LATEST NEWS…PARIS HILTON'S STAR ATTRACTION: Star Casino's Marquee Club launch attracted celebrities galore from all around the world including Ashley Simpson, Slash, Aussie's Jodi Gordon and Sharni Vinson and her Twilight boyfriend Kellan Lutz and LMFAO members to name a few. However it was serial socialite Paris Hilton who stole the show, mingling with party goers and hitting headlines for various reasons. Hilton was also spotted frolicking around Bondi Beach and shopping in Sydney over the weekend. Almost 1000 celebrity and VIP guests attended the launch while DJ Afrojack and LMFAO's RedFoo performed live at the event. The launch comes on the back of recent troubles within Star Casino over the sacking of former boss Sid Vaikunta. Sydney may be far away from the bright lights and glitzy lifestyle of Hollywood, but that didn't stop the celebs from gathering in their droves. Here's hoping the Club does well…ONE DIRECTION GO GLOBAL: UK and Irish boy band One Direction have gone global with their debut album making American music history by going to number one in the Billboard top 200 chart. The five-piece, who came third in The X Factor UK in 2010, have long tasted success in Europe but the teen heart-throbs have now taken the world by storm. Their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" was released in November 2011 and peaked at number one in the UK and their debut album followed in November selling 138,631 copies making it the fastest selling debut album on the UK Charts in 2011. The lads will make their Australian debut with a performance at the 2012 Logie Awards in Melbourne on April during their sold out Australian tour. It just goes to show you don't need to win these big talent shows to have success, and I wish the boys every success in the future…RIP JIM STYNES: Jim Stynes has passed away following a three year battle with cancer. The former Melbourne football legend passed away in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family and friends. A State funeral was held in St Pauls Cathedral in Melbourne for the footie legend and a massive crowd gathered at Federation Square to bid a fond farewell to the icon. Stynes was remembered as a generous, loving, and caring man who was a constant inspiration to his family, friends and the public. Debuting in the Australian Football League in 1987, he played a league record of 244 consecutive games between 1987 and 1998. He served as President of the Melbourne Football from 2008, and despite being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2009, he continued to work during his treatment for brain metastasis. RIP a True Football great…BEN COUSINS ON DRUG CHARGES: Former AFL star Ben Cousins is back in Perth after being released on bail following his arrest in Esperance Airport for drug charges. Cousins is best known for his 270 game career with West Coast and Richmond in the Australian Football League. During his eleven years with West Coast, earning him several of the league's highest individual awards including a Brownlow Medal and Most Valuable Player, Cousins has also been listed as one the top 50 players of all time by journalist Mike Sheahan. His football career has been marred by highly publicised incidents involving recreational drug use, traffic convictions and association with criminal elements. Cousins stated that he "has nothing to say at this time" to the waiting media at Perth Airport. He was arrested at Esperance Airport after being charged with possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply…EXTRA PROTECTION FOR COWELL: Simon Cowell has added more bodyguards to his already 24-7 protection team following a break-in to his London home. British newspaper 'The Sun' states that the X Factor boss was confronted by a female intruder wielding a brick when he went to investigate a noise in his home. It is believed that Leanne Zaloumis, 29, of Catford, South East London, was found by armed police hiding on a seven foot shelf in Cowell's wardrobe. Zaloumis appeared in court charged with aggravated burglary with intent of GBH. Luckily no one was harmed in the incident…HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAGA: Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Lady Gaga has recently announced that she will no longer speak to the media during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. The pop star who turned 26 during the week told Winfrey that she plans to go on a media blackout during the coming months. "Other than this interview Oprah, I do not intend on speaking to anyone for a very long time.. No press, no television." Gaga has one of the most loyal fan bases in the music industry but despite her roaring success she has never been devoured by the fame monster. Gaga has created some of the most crazed and bizarre media explosions in recent years, be it from outrageous meat dresses or hatching from an egg on the red carpet, the world is going to be a quiet place if she succeeds in her media blackout. Nevertheless the world will watch in anticipation…MEGAN FOX PREGNANT?: According to reports in the USA, actress Megan Fox is expecting her first baby with husband Brian Austin Green. The couple are reportedly thrilled, a source told America's Star magazine "They just found out and are incredibly excited." The source added "It's still early, so they are only telling family members and close friends." The Transformers actress already has some parenting skills as she is stepmother to husband Brian's nine year old son Kassius. Fox and Green married in a private ceremony in Hawaii in June 2010. The insider also added that Fox is thrilled to be expecting a child of her own. "Megan used to only be concerned with her career, but now her family comes first." If the reports are true, a huge congratulations to you both…VICTORIA BECKHAM LIKE YOU AND ME: Victoria Beckham has claimed that her super slim figure matches that of the general public. The average British female sports size is a sixteen but despite this, the former Spice Girl (whose diet consists of steamed fish and raw vegetables and easily fits into a size six dress) claims she represents the general public. It's fairly evident that the star may used to fit that physique during her Spice Girl days sporting a healthy ten to twelve dress size. But in recent years her dieting and weight has made her one of the leanest women in Hollywood. The star who gave birth to her fourth child in July, last showed off her toned body in a recent Harpers Bazaar Magazine shoot for swim wear. The fashion designer is so convinced that she represents the norm that she has started basing her designs on her own measurements and has replaced models with her own body when it comes to fitting dresses for her clothing line…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA: The name Pattie Mallette may not ring a bell with most people, but the twitter world has exploded with "Happy Birthday Pattie" trending worldwide. Mallette is Justin Bieber's mother and the millions of Beliebers around the world have taken to social networking sites to wish her well on her birthday. Raising Bieber as a single mother, she has stood by her son through his whole career and is a driving force behind all his success. Justin's fans seem very grateful with the woman responsible for him with messages like "Happy Birthday Pattie. Thanks for giving birth to the sexiest creature on earth," and more genuine messages like "Happy Birthday Pattie. You've created and raised a beautiful son. He has turned from a boy to a young man. You did a good job." So I'll jump on the bandwagon here Happy Birthday Pattie Mallette…
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STEEL MAGNOLIAS...fragile as flowers, strong as steel

The heart-warming story of friendship, love and life will begin a new stage life in Sydney from June 5 to 28 in the York Theatre at The Seymour Centre, followed by a 23-week Australian tour.

With over 150 performances scheduled, the show will tour to 30 venues with a fully functioning hair dressing salon set. The production will cover 30,000 km's travelling to cities including Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Launceston, Rockhampton, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.

A luminous cast of Australia's favourite actors has been selected to portray six funny and fabulous women in the American South including Ana Maria Belo, Jennifer Hagan, Debra Lawrance, Marian Frizelle, Geraldine Turner and Jacki Weaver.

Robert Harling ('Soapdish', 'First Wives Club'), whose creation went from off-Broadway play to worldwide smash hit movie in only three years, will attend the Sydney opening on Saturday June 6. His play was written as a cathartic tribute to his sister, whom he'd lost to Type 1 Diabetes, and the story is that of his own family. He will also appear as a special guest 'In Conversation' at the Sydney Writers Festival on May 22.

"The play's theme is that life must go on" says Director Darren Yap "and although the seasons pass with different challenges these six 'steel magnolias' withstand the hardships of life through enduring friendship and wonderful humour."

Set entirely in the local hair and beauty salon of a small Louisiana town, 'Steel Magnolias' follows the lives of six women who all have dynamic personalities including wise-cracking beauty salon proprietor Truvy Jones who firmly believes that 'there is no such thing as natural beauty'. Truvy will be played by one of Australia's best loved and most respected performers - Jacki Weaver.

Truvy's new 'glamour technician' is the mysterious newcomer to town Annelle Dupuy and will be bought to life by Ana Maria Belo whose television credits include 'All Saints', 'Home and Away' and 'White Collar Blue'. Salon regular and elegant widow of the former town mayor is millionaire Clairee Belcher and will be portrayed by Jennifer Hagan a NIDA graduate who has acted in companies throughout Australia mainly MTC and STC. It is the unlikely friendship between Clairee and the sharp tongued, cantankerous, retired, divorcee and town eccentric Ouiser Boudreaux that inspire many hilarious one-liners. With a bark that is worse than her bite, Ousier will be brought to life by Geraldine Turner.

Over the past three decades Geraldine has firmly established herself as a public favourite and a consummate performer. Following in the footsteps of Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts, who began their careers playing the role of Shelby, will be Marian Frizelle. Since graduating in 2006 from the Australian Actors Centre, Marian has lived between Sydney and Los Angeles. She is an exciting newcomer to the Australian stage and one to watch. Playing M'Lynn the town social worker and mother of Shelby is one of Australia's favourite TV mum's Debra Lawrance, perhaps best known for her 8-year role as Pippa on 'Home and Away'.

The last professional production of Steel Magnolias staged in Australia was in 1988 starring Nancye Hayes, Genevieve Lemon, Maggie Dence, Pat McDonald, Melissa Jaffer and then newcomer Nicole Kidman as Shelby.

Producers: Blackbird Productions, Director: Darren Yap, Designer: Graham MacLean, Lighting Designer: Bernie Tan, Incidental Music: David Shrubsole, Sound Designer: Paul Hitchens

Originally produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, 1987 (Kyle Kenick, Artistic Director)

York Theatre, Seymour Centre: 5-28 June (Tues-Sat 8pm*, Matinees: Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm)
*Saturday 6 June is a 7.00pm performance

BOOKINGS
Book at Ticketek: 1300 795 012 or ticketek.com.au
Seymour Centre Box Office: (02) 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com.au
VIP, Hotel & Dining packages: 1300 4 SHOWS or www.showbiz.com.au

Robert Harling will also appear in conversation at the Sydney Writers' Festival on May 22 www.swf.org.au

For your chance to win one of TWO double passes to the 9 June performance of 'Steel Magnolias', simply name one of the cast members. Winners will be notified via email. Good luck!

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Answer:

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