Tim Minchin gets nod for Broadway Matilda

 

The cast of Matilda The Musical, during a performance in New York. Source: AP

The Daily Telegraph reports

Aussie musician Tim Minchin has received a sought-after Drama Desk nomination for his work on Matilda The Musical.

Minchin received the nod in the category of outstanding lyrics.

It was one of a seven nominations for the musical, which is currently performing on Broadway and which was adapted from Roald Dahl's 1988 children's novel.

The off-Broadway show Giant and the quickly shuttered Broadway musical Hands on a Hardbody lead the Drama Desk nomination race this season.

Matilda The Musical, the audience-friendly The Mystery of Edwin Drood and a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Passion close behind.

Giant, based on the 1952 Edna Ferber novel of the same name, made its off-Broadway premiere at the Public Theater last October.

Hands on a Hardbody, a show with songs co-written by Phish founder Trey Anastasio is based on a documentary film. Both earned nine nominations Monday.

Matilda, Passion and Drood each captured seven.

Shows with six nominations are A Christmas Story: The Musical, which co-starred Australian actress Caroline O'Connor, Chaplin: The Musical, Pippin and The Other Josh Cohen.

The Drama Desk, an organization of theatre journalists and critics, honors both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The awards will be presented May 19.

Jessica Mauboy claims The Voice is 'more supportive' of artists compared to her experience of Australian Idol

The Voice coach Ricky Martin and team mentor Jessica Mauboy. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Pop diva and new Voice mentor Jessica Mauboy claims contestants on Channel 9's top-rating series are given better support and industry head start compared with her TV talent show experience on Australian Idol.

Helping to guide Team Ricky's hopefuls through the battle rounds, the ARIA winner and 2006 Idol runner-up said the kind of "nurturing support" given to contestants on The Voice was "what I needed and never got on Idol."

The Sony artist, who has forged an international career as both an actress (in The Sapphires) and singer/songwriter since her reality show beginnings, said as a shy teenager from Darwin she would have relished the "personal contact" artists on The Voice enjoy with their coaches and mentors.

"Being a nurturing support, the back bone, really seeing eye-to-eye with the artists (on The Voice), it's what I needed and never got on Idol. The judges never personally came and said 'that (performance) was really great. We never had a mentor and so that made it even harder. I was standing there (during Voice mentoring sessions) saying 'they are so lucky.' That personal contact and advice. It was magical. It was a moment of real love of music and being on the same level as everyone in the room."

Her comments were echoed by Team Delta singer Mitchell Steele who placed in the top 24 on Idol in 2008, but revealed after he was voted off that show he "never heard a word from them ever again."

The Queensland-born singer, who was eliminated in his battle with Bondi's Ben Goldstein, was full of praise for his Voice experience despite his disappointment.

Steele tweeted his thanks to his coach Delta Goodrem after his loss was televised last night, writing: "@TheVoiceAU thank you so much for the opportunity! You're the best @DeltaGoodrem thank you!!!"

After she responded with "you're amazing," he replied: "What a beautiful experience, Gooo @bennyg992 (Goldstein)!!!!!"

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell to join Australia's Got Talent replacing Mel B

Geri Halliwell should 'spice' up this year's Australia's Got Talent judging panel. Source: The Daily Telegraph

 

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

 

She made her naughty name slapping Prince Charles on the royal derriere, now Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell has threatened to "smack the bottom'' of her new Australia's Got Talent cohort `King Kyle' Sandilands.

 

It's a cheeky start for the Brit babe who has been officially confirmed as Nine's "Plan (Mel) B'' and the show's final fourth judge, after their first option and Halliwell's pop sister was ruled out of the series reboot by court order last week.

 

Brown was ruled out of the series, after her X Factor bosses at Channel 7 successfully argued she had an existing contract with their network and should not be allowed to jump ship to rival Nine.

 

The legal drama proved costly to Channel 9 who had indemnified Brown from any costs when inking their deal, and had to put its promotion of the new series in limbo until a new star judge could be found.

 

The hasty signing of Halliwell as Brown's replacement was apparently endorsed by the sidelined Spice girl who told A Current Affair she had sought the okay from Scary Spice before taking up the role.

 

"She actually said I just want you to know I think you should do it cause you're gonna have a great time and I love Australia,'' Halliwell said.

 

The 40-year-old singer she was a fan of the format and looked forward to spending time in Sydney for the star search series.

 

"I actually genuinely love the show, you know. I watch Britain's Got Talent and I'm a fan of the show. I think shows like that are brilliant and I love the opportunity they give to normal, everyday people.''

 

Asked what she knew about her controversial judging co-star Sandilands, Halliwell said: "I watched some of his tapes. I watched him being interviewed and I think he's quite a sensitive soul. I don't know, I'll get to know him and suss him out, or should I get him in a headlock?'' she asked Nine's Europe correspondent Peter Stefanovic, who encouraged the latter.

 

She responded: "yeah, I'll give him a smack on the bottom if he gets out of control.''

 

Halliwell is more familiar with fellow Brit and comic, Dawn French, describing her as "a lovely woman and incredibly talented.''

 

The sassy single also has her eyes peeled for hot Aussie men, but knows her favourite, actor Eric Bana, is off limits.

 

"I really think he is fantastic. I quite fancy him, but I think he's married isn't he? Okay, but I hope his wife doesn't mind me saying I think he's incredibly talented and a very attractive man.''

Brooke back as Wonder woman

Wonderland cast members Jessica Tovey, Tim Ross, Brooke Satchwell and Anna Bamford prepare to shoot the 22-part series Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Zoe Nauman, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

It may be the end of the road for Packed to the Rafters but Brooke Satchwell already has a new project lined up - starring in Ten's latest drama Wonderland.

The actor will play the role of uptight and politically correct lawyer Grace Barnes.

"The project has a lovely energy about it, there is quite a beautiful serendipity of things coming together," she says. "It's a very warm, light- hearted look at four couples living in an apartment block by the beach.

"Grace is a very linear, bottled up defamation lawyer, and as you can imagine, she is going to come slightly undone.

"Quite early on she comes across this rather hot South American - Carlos dos Santos (newcomer Glenn McMillan) who shapes her world."The drama, which has been written by Foxtel's Wentworth producer Jo Porter, also stars Michael Dorman (Wild Boys, The Secret Life Of Us, Blood Brothers) as charming bachelor Tom Wilcox.

Jessica Tovey (Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, Mr & Mrs Murder) plays the part of Dani Varvaris, Tim Ross (Neighbours, Rush) plays Steve Beaumont and recent graduate Anna Bamford plays Miranda Beaumont.

The 22-part drama, which will be shot in Sydney, has left Satchwell little time for her personal life - especially her wedding to film editor David Gross.

"Make hay while the sun shines, that's what I say. He (Gross) knows I love him," Satchwell says.

But she says things couldn't have been better timed.

"I will be quite a busy girl with a few things on my plate.

"Post-Rafters I was thinking 'that was a nice run. I can do a bit of gardening, or get the renovations going on the house.' Well that's not happening now, but at least I will be able to pay for them."

Packed to the Rafters actors preparing to leave home

Erik Thomson and Rebecca Gibney, from Packed to the Rafters. Picture: Katrina Tepper Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Zoe Nauman, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

If Packed To The Rafters still has another season left to run, someone has forgotten to tell the actors.

Rumours have swirled around the show's future since star Rebecca Gibney revealed she was developing a new project with Screentime and Channel 7 and the network refused to confirm or deny whether this season would be the last.

Rafters creator Bevan Lee will also be committed to a second season of new drama A Place To Call Home.

Actor Fiona Spence told The Sunday Telegraph her eight-week appearance would be on the "last eight weeks of the show ever".

"I felt it was a great privilege and honour to make a small contribution to a show which has been so phenomenally successful and being in the last eight weeks was very special," she said at Foxtel's Wentworth launch.

Spence is playing Eleanor McCormack, and made her first appearance last week. But yesterday Seven said the show had a while to run yet.

"The No.1 drama in the country is Packed To The Rafters; 1.7 million people watched last week's episode, confirming how much the audience loves the show and as does Channel 7," a spokeswoman said.

"There is no way we would bring this wonderful story to a close. The key creative people are working on the development of the next series."

Spence claimed the decision to finish the show, which lost to Nine's House Husbands at the Logies as most popular drama, was mainly down to the main cast wanting to do new things. "They have done six series and Rebecca, Erik (Thomson) and Michael (Caton) wanted to do other work, so it was up to them," she said.

Carey Mulligan on playing The Great Gatsby's unlikely heroine: Daisy

Carey Mulligan and Leo DiCaprio as Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Picture: Bros Warner Source: Supplied

Vanessa Keys, The Daily Telegraph, reports

It’s mid-November in 2010 and winter is knocking at the door of New York City.

Over at Center548, a 110-year-old warehouse smack-bang in the heart of Chelsea, the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards are in full swing.

Carey Mulligan waits her turn on the reception line, watching Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld (who she is to introduce at the dinner later that evening) tolerate a frenzy of photographers.

Moments before the cameras swing in Mulligan’s direction, she’s surprised by the vision of Baz Luhrmann’s wife, Catherine Martin, walking towards her brandishing a mobile phone.

"Catherine handed me the phone and it… it was Baz,” Mulligan tells me, her voice still solemn with incredulity.

"And he told me I had the part. He said, ‘Hello Daisy.’ And I burst into tears. It was quite a dramatic moment.”

Mulligan’s impersonation of Luhrmann’s lazy drawl is eerie. “Heeeello Daisy,” she repeats, obliging me with an impersonation that has me marvelling at her mimicry.

It’s been 18 months since The Great Gatsby had its last day of filming in Sydney, and just over a year since the shoot wrapped officially, but it’s clear the memories loom large.

Not only because she’s about to dive into a sea of Gatsby-centred magazine shoots, promotional tours and talk show appearances, but because Mulligan tells me she won’t forget. "It was a very intense project,” she says, and her voice indicates I should leave it at that.

Mulligan’s is the classic girl-next-door done good story. Born in 1985 in Westminster, London, Mulligan grew up living in hotels with her brother, mother and father, who moved the family across Germany and Britain while he managed boutique hotels.

She discovered acting at 16 when she saw Henry V starring Kenneth Branagh; at 17 she applied to three London drama schools (three rejection letters duly arrived).

A chance encounter with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes led to Mulligan meeting a casting assistant and, not long after, a try-out to play Kitty Bennet, the younger sister of Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005).

After three auditions, the part was hers. But her real breakout role came in 2009, when she was cast as the impressionable Jenny Mellor in Nick Hornby’s An Education, which earned her an Oscar nomination.

Choice roles followed: the impenetrable Kathy H in Never Let Me Go, erratic extrovert Sissy Sullivan in Shame and Irene in Drive opposite Ryan Gosling.

And then there’s Daisy. Vacuous, shallow Daisy; the unlikely heroine of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby and the catalyst that spurs the five central characters’ hopeless spiral into self-destruction. She’s one of literature’s most contradictory, conflicted enigmas; no wonder Mulligan felt daunted.

“I was terrified,” says Mulligan. “I had two auditions in two days and the first day they asked me to read with Leo (DiCaprio, who had already been cast as Gatsby). They called me again and I had to go in for a screen test with hair and make-up. Honestly, just getting to act with Leo for an hour and a half was pretty amazing. If it had all ended there, I would have been happy.”

Months before the cameras started rolling in Sydney in September 2011, Luhrmann gathered his key players (Mulligan, DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, who plays protagonist Nick, and Joel Edgerton, Daisy’s husband Tom) in New York for a week of workshops.

"Baz organised people to come in and speak with us,” says Mulligan.

"We had lectures on the 1920s and rehearsed scenes and talked a lot.” The cast received folders bulging with character-specific research material, plus iPods loaded with songs and videos. “I’ve never worked with anyone with so much breadth of knowledge,” she says.

Conversations between Mulligan and Luhrmann about how best to play Daisy started early. Mulligan had read the book but didn’t want to watch previous film adaptations. She relied solely on Fitzgerald’s text and research material she’d gathered about the Fitzgeralds, particularly his flamboyant wife Zelda, on whom the character is partly based.

“Daisy was a big departure for me,” says Mulligan. “I’ve never had to play a character who had such a defining ‘look’. She’s definitely been my biggest visual project. I kept remembering something Zelda said, where she referred to Daisy as the ‘cream on top of the bottle’.”

In the book’s first few chapters, Daisy makes a comment about her daughter – “I hope she’ll be a fool; that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” – that’s always struck me as poignant. When I mention this to Mulligan, she adds a new idea: that even in her most selfish moments, Daisy protects her child.

"She’s obviously shallow, she’s obviously fickle, but there’s a social context to why she behaves that way,” Mulligan says. “She was a product of her society.”

Her castmates’ time in Australia may have been painted as a series of sun-drenched parties on yachts (we’re talking about you, Leo), but Mulligan squashes speculation she was involved in the scene.

“I certainly didn’t have a good social life,” she says.

“We had a couple of cast dinners together and Baz and Catherine really looked out for us and wanted us to feel happy and comfortable. But we were filming six days a week and on Sundays everyone was exhausted. Everything was done with a spirit of adventure and fun – that’s how it is when you work with Baz – so there are scenes where you’re encouraged to play, and then there are scenes where everyone just knuckles down. We all felt the weight of responsibility to get this right.”

After months of delay, The Great Gatsby has been selected to open next month’s Cannes Film Festival. A trailer on YouTube has amassed more than nine million hits and critics seem to get more panicky by the day – can Luhrmann pull this off?

Will Gatsby be another Australia? And is Ms Mulligan, an actress who has flown relatively under the radar for eight years, ready to have her face plastered on billboards across the world? Will she be hounded?

“I don’t think so,” she says, as if she actually does think so but doesn’t want to go into it.

“I don’t really look like Daisy. Daisy was this thing that we made up and I wore a wig and had period make-up on and I wore beautiful clothes. I won’t be wearing any of that when I’m walking around London so, you know, I think it will be OK.”

One gets the feeling Mulligan would rather invite the paparazzi round to her house for tea than talk about her private life.

Her musician husband Marcus Mumford, of Mumford & Sons fame, is off-limits – “I’m not comfortable talking about that, sorry” – and when I compliment the clean, traditional silhouettes she chooses for the red carpet, she responds with deathly silence.

She shies away from talking about her nude scenes in Shame, and when asked about previous statements about being too “prudish” to look at her naked body, she chooses her response carefully.

“I just don’t like wearing anything where I feel sort of… insecure,” she says slowly. As for being the centre of attention, she’s finding it easier – just. “I think I’m getting used to it,” she says.

“I’m definitely finding it less nerve-racking. It’s not particularly enjoyable, but it’s not a terrible thing. No more uncomfortable than singing – or dancing in The Great Gatsby.” She laughs. “That was an experience.”

Sharni Vinson eyes more action in Hollywood

Aussie actress Sharni Vinson / Pic: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

With physical roles in Step Up 3D, Blue Crush 2 and Bait already on her CV, stunt-loving starlet Sharni Vinson has a well-thought-out career plan to be Hollywood's next action heroine.

The first step is You're Next, a gritty home invasion flick already dubbed the horror movie of the year ahead of its August release that has the Shire-raised beach babe playing an axe and knife-wielding survivalist.

"Action for me is like second nature," Vinson told Confidential. "I was an athlete growing up and then acting took over. And when I shot Step Up, it was a five and half month period of intense activity.

"It gave me a really clear vision of where I want to go in this business. I do see a gap right now for the next female action star because, you have Angelina (Jolie) and Kate Beckinsale and Jennifer Garner, but they're mums now, so there is a gap for someone younger to come through."s and that's where I'm hoping to go. That's my niche."

Kelly Osbourne on her way to Australia as Ozzy falls off the wagon

 

Kelly Osbourne is on her way to Austraila. Picture: Jason Merritt Source: Getty Images

 

Jonathon Moran, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Kelly Osbourne has boarded her flight and is on her way to Australia.

The daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne is due to fly into Sydney over the weekend to attend a series of events to help relaunch Cleo and to mark her signing as a columnist with the magazine.

"Australia here I come," the purple-haired celebrity tweeted today.

A trip Down Under might be just what the doctor ordered for Osbourne, who will no doubt enjoy a break from international attention surrounding her parents recent troubles.

Ozzy Osbourne recently admitted to falling off the wagon and being back on drink and drugs

Sharon last week said she was "devastated" amid online speculation she and her husband had split.

"The only thing that's true is the Facebook posting that my husband did on his Facebook where he said he's been using alcohol and prescription drugs for the last year-and-a -half," she said in an interview.

"And that he's been an a** and he's been in a very dark place. That's true. That's very true."

Sharon added: "We're not getting divorced. However, am I happy? No. Am I upset? Yes I am. I'm devastated right now."

Home and Away hunk Richard Brancatisano lands Hollywood gig in Chasing Life

Home and Away actor Richard Brancatisano is set to make his name in Hollywood with Chasing Lives. Source: Supplied

Jonathon Moran, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Home and Away actor Richard Brancatisano has landed his first Hollywood gig after his Terminales pilot has been given the go-ahead by America's ABC network.

The show, which has changed its name to Chasing Life, also stars Haley Ramm, Italia Ricci and Mary Page Keller and has been picked up for a 13 episode run from next January.

Brancatisano is known here in Australia for playing Prince Vittorio Seca on Home and Away, and has had roles in Underbelly: Razor and White Collar Blue.

Chasing Life is an adaptation of a Mexican television series and tells the story of a young female newspaper reporter trying to balance her busy life. Brancatisano plays the brooding romantic male lead, Dominic.

Twenty-four years since living back home in Oz, Dannii excited to return

Dannii Minogue arrives in Melbourne / Pic: Splash Source: The Daily Telegraph

Johnathon Moran, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Twenty-four years since Dannii Minogue last lived in Sydney, the new The X Factor judge is looking forward to setting up home here.

With the reality TV production based out of Sydney's Fox Studios, Minogue will be spending a lot more time here in the coming months.

"The last time I lived here was when I did Home and Away, when I was 17," she said. "It is amazing I'm still alive. Entertainment years are like dog years, it is a long time."

Minogue, 41, began her new role on X Factor last week, replacing Mel B on the judging panel. LMFAO’s Redfoo has replaced Guy Sebastian while Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte return to the show for another year.

Bourbon, lucky undies and The Voice

Harrison Craig, a Melbourne singer who overcame a stutter to perform, wows the audience in his blind audition. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: News Limited

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

He captivated a nation and overcame a childhood stutter to soar up the Australian music charts, but The Voice favourite Harrison Craig faces his biggest test yet as the top-rating series begins its battle rounds.

The talented Melbourne teenager will sing for his TV life against Sydney pastor Tim Moxey in Tuesday night's blockbuster opening episode of the now-sudden death competition.

The Team Seal rivals and "nice guys" kick off the next phase of the Logie-winning series, which will be hoping to kick the audience slump it experienced last year, dropping well below its two-million average during the combative sing-off section of the show.

Mentored by Sneaky Sound System's Connie Mitchell, the popera pairing take on Josh Groban's international hit, You Raise Me Up, in another guaranteed goosebump moment of the series.

Producers have added a new twist to keep audience interest high, after fans saw some of their favourites including Mahalia Barnes and Mitchell Thompson eliminated mid-race in the debut season.

This year, each coach will have the chance to save just one singer from a rival team and given just five seconds, under pressure, to make the call.

After three weeks of blind auditions, the superstar coaches mark the competition switch up with a costume change (much to their wardrobe critics relief) and another all-in performance which sets an electric tone to the battle rounds.

While the debate surrounding Abby Dobson's exit continued on social media, another second-chance singer, Simone Stacey, had better luck with her smooth rendition of Etta James' Sentimental Reasons, turning the head and chair of coach Seal.

The 35-year-old, who enjoyed chart success in the noughties with diva duo Shakaya, dedicated her romantic performance to her late grandmother, who recently passed away.

With all four teams of 14 contestants now finalised, some of the best of the bunch have revealed to News Limited the secrets to their success.

Team Ricky rocker Simon Meli has admitted he overcomes any performance anxiety with "a neck of bourbon" and pulling on his lucky undies; while Bondi zen master, Ben Goldstein, on Team Delta, combats nerves "through meditation".

In the survey of each state's best chances, 2012 finalists Karise Eden and Darren Percival emerged as the two contestants who inspired this new generation to sign on for the show.

Asked to nominate their pick for this year's title, the top three "player" favourites emerged as Michael Paynter, Karen Andrews aka Miss Murphy and Harrison Craig, while the dark horses to watch were Mitchell Anderson, Nicholas Roy and Caterina Torres.

Leonardo Di Caprio coming to Great Gatsby Australian premiere

Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in a scene from the film 'The Great Gatsby'. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Leonardo DiCaprio will join his Great Gatsby co-stars Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton and Elizabeth Debicki at the Australian premiere of the film in Sydney on May 22.

The cast, along with director Baz Luhrmann, will walk the red carpet at Hoyts at Fox Studios after the world premiere of the film in New York on May 1, and after attending the Cannes Film Festival, where it is the festival opener, on May 15.

The film's other Aussie star Isla Fisher will not be attending the local premiere.

The film, which was shot in Sydney, opens in Australia on May 30.

Sam Worthington admits: I was a jerk for fight outside restaurant

Sam Worthington admits he was at fault for a fight outside a restaurant in Atlanta. The Aussie star is now concentrating on his next role. File picture: AP Source: AP

Neala Johnson, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Sam Worthington has admitted he was "a jerk" for instigating an incident that ended in his arrest for disorderly conduct in Atlanta, Georgia last year.

The Aussie joined the celebrity mug shot gang after getting into a fight outside a restaurant in November while he was shooting a movie in the city.

"I was a jerk. It was my fault," Worthington told News Limited.

"I've admitted it. I was a jerk, I was in the wrong. Move on. That's it."

Asked if alcohol played a part in the fracas, the actor gave no excuses.

"No, I was an ass!"

Worthington reportedly screamed he was a DEA agent after he was pepper-sprayed outside Vortex Bar and Grill.

He allegedly threatened the doorman who sprayed him, screaming: "I'm a DEA agent! You f***ed up now!"

Police told TMZ that staff said Worthington was intoxicated and unable to provide valid identification.

A witness told authorities that he pushed doorman Jerry Link twice. Mr Link allegedly responded by pepper-spraying the actor and putting him in handcuffs until police arrived.

Worthington, whose new Aussie movie Drift opens on May 2, is on standby for an Avatar sequel.

"Jim (Cameron, director) is still writing it," he said.

"Supposedly end of the year, but they said that last year, so it’s up to the boss. Whenever Jim says, 'Let's go', we're gonna go."

Worthington, 36, is contracted for two more Avatar films and calls the mega franchise his "safety net" as he hunts for a more challenging career path.

Ten, the action thriller he shot in Atlanta with Arnold Schwarzenegger, sees the star transform into a bald, bearded tough guy.

Schwarzenegger last week praised his young co-star for his determination: "He likes to do all his own stunts, he is a go-getter and a great actor," said Arnie, apparently anointing the Australian as a worthy action hero successor.

"Arnold's very nice to say that," Worthington responded. "I got on very well with that guy.

"He's an icon and you shake every day when you see him, because you grew up watching his movies, and going from pumping iron to controlling one of the biggest economies in the world.

"That guy has set out and conquered everything he’s ever wanted to do. So any kind of compliment from Arnold, I'm completely humbled by it."

Pitch Perfect sequel confirmed for 2015

Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp in the comedy, Pitch Perfect. Picture: Universal Pictures Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

Musical comedy Pitch Perfect, which starred Aussie Rebel Wilson, is not ready to retire its vocal cords.

Universal Studios has announced a sequel to the hit movie, and it's assumed Wilson, who starred in the original, will also appear in the follow-up.

The original Glee-esque flick starred Wilson as Fat Amy, whose one-liners and sharp wit shone a gleaming light on the Sydney-born actress.

Wilson recently performed onstage with her Pitch Perfect castmates at the MTV Awards on April 14, which she also hosted.

On the night, the Aussie star revealed she hoped for a follow-up to the feel-good hit. And it seems her dreams have come true, with Universal announcing on Wednesday that a sequel will be released in 2015.

Screenwriter Kay Cannon will return to pen the follow-up, but the cast for the sequel has not yet been confirmed.

However, it will be a surprise if Wilson, who led the laughs the first time around, does not resurrect her role.

Pitch Perfect garnered $US112 million ($A109 million) around the world when it was released in 2012, a shocking figure considering its tame $US17 million ($A16.56 million) budget.

Dry musical's a big splash

The Block's Amity Dry is also a playwright Source: Supplied

The Sunday Telegraph reports

The Block's Amity Dry (pictured) is heading to New York, not to do any home renovations but as a playwright.

Dry's musical, Mother, Wife, Complicated Life, has been selected to be part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in July.

She's touring the show around Australia and will play Sydney's Seymour Centre from May 23.

Dry and husband Phil Rankine have also signed on as ambassadors for this year's annual Home Food & Wine Weekend, appearing at the Entertainment Quarter event from May 17 to 19.

Not such a Great week for Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue / Pic: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Annette Sharp, The Daily Telegraph, reports

IT appears director Baz Luhrmann is having some kind of catharsis. In an exhausting week during which The Great Gatsby director has had his shoulder to the grindstone in a final almighty push to promote his upcoming eagerly anticipated cinematic release, Luhrmann has twice bitten the bullet and done things associates believe to be out of character.

The first was to list his magnificent Darlinghurst house, Iona, for sale for $15 million - something no one, it seems, foresaw.

The second was to pack a bag and fly to Las Vegas - the equivalent to the culturally enlightened Luhrmann of drinking a kryptonite martini.

Lurid, tacky, soulless Vegas was essential because Luhrmann's latest film extravaganza, which opens the Cannes Film Festival on May 15 six months after the deadline on the original delivery date lapsed, opens in the US on May 1. Film reviews being what they are, Luhrmann knows better than most that those early US reviews could spell disaster or success for his latest $127 million+ labour of love.

Then on Wednesday, during a monster week of interviews - some of which weren't for the film but

were for myriad prestige consumer product lines attached to it - Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin dropped their guard on their non-traditional relationship.

The pair were in Tiffany's Fifth Ave flagship store in New York to unveil a luxurious 1920s styled jewellery collection created to capitalise on the film's release when, during a media breakfast, Luhrmann and his talented wife opened up about the remarkable collaboration that has survived 25 years and the odd rumour.

Asked to reveal the secrets of their fruitful relationship, Martin stated frankly: "Fighting in the bathroom."

Luhrmann elaborated: "We fight a lot. All the time."

This hardly come as a surprise to those of us who have watched the couple closely for the past decade and noted with interest earlier admissions that they keep separate bedrooms.

"He says I'm the violent one," Martin added. "Abuse goes both ways. We're equal."

Luhrmann, whom Martin once described as the "fire" in their creative relationship, admitted he, probably unhelpfully, laughs when her temper flares.

"When she starts getting angry, I start to laugh. I can't help it. I don't mean to do it," he said.

One can well imagine how much pressure this marriage is under at the moment. The couple's reputations, careers and, rumour has it, finances are bound to Gatsby.

As husband and wife, or director and artistic designer, it has always been thus. They put it all on the line every time they work together.

For years now, Luhrmann and Martin have been eating, sleeping and, one assumes, fighting over Gatsby just as they presumably did over their other over-budget/over deadline films Australia and Moulin Rouge.

Is it any wonder they withdrew their house from the property market mid-week? Talk about biting off more than you can chew. They hardly needed all of Sydney speculating about their motives for selling the house that had has been their home base for 18 years. So great has their love affair been with the property, they finally bought it in 2006 after renting it for nine years.

Now real estate agents say the couple are selling to "separate" their business and personal lives. "Separate" - not the best choice of words.

"We've been together for 25 years and we still fight over the same things," Martin told USA Today this week in an admission that would indicate the couple, like most, have their dependable trigger points.

"One time we were having a heated argument and I threw a glass on the ground and Baz says, 'CM, you know what I love about you? You never change.'"