From world tap dancing champion to Olympic ceremony producer, Drew Anthony has enjoyed a remarkable and varied career in the performing arts. His journey began at just five years old when, after following his sisters to dance lessons, his mother suggested he might as well join in. That simple decision set him on a lifelong path in theatre, performance, and production that has taken him around the world and back again.
Since moving to Perth eight years ago — “for love,” he laughs — Drew has become a major figure in Western Australia’s theatre scene. He operates as a boutique independent theatre company based at Planet Royale in Northbridge.
“It’s a wonderful little theatre,” Drew says proudly. “We’ve managed to create a space that feels intimate and connected, where audiences can really engage with the performers.”
Planet Royale will soon host Drew’s latest production, Spamalot, a riotous musical comedy based on the legendary Monty Python film Monty
Python and the Holy Grail. The show will run from May 20 to June 7, promising audiences a night of laughter, absurdity, and classic British wit.
“With everything that’s happening in the world right now, I think Spamalot is perfectly timed,” Drew says. “It’s a fun show with that wonderful Monty Python absurdist humour. It’s hilarious, it’s silly, and it’s exactly what we need at this time in our lives when things can feel difficult — with the cost of fuel, the cost of living, and all the pressures people are under.
“Sometimes you just need to go out and have a good belly laugh, and that’s what Spamalot is all about.”
The production even features Monty Python’s own Eric Idle, who appears on screen as God, interacting with the cast live on stage. Idle, who co-created the original musical, recorded his part especially for this production.
“I’m so thrilled to have Eric Idle involved,” Drew says. “It’s just wonderful to be able to include him at that level in the show. People love him — as they should — he’s a comedy icon. And what better way to celebrate someone who’s made us laugh for decades and decades?”
Spamalot is packed with all the classic Monty Python moments fans adore — the Knights Who Say “Ni!”, the killer rabbit, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek musical numbers. But Drew says it’s more than just a comedy.
“It’s got all of the Monty Python humour that people love, but it’s also a very well-constructed musical,” he explains. “It’s clever, it’s fast-paced, and it’s performed by an all-West Australian cast who bring incredible energy and talent to the stage.”
Drew believes Planet Royale is the perfect venue for the show.
“It’s a marvellous 220-seat theatre, and audiences love it because they feel so connected to the stage. Where every seat is a great seat, and you can really feel the energy of the performers.”
Planet Royale has been voted Perth’s favourite theatre for three years in a row, a testament to the venue’s growing reputation for quality productions and community spirit.
Drew’s career has spanned continents and genres. He has performed in and directed countless theatre productions, but one of his fondest memories remains Hot Shoe Shuffle, a David Atkins-led musical that toured Australia multiple times and travelled to Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
He also fondly remembers his time in 42nd Street, one of the big mega-musicals that toured Australia in the early 1990s.
As his career evolved, Drew moved into directing and choreography, eventually finding himself working on some of the world’s biggest live events.
“I was the associate artistic director for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver,” he says. “That was a marvellous event to be part of. And of course, the Sydney Olympic Games — I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve had a wonderful career.”
His Olympic involvement began after years of working in theatre with David Atkins, who served as artistic director for the Sydney Olympic ceremonies.
“I actually declined the offer to work on the Sydney Olympics at first,” Drew admits. “But the day after the opening ceremony, I got a call from David asking if I’d come and work on the closing ceremony. I was so inspired by what they’d done that I completely changed my mind. I joined the team immediately and didn’t see any sport because we were far too busy — but that experience gave me my first taste of Olympic ceremonies and stadium events, which then dominated my career for the next 20 years.”
Despite the scale of those global events, Drew says the pressure is no different from producing a local theatre show.
“At the end of the day, the responsibility is to produce something of high quality for the audience,” he says.
“Whether it’s 200 people in Perth or 200 million people watching on television, it’s the same level of responsibility. It takes the same amount of work, the same amount of energy, and the same amount of care. I take that responsibility very seriously. I’ve only ever known show business, and I’ve made a wonderful career out of it because I care deeply about the audience experience. Every decision I make is for their benefit.”
Recently, Drew has taken several Perth productions to Melbourne and Sydney, giving local performers the chance to showcase their talent on a national stage.
“I love being able to contribute to the West Australian cultural landscape and take Perth-based actors across to perform in Sydney and Melbourne,” he says. “That’s a very unusual thing — it’s normally the other way around.”
He hopes Spamalot will follow in those footsteps, bringing a bit of WA’s creative flair to audiences beyond the state.
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate all things Monty Python when Spamalot plays at Planet Royale, Northbridge, from May 20 to June 7.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or www.drewanthonycreative.com.au
