COMEDY, DRAMA AND MUSICAL THEATRE

The Early Years

1995 – 2006

The beginning

Initially formed by Ian Williams, Betty Davidson and Alan Bacon as a vehicle to create and produce popular entertainment with a focus on Musical Theatre. Exitleft’s breakout production saw them step outside the traditional theatre venues and bring the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar to the Wrest Point Entertainment Centre in 1997.

Following this Ian proposed an even more ambitious challenge. Staging Les Misérables in the arena at the Derwent Entertainment Centre with a huge cast, Live orchestra all backed up by a hundred voice choir. Betty and Alan both took a step back (although they went on to feature in a number of the shows) and Suzen Parnell came on board as co-producer and principal designer.

2002 and 2003 saw ’Allo ’Allo, Are You Being Served and Murder on the Nile touring around the state, a box-office breaking production of The Sound of Music at the Theatre Royal and in 2005 the first large-cast production of Rent.

2005

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2005

Rent

Direction Darren Sangwell and Ian Williams
Vocal Direction Ian Williams
Musical Direction Jeremy Sibson
Choreography Jenina Evans

Theatre Royal, Hobart

2003

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION

Murder on the Nile

Direction Robert Jarman

Theatre Royal, Hobart
Princess Theatre, Launceston
Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2003

Annie

Direction and Vocal Direction Ian Williams
Musical Direction Ben van Tienen
Choreography Mandy Cashion

Theatre Royal, Hobart

Featuring John Xintavelonis as Daddy Warbucks.

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2003

Are You Being Served

Direction Ian Williams

Theatre Royal, Hobart
Princess Theatre, Launceston

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2003

Some Enchanted Evening

Direction Betty Davidson
Musical Direction Ian Williams

Playhouse Theatre, Hobart

2002

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2002

The Sound of Music

Direction and Vocal Direction Ian Williams
Musical Direction Les Johnston
Choreography Michelle Howell and Chelle Burtt

Theatre Royal, Hobart

Colin Dean as Captain Von Trapp, Chelle Burtt as Elsa, John Xintavelonis as Max and Sharon Prero as Maria.

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2002

Into the Woods

Direction and Vocal Direction Ian Williams
Musical Direction Celeste Quinn

Federation Concert Hall, Hobart

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2002

Aspects of Love

Direction Chris Hamley
Musical Direction Ian Williams

Playhouse Theatre, Hobart

2001

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2001/2002

’Allo ’Allo

Direction Ian Williams

Theatre Royal, Hobart
Princess Theatre, Launceston

Featuring John Xintavelonis as René and Craig Wellington as Office Crabtree.

2000

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 2000

Les Misérables

Direction Betty Davidson
Vocal Direction Ian Williams
Musical Direction Celeste Quinn
Choreography Jenina Evans

Derwent Entertainment Centre, Glenorchy

Featuring David Lee as Jean Valjean.

Early Years

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 1998

Jesus Christ Superstar

Direction Betty Davidson
Musical Direction Ian Williams
Choreography Cassie le Fevre

Tasman Room, Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart

Featuring Kristin Holland as Jesus.

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 1997

TomFoolery

Direction Betty Davidson
Musical Direction Ian Williams

The Showroom, Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart

SIGNATURE PRESENTATION 1996

Another Drop of Another Hat

Direction Betty Davidson
Musical Direction Ian Williams

Playhouse Theatre, Hobart

Our 2025 Season