TIVOLI: the Making of a Dance Musical

Following the intense making of a Graeme Murphy's dance musical which unites the creative resources of Australia's two premiere dance companies, the Australian Ballet and the Sydney Dance Company. Through its process and with its creators and artists, we pay tribute to the rich heritage of the Tivoli Circuit - an era of variety theatre which helped to shape Australia's cultural identity, from the 1890's until the last show in 1966 - Ironically television was responsible for killing off the Tivoli but this program brings it all back to life again complete with feathers, dancing girls, a 3 meter high set of legs, the Colossal Spartacus Brothers and even bare breasted ladies who, for many Australian men in those days, where their first brush with nudity. There is an element of nostalgia to the production as the actress Toni Lamond recalls her experiences and laments the loss of opportunity for today's live variety acts. But any nostalgia and sadness is mixed with happiness as some of the original Tivoli dancers travel back to the rehearsal room to re tell, and relive, their glory days with all the young dancers involved.