Marina Prior AM (born 18 October 1963) is an Australian soprano and actress with a career mainly in musical theatre. From 1990 to 1993, she starred as the original Christine Daaé in the Australian premiere of The Phantom of the Opera, opposite Anthony Warlow and later Rob Guest.
Marina Prior | |
|---|---|
 Prior on New Year's Eve 2008 in Melbourne | |
| Born | 18 October 1963 Port Moresby, Territory of Papua and New Guinea, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Melbourne State College |
| Occupation(s) | Soprano, actress |
| Spouse | Grant Piro |
Early life
editPrior was born in Port Moresby in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, Australia,[1] where her father was working in the shipping industry. Her parents were members of the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society.[1] The family returned to Australia when she was a young child and she grew up in Melbourne, where she attended Syndal South Primary School and Korowa Anglican Girls' School. She began to take singing lessons at the age of twelve and also learnt piano, flute and guitar.
In 1982 Prior started studying for a Bachelor of Music degree at the Melbourne State College (which later became a faculty of the University of Melbourne).[2] To raise money, she worked in coffee shops and tried busking.[2] In September 1983 she auditioned for the Victoria State Opera production of The Pirates of Penzance. She was cast as "Mabel" and this started her career in musical theatre.[2][3] Initially she had tried out for the chorus, she reflected "When they told me it was 'Mabel' I nearly fainted ... I could not believe it ... It was like a fairy tale".[2] She deferred her studies due to performance and "touring commitments".[2]
Theatre career
editIn 1984 Prior was "Guinevere" in the Australian production of Camelot with Richard Harris.[3] In 1985, she performed the dual roles of "Jellylorum" and "Griddlebone" in the Australian premiere production of Cats.[3] In 1987, she appeared as "Josephine" opposite Paul Eddington in Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, as "Kathy" in The Student Prince at the Lyric Opera in Brisbane and as "Hope Harcourt" in Anything Goes.[3] This was followed by "Cosette" and the Australian premiere production of Les Misérables opposite Normie Rowe, Philip Quast, Simon Burke, and Anthony Warlow in Melbourne. She later played "Fantine" in the same musical in Sydney.[3]
From 1990 to 1993, she starred as the original "Christine Daaé" in the Australian premiere of The Phantom of the Opera, opposite Warlow and later Rob Guest.[3] This was followed by roles in many major productions, including "Maria" in West Side Story, "Lily" in The Secret Garden opposite Warlow and Quast (1995), "Magnolia" in Show Boat (1998) and the title role in The Merry Widow (1999).[3][4]
Other appearances include "Miss Adelaide" in Guys and Dolls (2000); the title role in Annie Get Your Gun (2004), both in staged concert versions with The Production Company;[3][5] in 2003 in John Misto's play Harp on the Willow ("Mary O'Hara") at the Ensemble Theatre, Sydney;[3][6] as "Jane Smart" in The Witches of Eastwick (2002);[3][7] and as "Belinda Blair" in Noises Off (2003).[3] Prior performed in the Australian premiere of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with the Melbourne Theatre Company and later with the Sydney Theatre Company.[3][8] She appeared as "Miss Adelaide" in Guys and Dolls at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne in March 2008[3][9] and with the Melbourne Theatre Company in The Hypocrite in November 2008.[3][10] She reprised her role in Guys and Dolls from March 2009 in Sydney.[3]
Prior toured Australasia in 1994 with José Carreras. She has performed concerts with many Australian symphony orchestras. She is a regular performer at Melbourne's Carols by Candlelight and regularly appears at Opera in the Alps with David Hobson. She also appeared with Hobson at Opera by the Lock in Mildura, Victoria, in 2008.[11]
In 2011, Prior appeared as Mrs Banks in the Australian production of the musical Mary Poppins.[3] In 2012, she performed with David Hobson and James Morrison at the Leeuwin Estate Concert Series.[3]
Prior performed in the most recent Australian production of The Sound of Music as Baroness Schraeder.[12] The production began its national tour in Sydney on 13 December 2015 and closed in Perth on 7 October 2016.[13]
From May 27 to 11 June 2017, Prior played the lead role of Dolly Levi in The Production Company's production of Hello, Dolly!.[14] She then joined the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Hay Fever from 23 September to 1 November 2017, starring as Judith Bliss.[15] Following the closure of this production, it was announced that Prior will join the Melbourne cast of Dream Lover as the dual role of Polly Darin and Mary Douvan. She begins performing these roles from 27 December 2017.[16][needs update]
In November 2019 Prior was announced to headline as Violet Newstead in the Australian debut production of 9 to 5 The Musical whose premiere engagement - set for Sydney in April 2020 -[17] would in fact, due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns, be delayed for two years, the production premiering with a February to May 2022 engagement at Sydney's Capitol Theatre with subsequent engagements through the summer and autumn at the Lyric Theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Melbourne's State Theatre, and the Festival Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre. [18] Prior then co-starred in the dual role of Miss Andrews and the Bird Woman in the engagement of Mary Poppins which opened January 29 2023 at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre where it is scheduled to run til April 2.[19]
In the spring of 2025, she's set to portray Madame Thénardier in the Australia performances of the Arena Spectacular World Tour of Les Misérables.[20]
Television and recordings
editIn the 1990s, Prior recorded three albums accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Leading Lady, Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber (which reached received an ARIA nomination) and Somewhere – The Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein.
Prior was a judge on both the 2006 and 2007 Seven Network reality television series It Takes Two.[21]
In 2012, Prior released her fourth studio album, Both Sides Now, which peaked at number 42. This was followed by Encore and Candlelight Christmas in 2013 and a live album in 2014 Marina Prior Live.
In 2015, Prior starred in the television opera The Divorce.
In April 2016, Prior released Together with Mark Vincent. This has become her first top 5 album on the ARIA Chart.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [22] | |||
| Leading Lady |
|
15 | |
| Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber |
|
22 |
|
| Somewhere – The Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein |
|
74 | |
| Both Sides Now |
|
42 | |
| Encore |
|
— | |
| Candlelight Christmas |
|
46 | |
| Together (with Mark Vincent) |
|
5 |
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| All I Ask of You |
|
| The Essential Marina Prior |
|
| Songbird |
|
| Leading Lady: The Ultimate Collection |
|
Live albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Marina Prior Live |
|
Cast recordings
edit- Cats (1985)
- Anything Goes (1989)
- The Secret Garden (1995)
- Mary Poppins (2010)
- The Divorce (original soundtrack) (2015)
Other
editPrior was appointed 1996 Queen of Moomba by the Melbourne festival's committee.[23]
Marina Prior has been the Goodwill Ambassador for Samaritan's Purse Australia since 2005. In this capacity she has visited several development projects in Asia, including schools, water projects and distribution of Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.[24] In 2009 she featured in "A Short Film About Shoe Boxes" to promote Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child.[25]
Awards and nominations
editPrior was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for "significant service to musical theatre as a singer and performer".[26]
Prior has received numerous awards; these include three Green Room Awards (Les Miserables in 1990, The Phantom of the Opera in 1991, and Kiss Me, Kate in 2005) and in 1993 the Advance Australia Award for her contribution to the performing arts.
Prior was inducted into Australia's 100 Entertainers of the Century.[27]
Helpmann Awards
editThe Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia since 2001.[28] Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Marina Prior - The Witches of Eastwick | Best Female Actor in a Musical | Nominated | [29] |
| 2006 | Marina Prior - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | Best Female Actor in a Musical | Nominated | [30] |
| 2008 | Marina Prior - Guys and Dolls | Best Female Actor in a Musical | Nominated | [31] |
| 2011 | Marina Prior - Mary Poppins | Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Nominated | [32] |
| 2018 | Marina Prior - Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Musical | Best Female Actor in a Musical | Nominated | [33] |
Mo Awards
editThe Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Marina Prior won three awards in that time.[34]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Marina Prior | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
| 1994 | Marina Prior | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | Marina Prior | Brian Stacey Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
Personal life
editFrom 1991 Marina Prior was married to Peter Lowrey, also a musical theatre actor: they have three children;[35] by 2012 she had married Grant Piro, an actor.[36]
Prior became a devout Christian in the late 1990s, she has worked for charity organisations, Samaritan's Purse (on their Operation Christmas Child) and Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight.[35][37]
References
edit- ^ a b Nunn, Louise (11 May 2013). "Marina Prior is Australia's leading lady". The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "From busker to leading lady in two weeks". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 29 September 1983. p. 7. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Contributor: Marina Prior". AusStage (Jenny Fewster). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ "There's life in the old widow yet" by Frank Van Straten, The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 2003
- ^ Annie Get Your Gun (2004) Archived 2 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Harp on the Willow
- ^ Devilishly hard to get just right
- ^ Sydney Theatre Company Archived 2 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Westwood, Matthew (11 September 2007). "Musical is no gamble after dicing with dunnies". The Australian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
They will join … Marina Prior as Miss Adelaide.
- ^ The Hypocrite – Cast Archived 1 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Melbourne Theatre Company; retrieved 1 November 2008
- ^ Opera by the Lock Archived 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Marina Prior - The Sound of Music". Archived from the original on 13 June 2015.
- ^ "PERTH IS ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC". www.crownperth.com.au. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ Cameron Woodhead (31 May 2017). "Hello, Dolly! review: Marina Prior tackles classic musical with gusto and brilliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Hay Fever | MTC 2017". Archived from the original on 6 September 2016.
- ^ "Marina Prior Joins Cast Of Dream Lover — Noise11.com | News |". noise11.com. 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Lead Cast announced for 9 to 5 the Musical". 10 November 2019.
- ^ "Four weeks remaining in Sydney for Dolly Parton's hit 9 TO 5 | News". 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Theatre Review: Mary Poppins is a dazzling, practically perfect musical". 6 February 2023.
- ^ Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular sets Australia dates, Matt Lucas to join the cast
- ^ Judge on It Takes Two Archived 3 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Peaks in Australia:
- All except noted: "Discography Marina Prior". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- Somewhere – The Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein and all certifications: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 225.
- ^ "Moomba: A festival for the people" by Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen, pp. 17–22 Archived 8 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Marina Prior biography[permanent dead link] at Samaritan's Purse
- ^ A short film about shoe boxes – Operation Christmas Child 2009 on YouTube
- ^ "King's Birthday 2023 Honours - the full list". Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ Variety Victoria Archived 5 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Events & Programs". Live Performance Australia. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ "2003 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "2006 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "2008 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "2011 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "2018 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Marina Prior's roller-coaster year" by Colin Vickery, Herald Sun (21 December 2011)
- ^ "Stars shine for Annie premiere" by Luke Dennely, Herald Sun (27 May 2012)
- ^ Winfield, Shane (December 2009). "Marina Prior Making a Difference". Signs of the Times. Adventist Media Network. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
Further reading
edit- "Don't call me nice" by Lily Bragge, The Age, 18 August 2002 (profile and interview)
- "Harp on the Willow" by Stephen Dunne, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 October 2003
- "Kiss me, Kate" by Jim Murphy, The Age, 22 July 2005
- "An absolute farce" by Robin Usher, The Age, 16 June 2003