On the Couch with Deirdre Khoo9 February 2023 On the Couch

Who is Deirdre Khoo?
I am an actor, singer, musician, and most importantly – an escape room fanatic! I was born and raised in Singapore until I turned 16, which was when I moved to Australia alone to pursue a career in the arts. I am a proud Peranakan-Chinese, and as Sandra Oh said It’s an honour just to be Asian.

What would you do differently from what you do now?
I wouldn’t change anything that I have now! I am so grateful to have been through what I’ve gone through and without those things, I would not be the same person I am today. If (maybe in a parallel universe) I had to go down another path in life, I think I would’ve been a neurosurgeon. I was fascinated with the functions of the brain as a young teen and I might’ve gone down that route if I wasn’t so passionate about performing.

Who inspires you and why?
Many, many people. However, the person that inspires me the most is my grandmother. She grew up in a culture that primarily had women in the kitchen and doing domestic chores, but instead of letting it bog her down, she used it to be the best in her craft & became respected for it. She is one of the strongest women I know in my life and I will never meet a woman as resilient & as brave as her. With that, I am in awe of her everyday.

In terms of artistically, there are many singers and artists in my life that I have drawn inspiration from. I look up to artists who are constantly working hard to better themselves in one way or another, an example would be So Hyang (a South Korean singer).

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I am really passionate about diversity and inclusivity within the theatre & arts industry, using new and refreshing ideas to evoke crucial thoughts from the audience. I believe that art reflects life, and vice versa.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
I was just in Scotland at the end of 2022, and I found it the most spectacular place. We went up to the Scottish Highlands, where Isle of Skye is and saw the most breath-taking views. It was something I’d never experienced in my life. I went during winter (low season) and found it so striking – I can’t imagine going there in peak Summer, when it would just be even more gorgeous. As you can tell, I’m a bit of a nature junkie!

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I will definitely get them to come catch Rocky Horror, of course! There’s absolutely no doubt that it would be a fun time. I’d also love for them, on a beautiful day, to take a trip up to the Northern beaches, or take the ferry out to Manly beach. If they’re not beach people, head up to the Blue Mountains and take in the surroundings.

What are you currently reading?
I shall let you in on a secret… I don’t read that often! I wish I did, really! But I can never get through the first few pages of a book, and hence I go to TV series and audiobooks! THAT being said, there is one book that I always go back to and I have read it maybe a hundred times – I exaggerate – Sherlock Holmes. I am a huge Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fan… Did you know that Sherlock was modelled after his actual professor at Edinburgh University, Dr Joseph Bell? Fun facts!

What are you currently listening to?
My Spotify says it’s the Live Original Cast Recording of Hadestown and Sammy Rae & the Friends!

Happiness is?
The little things in life. And never taking them for granted.

What does the future hold for you?
The big question! I don’t know! So many things I can imagine. As many aspirations I have for the future, I kinda just want to appreciate things that come my way, one at a time. Life is so short, and it goes so quickly. I can only work as hard as I can… and come what may!
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Deirdre will star as Janet in the 50th Anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show – which plays the Theatre Royal Sydney from 14 February, before playing the Adelaide Festival Centre from 13 April; and the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne from 18 May 2023. For more information, visit: www.rockyhorror.com.au for details.

Wise up, Janet Weiss! Deirdre joins the company of Rocky Horror Australian Tour in the 50th Anniversary production in the titular role of Janet.

From StageWhispers:
A brand-new Australian tour will kick off global celebrations in honour of iconic Rock ‘N’ Roll musical The Rocky Horror Show as it marks its 50thAnniversary in 2023. The production will open at Theatre Royal Sydney in February 2023 starring Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter and Myf Warhurst as The Narrator. Joining them will be Ellis Dolan as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle as Columbia, Ethan Jones as Brad, Deirdre Khoo as Janet, Loredo Malcolm as Rocky and Henry Rollo as Riff Raff. Further casting will be announced soon.

Tickets on sale from Monday 17th October 10am at rockyhorror.com.au

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From SecretsSydney:
The creative team features director Christopher Luscombe, set designer Hugh Durrant, costume designer Sue Blane and choreographer Nathan M Wright with music by Richard Hartley.
The Rocky Horror Show first premiered in London in 1973 and has since become a fixture on stage around the globe. It has played in over 30 countries with Russell Crowe, Susan Sarandon and Adam Lambert among other actors starring on stage and screen. 

“There is no better fitting place in the world than Australia to launch this 50th Anniversary Tour – The Rocky Horror Show is one of Australia’s most performed and beloved musicals of all time,” writer and creator Richard O’Brien said.
The Rocky Horror Show is the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter — an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania where people love to party. What follows is tons of fun, adventure, timeless songs and over-the-top outfits.

A Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA and Darlinghurst Theatre Company production.
A Dublin bar, a boy, a girl, and two bruised hearts.

​This international smash hit and eight-time Tony Award-winning musical reminds us of music’s power to connect us all. With songs from the critically-acclaimed film, including the Oscar-winning song ‘Falling Slowly’, this spell-binding and soaring score will have you enchanted in the headiness of unexpected love.

After a sell-out 2019 season, Once, is a breathtaking co-production with Darlinghurst Theatre that will make its debut at The Regal Theatre from 28 May to 12 June.

Once is the only Broadway show to have music that has won the Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, the Drama Desk Award four times and the Tony Award eight times!

This critically acclaimed production is directed by Richard Carroll with musical direction by Victoria Falconer. It features stunning dance sequences created by Hamilton’s resident director Amy Campbell. Australian musical theatre stars, Stefanie Caccamo (Oklahoma!, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical)) and Toby Francis (Kinky Boots, High Fidelity), return to the roles as Girl and Guy, inspired by the show’s song writers.

Based on the movie of the same name by John Carney, Once features a book by Enda Walsh, and a spell-binding music & lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová.

Richard Carroll, Director:
Once is a grown-up love story about two hurting people, who help each other to face the challenges, pain, and vital importance of vulnerability as the pathway to connection and fulfilment. The catalyst for the lead characters’ bond is, of course, music. And what music! The songs are beautiful and painful and evocative and funny and truthful and original and unforgettable – and all played live onstage by the incredible cast.

New York Daily News:
Original and unforgettable, Once draws you in from the very first note, grabs you by the heart strings and never lets go.

Limelight:
Led by Carroll, who brings just the right light touch to his direction, everything in the production (choreography, music, lighting, design) combines organically to create something heartfelt, bittersweet, and very special.

Season Details
Venue: The Regal Theatre
Date: 28 May -12 June 2022
For more information click HERE

From AussieTheatre

Deirdre joins Melbourne Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummers Night's Dream directed by Nicola Bowman as Flute, and a musician in the ensemble playing the piano accordion & guitar.

​A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays at Central Park, Malvern until 13 March 2022. For tickets, click here.

Deirdre will be making her professional debut after her graduating from WAAPA in Darlinghurst Theatre Company's production of Once as Ex-Girlfriend and female understudy.

From AussieTheatre:
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the cast of the Tony Award®– winning musical ONCE, which makes its long-awaited return to Sydney’s Eternity Playhouse in June before touring. This critically acclaimed production is directed by Richard Carroll with musical direction by Victoria Falconer. It features stunning movement sequences created by Hamilton’s resident director Amy Campbell. Opening in Sydney in 2019, it broke box-office records and played to nightly standing ovations and packed houses. Garnering 5-star reviews, the sell-out season had to be extended due to popular demand.
Richard Carroll and his creative team have assembled an extraordinary cast of actor-musicians to bring this breathtaking story to life on stage.
Jay Laga’aia joins Australian musical theatre stars, Toby Francis and Stefanie Caccamo, who are returning to the roles inspired by the love story of ONCE’s songwriters – the Grammy Award®-winning folk duo of Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová.
Performing alongside Francis, Caccamo and Laga’aia will be Victoria Falconer, Drew Livingston, Abe Mitchell, Rupert Reid, Alec Steedman, who are all returning after performing in the original 2019 season. They are joined by newcomers, Tamlyn Henderson, Deirdre Khoo, Patrick Schnur and Jennifer Trijo, who is also Associate Musical Director.
Award-winning director Richard Carroll considers ONCE to be one of the most challenging musicals for the artists involved.
It asks for so much from its actors. Not only do they need to tell this beautiful story every night with truth, passion and humour – they also need to sing the exceptional songs with all of the same qualities. AND they are their own band, so every one of them needs to be an exceptional instrumentalist. I was blown away by the capabilities of the cast and creative team we assembled for ONCE in 2019, and I can’t wait to do it all again for the entire country to see.

Tickets for the Sydney season and New South Wales tour are now on sale, with further dates to be announced soon.
For more information please visit https://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/once 

#OnceAustralia #DarlinghurstTheatreCompany #ActorMusician

Deirdre Khoo joins the new work of Maki Morita - Trash Pop Butterflies, Dance Dance Paradise, which will be premiering in the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne. She will play the feisty anarchist Pepper alongside Zoe Resnick and Hayley Edwards.

A clock turns backwards. A baby has lasers for eyes. A talking butterfly materialises in midair. 
‘Trash Pop Butterflies, Dance Dance Paradise’ takes a kaleidoscopic dive into a world of climate crises, cultural rebellion, and utopian dreams.
Part theatre, contemporary dance, and Riot Grrrl fanzine come to life; Morita’s anarchic and experimental work is about what it might take to create something beautiful and new out of ecological collapse.

Presented from the MKA | PAVILION pop-up theatre in the beautiful surrounds of the Fitzroy Gardens.

Maki Morita is a writer and performance maker living and working on unceded Wurundjeri country. She is currently putting together aa text-based artwork exhibiting at Linden New Art in 2022. She is also collaborating as dramaturg for Club Nite (Midsumma Festival). Her short film Mirage was selected for the Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2020 and the Setting Sun Film Festival 2020.

THE TEAM
Playwright:
Maki Morita

Director:
Amelia Burke
Producer:
Zoe Hollyoak
Production Manager:
Spencer Herd
Cast: Hayley Edwards, Milo Hartill, Deirdre Khoo, Romaine McSweeney, Zoe Resnick
Choreographer: 
Alec Katsourakis
Dramaturg:
Noemie Huttner-Koros
Set + Costume:
Oliver Lacoon Williamson
Sound:
Laura Strøbech
Lighting:
Giovanna Yate Gonzalez
Lighting Associate:
​Spencer Herd