The backstage hallways of Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre are like a living museum, filled with framed portraits of the stars who have graced its stage over the years. These iconic images tell the stories of countless performances, actors, directors, dancers, and musicians who have left their mark.
It began almost fifty years ago, thanks to Heather Blewett, a beloved usherette and stage door manager at Festival Theatre who had a passion for photography and capturing backstage moments. She brought her camera to the theatre and began taking portraits of performers backstage - what started as a simple idea soon became a Festival Theatre tradition that has continued for decades.
Over time, these backstage photographs have grown into a cherished collection, each headshot representing the unique personalities and talents that have graced the Festival Theatre stage. It’s a beautiful reminder of the countless individuals who have contributed to the theatre’s legacy, and it all started with Heather’s camera and her love of the performing arts.
Today, as you walk through those same hallways, you're not just passing by pictures, you're walking through the rich history of the Festival Theatre, one photograph at a time.
Check out recent portraits from 2024 below.
| Angelique Kidjo | Miriam Margolyes |
|---|---|
| Five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo backstage before her one night only performance for Adelaide Festival in January 2024. | Celebrated British-Australian TV and film star and raconteur, Miriam Margolyes had the Festival Theatre audience in stitches as she shared some of her favourite anecdotes and never-told-before stories at her Oh Miriam! Live! Tour in January 2024. |
| Gladys Knight | Tina Arena |
|---|---|
| Empress of Soul Gladys Knight performed her Farewell Tour in January 2024. | Iconic Australian singer-songwriter Tina Arena backstage ahead of her Love Saves Tour in April 2024. |
| Missy Higgins | Patti LuPone |
|---|---|
| Beloved Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins backstage before her sold out The Second Act Tour in June 2024. | Three-time Tony Award winner and stage and screen icon Patti LuPone graced the Festival Theatre stage in June 2024 with A Life in Notes for Adelaide Cabaret Festival. |
| David Campbell | Lisa Simone |
|---|---|
| Past Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director David Campbell returned to the festival with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for a special concert celebrating the wonderful Olivia Newton John in June 2024. | Internationally renowned musician Dame Lisa Simone ahead of her Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2024 show – Keeper of The Flame. |
| Anthony Warlow | Peter Rowsthorn |
|---|---|
| Iconic Australian musical theatre and opera performer Anthony Warlow backstage before stepping onto the stage as Billy Flynn in CHICAGO The Musical in August 2024. | Beloved Australian comedy icon Peter Rowsthorn backstage at Festival Theatre before performing as Amos Hart in CHICAGO The Musical in August 2024. |
| Tim Minchin | Joanna Lumley |
|---|---|
| Comedian, Actor, Composer, Songwriter, Pianist and Director backstage before his sold out An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin in October 2024. | The Absolutely Fabulous Joana Lumley before her two sold out shows at Festival Theatre in October 2024. |
| Stephen Fry | Eric Idle |
|---|---|
| Award-winning comedian, actor, and master storyteller Stephen Fry backstage at Festival Theatre in November 2024. | Monty Python’s Eric Idle backstage ahead of his sold out Always Look on The Bright Side of Live Tour at Festival Theatre in November 2024. |
| Dan Sultan |
|---|
| Australian singer-songwriter Dan Sultan backstage at Festival Theatre before his performance with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in December 2024. |
Festival Theatre Guided Tour
Our Festival Theatre tour is back by popular demand with limited dates available.
