MTIA has secured the licensing rights for Australasia to the Helpmann Award Nominated METRO STREET by Matthew Lee Robinson. 

The World Premiere production of Metro Street with book, music and lyrics by Robinson was produced by Arts Asia Pacific, Power Arts and the State Theatre Company of South Australia, premiering at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide on April 7, 2009. Directed by Geordie Brookman and musically directed by Matthew Carey, the cast starred Debra Byrne, Nancye Hayes, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Cameron Goodall and Jude Henshall.

The production went on to receive high critical and audience praise and on the strength of the premiere season was invited to be the featured opening production of the third annual Daegu International Musical Festival in Daegu, South Korea, opening on June 15, 2009.

“Powerful gutsy raw emotion with brilliant music and lyrics” – Australian Stage

The World Premiere production in Adelaide was nominated for five Helpmann Awards (Australia’s equivalent to the Tony Awards) alongside musical heavyweights Wicked, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady and Spamalot. Nominations for Metro Street were Best New Australian Work, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Choreography of a Musical and Best Musical Direction.

“ [Robinson's Music] is sweetly melodic, with minor key cadences reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and even Joe Jackson.” – The Australian

“We are incredibly excited and honoured to announce that we will be representing Matthew Lee Robinson’s Metro Street for licensing in Australasia.”  Said Stuart Hendricks, MTIA Managing Director. “It is all the more special as Robinson is an Australian writer/composer who is making waves in the United States and we are thrilled to represent and support him here at home."

"Stuart Hendricks and the MTI Australasia team have a fond place in my heart, having nurtured my songwriting career from its early stages." said Composer and Writer Robinson. "I’m thrilled that for the first time since its multi award winning World Premiere, the story and heart of METRO STREET get to be shared with the country which brought it to life." 

Set against the backdrop of modern day Melbourne, soon to be university graduate Chris undergoes a life-altering year. With dreams of a future in London and the promise of a generation who can have it all, the four women in his life – his mother Sue, grandmother Jo, girlfriend Amy, and girl next door Kerry – enable him to find his way to what he needs the most; home.

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