Ashleigh Rubenach

We are excited to announce that stage star Ashleigh Rubenach will be joining us at Woolworths Carols in the Domain for the first time!A Sydney girl, Ashleigh graduated from the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre in 2014.  While training, she played such roles as 'Mary Lane' in Reefer Madness, and received the Warnock Award for Most Promising Student in 2013. A graduate of the Talent Development Project, Ashleigh studied and performed in New York City as a recipient of the 2015 TDP/ASCAP Bound for Broadway Scholarship, and in the same year was a top six finalist of the ANZ Trustees Rob Guest Endowment. Ashleigh was invited to return to the US in 2016 to headline a concert for ASCAP's 'Broadway Tomorrow' series in Washington, DC.   Ashleigh made her professional theatre debut in Gordon Frost Organisation/Opera Australia’s 2015 national tour of Anything Goes, in the role of ‘Hope Harcourt’. She then toured Australia with the production of The Sound of Music, in which she understudied and performed the role of ‘Maria’ numerous times.  Most recently, Ashleigh toured with the production of My Fair Lady, directed by Julie Andrews.

Todd McKenney

Welcome back to Carols - Todd McKenney!One of Australia’s most versatile performing artists, Todd McKenney is an award winning and critically acclaimed performer on stage and screen. As an actor and the leading man of song and dance in musical theatre productions, he has entertained Australia for over 30 years from main stage to intimate venues. As a radio and television host, and the sometimes outspoken judge,  he has shared his personality, humour and passions with us.   It’s not surprising that Todd is a household name. We can't wait to see the moves he brings to the Domain in 2018!

The Wiggles

The Wiggles have recently celebrated 27 years of entertaining millions of fans across the globe. They now have more than 385,000 social media followers and have sold over 30 million CDs & DVDs and 8 million books.  More than 70 CD and DVD releases later, The Wiggles have earned 18 x gold, 12 x platinum, 3 x double-platinum and 10 x multi-platinum awards for their music and DVD sales and have been awarded 13 x ARIA Awards for Best Children’s Album (making ARIA history as the most awarded ARIA winner in the one category, and being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame).

Samantha Jade

Since taking out the 2012 X Factor Australia win, Australia's sweetheart Samantha Jade has gone on to amass a total 81 million streams, released a single with Pitbull ('Shake That'), starred as Kylie Minogue in the Network Seven TV Miniseries 'The INXS Story' for which she was nominated for a LOGIE Award, and released her debut album NINE.  Having recently returned back to Australia, Samantha Jade recently released her spectacular 3rd studio album 'Best of My Love', a shimmering homage to the disco era, topping the ARIA charts in April and has just completed her ‘Best of My Love - Live’ national tour to sold-out audiences. Samantha’s Christmas album 'The Magic of Christmas' was released on the 2nd November 2018.

Penny McNamee

Penny McNamee is one of Australia’s most versatile actresses, forging an impressive career in all facets of the entertainment industry. Penny currently stars as Tori Morgan in HOME AND AWAY, a role which saw her nominated for a Logie Award. She returns this year for her second time performing at Carols In The Domain. 

Isaiah Firebrace

Welcome back to the Domain - Isaiah Firebrace! In the past two years, the talented teen has transformed from a small town singer with big dreams, to one of Australia’s most successful artists.  Along the way he’s won The X Factor, was signed to Sony Music, released a debut single that charted all over the world notching up over 140 million international streams, he supported the incredible Jessica Mauboy on her Australian tour, and represented Australia in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, which amassed over 250 Million views, where he finished in the top 10. All that at just 17 years of age. 

Mickey Mouse

A global icon and true original, Disney’s Mickey Mouse will be bringing his characteristic exuberance and a touch of Disney magic to Carols again this year, in celebration of his 90th anniversary. An internationally accomplished entertainer, actor and dancer, he is capable of nearly anything, charming audiences of all ages for the past 90 years. He is often busy welcoming his Guests at the Disney Parks, performing for fans, or spending time with his friends and we’re beyond excited to see his cheeky antics on the Carols stage again.

Troy Cassar-Daley

Troy Cassar-Daley has come a long way from the twelve year old boy from Grafton busking on Peel St at the Tamworth Country Music Festival -- all the way to the Domain! Throughout his thirty years of making music, Troy has been awarded numerous accolades including 4 ARIAs, 36 Golden Guitars, 2 APRA Country Song of the Year awards, 9 Deadlys (Australian Indigenous Artist Awards), 4 CMAA Entertainer of the Year awards plus 2 NIMAs. In 2017 Troy was honoured as the 50th inductee into the prestigious Australasian Roll Of Renown. With numerous gold and platinum records, Troy has achieved a staggering 31 number 1 chart singles, all of which are collected on his new compilation album Greatest Hits – along with signature album tracks and two brand new TCD originals.

Thirsty Merc

These Aussie legends are joining the lineup at Woolworths Carols in the Domain for the first time! Thirsty Merc formed in Sydney in 2002 releasing their debut EP, First Work, in September 2003, before being signed to Warner Music. The bands big break came in 2004 with the release of their debut, self-titled, album which included the hits, Someday Someday and In The Summertime (the theme for Bondi Rescue since 2006).     Three more studio albums followed - Slideshows in 2007 (#4 ARIA Album) and Mousetrap Heart in 2010 (#14 on the ARIA Album chart) which included radio staples, 20 Good Reasons, Mousetrap Heart and Tommy and Krista. Their latest release, Shifting Gears, their first wholly independent and first new material in five years, was released in 2015.

Ross Wilson

Give a warm welcome to Ross Wilson - joining us in the Domain in 2018! From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock and as a solo artist with no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits to his credit as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most awarded, respected and well-known artists!  From the legendary band Daddy Cool whose number one anthem Eagle Rock smashed all previous sales records in Australia, to the 1977 formation of Mondo Rock, delivering 80’s hits ‘Cool World’, ‘State of The Heart’, ‘Chemistry’, ‘No Time’, and ‘Come Said The Boy’ and into the 21st century as a solo performer, Wilson has never been out of the limelight. Twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Wilson has written hits for Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham and Joe Cocker, and produced smash hit albums for Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, Skyhooks and Screaming Jets. Come Back Again to see an absolute solid gold legend of rock and his full band ‘The Peaceniks’ perform all his hits! 

Paulini

Paulini is back in the Domain! With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Paulini is one of Australia’s most uniquely talented performers. The Fijian-born singer songwriter first enthralled the nation on the inaugural series of ‘Australian Idol’. Audiences instantly fell in love with Paulini’s impressive five octave range – a voice still unrivalled, and like no other in this country. Since then Paulini has forged a hugely successful career. Originally hailing from humble roots, her rise to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. Her debut album ‘One Determined Heart’ and smash single ‘Angel Eyes’ achieved double platinum status, both hitting the #1 spot. She is still one of only 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album on the Australian ARIA Charts. Most recently, Paulini was announced to play the lead role of Rachel Marron in the international award-winning musical, The Bodyguard, throughout Australia. The shows commenced at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in April 2017 and will be touring all metro cities around the country until February 2018. Now back in Australia, looking and sounding more incredible than ever, Paulini is excited to be embarking on her theatrical debut and sharing her voice yet again with her fans and new audiences here in Australia and internationally. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

We are so excited to welcome the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Woolworths Carols in the Domain  The spectacular new musical Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Australia and will be playing only in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre from 5 January 2019.  Four boys will share the role of Charlie Bucket in this delicious tale, Oliver Alkhair (11 years of age, from Panania), Tommy Blair (11, Engadine), Xion Jarvis (9, Burwood Heights) and Ryan Yeates (13, Canada Bay). Charlie lives with his mother and his four grandparents in a little wooden house near a great town, and is the final child to find a Golden Ticket.  Willy Wonka, the most amazing, fantastic, extraordinary chocolate maker the world has ever seen, will be played by Paul Slade Smith. Slade Smith is currently appearing in the Broadway revival of My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center, and was part of the original Broadway cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, appearing as Grandpa George.  These plus a slew of other favourites of the stage will be taking up roles in the musical in 2019!

Mark Vincent

Singing from the age of 15, Mark Vincent has gone on to become one of Australia’s most beloved tenors, having released eight consecutive #1 ARIA Classical Crossover Albums, and having earned accolades both nationally and internationally. Vincent’s last album, A Tribute To Mario Lanza, contains the ground breaking ‘virtual duet’ of ‘Because You’re Mine’ with the Hollywood legend. The ‘duet’ made headlines and received the patronage of Mario Lanza’s daughter, Ellisa Lanza Bregman, who gave permission for the re-recoding of the ‘virtual duet’ and said, “I’m pleased to allow my father’s recoded voice to be joined on this historic recording by the exciting young tenor, Mark Vincent.” Like Lanza, Mark grew up in a family with strong Italian traditions and heritage and has always been inspired by the legendary Italian tenor. Tribute debuted at #3 on the ARIA Album Charts, and at #1 on the ARIA Classical Crossover Charts. The album went on to be the highest selling ARIA Classical Crossover album of 2017. Turning his focus to Musical Theatre, in 2014 Mark Vincent made his debut in the Australian production of Dirty Dancing, which played 130 shows around the country. In June 2016, Dame Julie Andrews, DBE cast Mark in her production of My Fair Lady, which toured nationally with Opera Australia to rave reviews. Vincent concluded a stellar 2017 with a national headline tour, followed by a sold-out tour of the UK with international soprano Katherine Jenkins, performing in iconic venues including Royal Albert Hall in London. This year has seen Mark perform in Ireland with Tommy Fleming whilst preparing his debut album The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year for the festive season. This will be Mark’s ninth album... an impressive feat for a recently turned 25-year-old. 

Jack Jones

Jack’s back!  After more than a decade in America, Jack Jones has returned home.  Jack was still a teenager when he found fame in Southern Sons, who became one of the most loved Australian bands of the ’90s, with hits such as‘Heart In Danger’, ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’, ‘You Were There’, ‘Always And Ever’, ‘Waiting For That Train’ and ‘Lead Me To Water’. One of Australia’s most talented singers and guitarists, Jack relocated to the US after three albums with Southern Sons – 1990’s self-titled set, 1992’s Nothing But The Truth and 1996’s Zone. The ARIA-nominated Southern Sons album went double platinum, hit number five on the ARIA charts, and featured four singles – ‘Heart In Danger’, ‘Always And Ever’, ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’ and ‘The World Is Mine’.  After Southern Sons finished, Jack did an album with INXS’s Garry Gary Beers (2000’s Mudhead), and released the acclaimed solo album, The Evolution of Irwin Thomas, in 2002. Jack returned to the Top 10 in 2017 with California Dreaming, a collaboration with Rick Price.  Jack has also toured and played his own Signature Series Shabat guitar with John Farnham, Dweezil Zappa, Tina Arena, Daniel Bedingfield and Richard Marx, and has been a member of the bands Electric Mary and She Said Yes (with Bachelor Girl’s Tania Doko). 

Matt Lee

Matt is thrilled to be a part of the incredible cast of the 2018 Woolworths Carols in the Domain! Matt Lee is a leading International dance and musical theatre personality and choreographer who has starred in television and stage productions all over the world from a young age.  Matt’s performance career so far has spanned 25 years, playing roles in such shows as RENT, Grease: The Arena Spectacular, Oh! What a Night, Miss Saigon, Hot Shoe Shuffle, The Witches of Eastwick, Hugh Jackman's: The Boy From OZ, Singin' in the Rain and We Will Rock You.  Matt is perhaps best known for Helpmann Award winning performance in the role of Bert for Disney and Cameron Macintosh's production of Mary Poppins in Australia, New Zealand and on the UK. When not in the cast of a musical, Matt can be found on stage with fellow Australian leading men Ben Mingay, Luke Kennedy, Rob Mills and Michael Falzon in Swing On This, a show of reworked classic swing and popular music arranged for an 18 piece big band. Matt is often recognised in Australia for his Logie-nominated role on the judging panel for the TV series So You Think You Can Dance Australia – a show on which he also served as a key choreographer. Behind the scenes, Matt has also worked in a creative capacity with Paula Abdul, Hugh Jackman and Ben Elton. He has choreographed for artists such as Hilary Duff, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Human Nature and Ricky Martin and TV shows including The Voice AU and Australia's Got Talent as well as The TV Week Logie Awards, The AACTA's and The Helpmann's.

The Tap Pack

The Tap Pack is a modern Rat Pack with World Class Tap, and have been wowing audiences both in Australia and internationally. They have just finished sold out performances at one of Australia’s most iconic venues - The Sydney Opera House, earning them rave reviews and critical acclaim; with the Sydney Morning Herald calling The Tap Pack "scintillating" and "tremendous" and their "high energy performance a winner”. Prior to this The Tap Pack made their “electrifyingly electric” debut on the London’s West End at the Peacock Theatre. The Pack also won the “Spirit of the Fringe” award at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and performed return seasons in Berlin, Germany. Mixing up the classics, serving up songs with a fresh new twist of tap, The Tap Pack delivers “knockout performances”, “sheer brilliance” and “genuinely breath-catching” performances and they are excited to now be part of the Carols in the Domain.

Artist Announcement

Our 2019 artist announcements will commence in October. Check back for regular updates and be sure to like our Facebook Page to keep up with the star studded action. 

Rachael Beck

One of Australia's leading performers and educators, Rachael Beck is a multi-faceted, award - winning powerhouse whose talents span across stage and screen, as both an acclaimed vocal artist and actress. Rachael Beck is widely remembered for her award-winning role as Belle opposite Hugh Jackman in Beauty and the Beast, which won the 1996 ARIA Award for the Best Australian Soundtrack/Cast/Show Release.  Her outstanding credits include her Green Award nominated performance as 'Fantine' in Les Miserables and 'Rumpleteaser' in Cats, both produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Previously appearing as ‘Lisa Parker’ in Home & Away, Rachael’s screen credits include City Homicide, Stingers, Mercury, The Feds, This Man This Woman, GP, Flying Doctors, and Hey Dad. She also appeared in the film Ocean Boulevard and as a professional singer in Channel 7’s It Takes Two.  Late 2018 will see Rachael starring at the STC for the Wharf Review.

Todd McKenney

A household name in Australia, Todd McKenney’s versatile career has spanned three decades and shows no sign of slowing down. Already known as Australia’s leading man of song and dance musicals, he was also the ‘colourful’ and often controversial judge on the Channel 7 hit series ‘Dancing With the Stars’. No stranger to the stage, Todd has starred in stage shows with lead roles in Cats, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Camelot, Cabaret, Singin’ In The Rain, The Boy From Oz and more recently Annie the Musical and Anything Goes (just to name a few). At last years Carols, Todd made an ‘on stage surprise’ as a stand in for blue Wiggle Anthony- we wonder what tricks Todd might have up his sleeve this year! Todd’s outstanding on-stage presence will shine brightly on the Woolworths Carols In The Domain stage no matter what he does and we can’t wait to see his dancing AND singing talents! 

Justice Crew

They’ve got the moves, they’ve got the music and most importantly, they’ve got the drive. Comprising of John, Samson, Lukas and Paulie, Justice Crew have been busy this year touring nationally on their ‘Pop Dat Buckle Tour’. Up until then they have sold in excess of 1.8 million units in Australia and are no strangers to topping the chats. In 2012, they release their #1 ARIA single “Boom Boom” and backed it up with two more ARIA Top 10 hits in “Everybody” and “Best Night”. In 2014 they did it all over again with the song “Que Sera”, taking top spot for a record nine weeks on the ARIA singles chart. With word out there that they’ve recorded a couple more songs, we’re excited to see what 2018 brings for them. However, first things first, we’re even more excited to see a dynamic performance of theirs at Woolworths Carols in the Domain!

Big T

From the moment 24-year-old Big T stepped onto The XFactor stage, Australia embraced the loveable singer. Straight from the mines of W.A. Big T's appearance on X Factor 2015 catapulted the star into Australia's living rooms and cemented the singer a number 4 placement in the competition. At present, Big T’s diary continues to be filled with performances nationally and internationally, and most exciting of all, he’s been working with some of the country’s best producers on his solo music material, which is set to hit the market in 2018. His ability to move between music genres is still so surprisingly amazing and we can’t wait to see his take on the Christmas songs we all know and love.

Penny McNamee

Penny McNamee is one of Australia’s most versatile actresses, forging an impressive career in many facets of the entertainment industry. Penny currently stars as Tori Morgan in HOME AND AWAY, a role which saw her nominated for a Logie Award earlier this year. Penny is also an accomplished star of musical theatre, originating the role of Nessarose in WICKED – for which she won a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Female in a Musical. Penny has been a Woolworths Carols in the Domain fan for many years and we’re so excited to welcome her to the stage for her very first time

Samantha Jade

Samantha Jade is no stranger to the Woolworths Carols in the Domain stage and we are so happy to have her back! Since taking out the 2012 X Factor Australia win, Samantha Jade has gone on to amass a staggering 81 million streams, released a single with Pitbull (‘Shake That’), starred as Kylie Minogue in the Network Seven TV Miniseries ‘The INXS Story’ for which she was nominated for a LOGIE Award, and released her debut album NINE. Samantha Jade has also had an ongoing guest starring role in Australian iconic TV Series, Home & Away, and launched her debut cosmetic collection with Models Prefer through Priceline in Australia - with it’s third range on it’s way! Earlier this year, Samantha undertook her debut UK tour where she had been invited to perform with Brian McFadden (Westlife) and Keith Duffy (Boyzone) across a series of European dates. Having recently returned back to Australia, Samantha Jade is presently in the studio recording her brand new album set for release next year. A force to be reckoned with, we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us this year in the Domain.

The Wizard of Oz

With it premier in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre in November, we can expect to see ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in Sydney from the 30th of December and Adelaide and Melbourne in early 2017. But before the rest of their shows, the ‘Wizard of Oz’ cast are set and ready to perform to us on Woolworths Carols in the Domain. Their highly anticipated performance that includes leading musical theatre stars Anthony Warlow, Jemma Rix and Lucy Durack including rising star Samantha Dodemaide is going to bring so much magic to our stage this year. Click your ruby read heels together with a hint of Christmas cheer and prepare yourself for this spectacular performance.

Jersey Boys

We are so excited to be having the Jersey Boys perform at this year’s Carols in the Domain. The highly anticipated show will be opening its curtains for the Australian premiere at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in September 2018. Stepping into the illustrious shoes of the charismatic singer Frankie Valli is Bernard Angel, who played Joe Pesci in the original Australian production. He will be joined by Cameron MacDonald as Tommy DeVito, Thomas McGuane as Bob Gaudio making his career debut after graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts and Glaston Toft, reprising his celebrated portrayal of the band’s musical marvel Nick Massi. JERSEY BOYS tells the true-life story of four guys from the wrong side of the tracks, the rise to stardom of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, one of the most successful bands in pop music history. The band sold more than 175 million records and were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame for their worldwide hits, including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby, Sherry and Big Girl’s Don’t Cry, which all feature in the musical. We can’t wait to have a ‘Christmassy’ taste of the Jersey Boys on our stage in December- what a treat!

Ashleigh Rubenach

A Sydney girl, Ashleigh graduated from the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre in 2014.  While training, she played such roles as 'Mary Lane' in Reefer Madness, and received the Warnock Award for Most Promising Student in 2013.  Ashleigh made her professional theatre debut in Gordon Frost Organisation/Opera Australia’s 2015 national tour of Anything Goes, in the role of ‘Hope Harcourt’. She then toured Australia with the production of The Sound of Music, in which she understudied and performed the role of ‘Maria’ numerous times.  Most recently, Ashleigh toured with the production of My Fair Lady, directed by Julie Andrews.

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole are undoubtedly the quintessential (yet never consummated) sweethearts of Australian country music. Eight time CMAA Toyota Golden Guitar winner and multiple ARIA Award nominee, Adam Harvey, is one of Australia’s most popular and enduring country stars having released 8 studio albums. The accolades Adam has received over his two decade career as a country artist are a mile long, including sales of over half a million albums and a string of gold and platinum discs. Beccy Cole boasts ten albums to her credit, nine Golden Guitars (Country Music Awards Of Australia) to her name as well as multiple ARIA Top 10 Country and Top 40 Mainstream albums, a Top 10 DVD, three gold-certified releases, and more than a dozen No. 1 Australian country singles, Beccy Cole is one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters. Having toured successfully in the past together, earlier this year they released their first ever recorded album collaboration “The Great Country Songbook Volume II”. We can’t wait to see how they might put their country spin on Christmas!

Dami Im

Since graduating into the world of pop stardom with a convincing win on the X Factor 2013, Dami Im has achieved a lot in her relatively short career. As her multiple ARIA accreditations attest – #1 chart positions and multi-platform sales for her self-titled album and hit singles ‘Alice’, ‘Super’, and ‘Gladiator’ – Dami’s star continues to rise. In 2016, Im once again found herself on the competitive stage, representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the power ballad, ‘Sound Of Silence’. In front of an audience of 200 million, competing against 42 entrants from around the globe, Dami more than delivered going on to secure the runner up position – a major accomplishment. Dami is a seasoned regular on Woolworths Carols in the Domain, gracing our stage each year since her X-Factor win. We are looking forward to welcoming this beautiful performer back to ‘wow’ the audience once again.

CDB

Having toured the world with the likes of Boyz II Men, K-Ci * Jo-Jo, Desiree and Tina Arena, CDB are incredibly excited to be sharing the stage with the amazing plethora of acts at this year’s Woolworths Carols in the Domain. Members Andrew De Silva, brothers Gary and Brad Pinto and Danny Williams burst onto the Australian music scene in 1994 with their debut album ‘Glide with Me’. This went platinum in Australia and set them up to release their single ‘Lets Groove’ in 1995 which was the bestselling Australian single of 1995. Having returned early in 2017 with their new album ‘Tailored for Now- Eleven R&B Super Jams’, CDB toured Australia creating an awesome nostalgia for themselves and their fans. We can’t wait to create that exact same feeling when they grace the stage this Christmas!

Justine Clarke

Justine Clarke is one of the most recognised and beloved faces on the Australian entertainment landscape; best-selling children’s music artist and author, acclaimed stage and screen actor in some of our most iconic productions; and for the past 17 years a constant, reassuring presence on children’s television benchmark program, Play School. With platinum and gold selling CDs/DVDs of original children’s songs, music videos programmed on ABC KIDS, and successful sell out national tours; Justine is undoubtedly the Queen of children’s entertainment.

Katie Noonan

For more than 20 years, Katie Noonan has been one of Australia’s most revered musical talents. A singer, songwriter, producer, pianist, mother and fierce champion of the arts, Noonan’s career has seen her win five ARIA awards, go seven times platinum, release over a dozen studio albums and be name one of the greatest Australian singers of all time by the Herald Sun. Katie first rose to prominence as the angel-voiced vocalist behind George, the legendary Australian band who broke through in 2002 with their #1 album Polyserena. Since then, Katie’s extensive discography has spanned between classical music, opera, jazz, folk and electronic sounds with her outstanding vocals always shining through. Last time Katie performed on Woolworths Carols in the Domain was in 2011, so we are so thrilled to be welcoming her back to the stage many years later.We can’t wait to see what she has in store for us and what song her angelic voice will be singing

Muriel's Wedding The Musical

Natalie Abbott - Muriel Heslop Hailing from the south coast of NSW, 23 year old Natalie Abbott has been ‘singing since before she could talk’ - according to her mother.  Much like Muriel Heslop, Natalie left her small coastal town and moved to the big smoke - Sydney, where she began her Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) under the guidance of an array of illustrious industry professionals. Natalie is so thrilled that her professional debut is in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical and would like to give a huge thankyou to everyone who has helped her along on her journey.  Elizabeth Esguerra - Rhonda Born in the Philippines and Bred in the West of Sydney, Elizabeth is a trained actor, singer, and musician.  She moved to Melbourne in 2013 to study at The Victorian College of the Arts, from which she holds a Bachelor of Dramatic Art. Since graduating she has worked on several independent and professional film and television productions including ‘Offspring’, ‘Neighbours’ and Hamish and Andy’s ‘True Story’.  Her recent theatre credits include the Australian tour of ‘A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer,’ for Complicite Theatre UK, the critically acclaimed ‘Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.’ and ‘Turbine’ with Malthouse Theatre. She is excited to be taking on the role of Rhonda in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical and working with Global Creatures in this next phase of her career.  

Graeme Press

Internationally known conductor, arranger, orchestrator, pianist, Graeme returns to Woolworth’s Carols in the Domain for the tenth year as Music Director. He has held that position since 2009 following seven years as the choral director for this same event. Some of the artists he has worked with include: Josh Groban, Engelbert Humperdinck, Katherine Jenkins, Leo Sayer, Jessica Mauboy, Kate Ceberano, Doug Parkinson, Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daly, Samantha Jade, Dami Im plus more.  He has performed in a number of sell-out tours with THE SEEKERS as the Music Director, keyboardist and arranger for their 50th Golden celebration tours in Australia, UK and NZ. Graeme is also the MD for Andre Rieu's Australian soprano MIRUSIA, when she travels on her popular solo tours, and has recently concluded four European Tours, producing and arranging many 'live' CDs, two exquisite live DVDs, and two studio recordings.  With a Music Education background Graeme was the Head of Music at a private Secondary college for 13 years.  During this time he was, and continues to be, in great demand as a conductor, composer, arranger and clinician. He has over 50 choral works and instrumental arrangements published in USA, UK and in Australia.  “Graeme's reputation as a director, arranger and visionary extends across the globe, leading to many invitations to lead vocal and instrumental workshops or concerts or both.”  He resides in Sydney and If you ever have the opportunity to meet and talk with Graeme, the first thing you will notice is that he is a charming, warm, friendly and, above all, a most humble man.

Jay Laga’aia

Aussie Household favourite, Jay Laga’aia is back at Woolworths Carols In The Domain with his children once again, after a very captivating performance in 2016. With film credits such as Nim’s Island, Daybreakers, Star Wars Ep. II & III, Navigator and Never Say Die, Jay Laga’aia is one of the most in demand and versatile actors and singers to land on Australian shores. He has appeared as a regular in numerous Australian, New Zealand and US television series such as Home and Away, Bed of Roses, Legend of the Seeker, for Walt Disney, McLeods Daughters, Water Rats, Xena Warrior Princess (Series 1, 11 and V), Tales of the South Sea and Street Legal. Jay is also a proud presenter on the hit children’s TV show Playschool. This encouraged him to release a children’s album in 2007 called ‘Come Dance and Sing’ and ‘I Can Play Anything’ in 2010 respectively. Using both his acting skills and killer singing chops, Jay played the lead character Mufasa in the long running production of The Lion King. He has also starred in Jesus Christ Superstar, The New Rock Horror Picture Show, Westside Story and Sweet Charity to name a few. Jay’s happy disposition shines ever so brightly on the Woolworths Carols In The Domain stage and we can’t wait for him to shine once again this year.

Young Stars of Australian Opera

Each year, Patrick Togher Artists’ Management assembles 8 of Australia’s most brilliant young opera stars to add a touch of classical glamour to Woolworth’s Carols in the Domain. This year, from Sydney we have soprano Bridget Patterson, mezzo-soprano Viktoria Bolonina, tenors Ryan O'Donnell and Matthew Reardon and baritone Eugene Raggio. From Melbourne, we welcome soprano Georgia Wilkinson and, from Brisbane, mezzo soprano Cassandra Seidemann and baritone Sam Hartley.