Lorinda May Merrypor to lead ‘&Juliet’ for Australia
It’s one of the biggest roles in musical theatre and the search is finally over…we have found our Australian Juliet!
Lorinda May Merrypor will take on her first starring role when the international smash hit opens exclusively in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre this February!
Director Luke Sheppard shared, “The moment we met Lorinda we knew she had something very special. Her extraordinary voice with its distinct pop sensibility blew us away, but it was her remarkable magnetism and power as a storyteller that made it clear she would be Australia’s ‘Juliet’.”
A proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander woman hailing from Rockhampton, Merrypor is ecstatic to inhabit this empowered reimagining of Shakespeare’s famed character:
“Ever since I could walk or talk it’s been my dream to perform a role like Juliet. When I got the call I burst into tears, just so overwhelmed that I have the opportunity to play such a strong and passionate female lead. I’ve grown up listening to Ariana Grande, Britney Spears and Katy Perry and I’m beyond excited that I will get to sing these iconic pop anthems night after night. I’m also excited to represent my First Nations community and the generations of storytellers that make me who I am as a performer.”
Most recently staring as Ti Moune in Altitude Theatres Once On This Island, Lorinda previously starred as Julie McRae in HIT Productions National Tour of The Sapphires. Prior to that she was seen in the Australian premier productions of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical with the Michael Cassel Group and American Idiot with Shake’n’Stir in 2017.
Since graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2016 Lorinda has been involved in play readings and developments with Belvoir Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, Antipodes Theatre Company and QPAC.
Lorinda’s other credits include: Mimi Marquez in Rent (Qld Con), Guest Artist: Broadway On The Dock (BackDock Arts), Rhonda Burchmore on Broadway (Queensland Pops Orchestra), Women in Voice (Lock&Hock Productions) and many others!
For more information about this production visit the official ticketing website.
