Adelaide
youth theatre company Energy Connection. From 1986 to 1989 she was Associate Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia
, has been an Artistic Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company
and has worked with every other major theatre Australian company, including the Sydney Theatre Company
and Opera Australia
. Internationally, Edwards directed the 1996 London revival of Jesus Christ Superstar
, which opened on Broadway in 2000, and for which she won an Emmy Award
for a recording of the production. Edwards contributed to the book of the musical Whistle Down The Wind
, for which she directed the West End production. Edwards has also directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company
and Shakespeare Theatre Company
(Washington D.C.). She directed the premiere production of The Boy from Oz
.
Edwards has been the recipient of three Sydney Critics Circle Awards, four Green Room Awards
, two Mo Awards
, an Emmy, two Helpmann Awards, a Sydney Critics Award, two nominations for Helen Hayes Awards, and a 2000 Centenary Medal 'for Service to Australian Society'.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
youth theatre company Energy Connection. From 1986 to 1989 she was Associate Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia
State Theatre Company of South Australia
The State Theatre Company of South Australia is South Australia's leading professional theatre company. It is based in the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre. The current artistic director is Adam Cook...
, has been an Artistic Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company
Melbourne Theatre Company
The Melbourne Theatre Company is a theatre company based in Melbourne. Founded in 1953, it is the oldest professional theatre company in Australia, and has its own theatre, The MTC Theatre – which houses the 500-seat Sumner Theatre and the 150-seat Lawler Studio – located in Melbourne's Arts...
and has worked with every other major theatre Australian company, including the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
and Opera Australia
Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
. Internationally, Edwards directed the 1996 London revival of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
, which opened on Broadway in 2000, and for which she won an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for a recording of the production. Edwards contributed to the book of the musical Whistle Down The Wind
Whistle Down the Wind
Whistle Down the Wind may refer to:* Whistle Down the Wind , a film directed by Bryan Forbes* Whistle Down the Wind , a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the film...
, for which she directed the West End production. Edwards has also directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
and Shakespeare Theatre Company
Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Shakespeare Theatre Company is a regional theatre company located in Washington, D.C. Their self professed mission "is to present classic theatre of scope and size in an imaginative, skillful and accessible American style that honors the playwrights’ language and intentions while viewing their...
(Washington D.C.). She directed the premiere production of The Boy from Oz
The Boy from Oz
The Boy from Oz is a jukebox musical based on the life of singer/songwriter Peter Allen and featuring songs written by him. The book is by Nick Enright. The production had its world premiere, directed by Gale Edwards, at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Australia, on 5 March 1998 and toured Brisbane,...
.
Edwards has been the recipient of three Sydney Critics Circle Awards, four Green Room Awards
Green Room Awards
The Green Room Awards are peer awards which recognise excellence in cabaret, dance, drama, fringe theatre, musical theatre and opera in Melbourne....
, two Mo Awards
Mo Awards
The Mo Awards are long running annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia....
, an Emmy, two Helpmann Awards, a Sydney Critics Award, two nominations for Helen Hayes Awards, and a 2000 Centenary Medal 'for Service to Australian Society'.