About Melanie Parry
MELANIE PARRY is one of Australia’s leading ladies of song and a celebrated cabaret theatre artiste, performing her first class musical theatre shows over the last 17 years for the performing arts and entertainment sectors spanning major venues across the United Kingdom, Europe, Las Vegas, Nevada USA, New Zealand, Tasmania, and extensively throughout Australia.
In 2015, Melanie Parry was cast by TV producers for the prestigious singing role as The VOICE of JUDY GARLAND in one of Australia’s most exciting TV show releases for the year, the multi award winning Peter Allen – Not The Boy Next Door – TV Mini Series produced by Endomel Shine Aust for Channel 7.
Receiving rave reviews and accolades for her performance:
“A round of applause for Melanie Parry for the impeccable singing voice of Garland.”
Graeme Blundell l TV Writer l Sydney l The Australian
See the link here for the Peter Allen Mini Series at:
https://www.melanieparry.com/judy-garland-melanie-parry
2016 saw Melanie appearing in the immersive Australian musical “Hidden Sydney-The Glittering Mile” – playing the part of Judy Garland at the Silver Spade.
Melanie started in show business at the age of 11 performing with a children’s song and dance troupe touring the country and appearing on National TV, later making her debut TV appearance as a professional Ventriloquist on Australia’s famed Johnny Young’s Young Talent Time Show.
Film and television appearances followed before pursuing a career overseas, including the iconic film “Undercover” for Filmco/Palm Beach Pictures and “Waterloo Station” for the Reg Grundy Organisation.
Leaving for the UK to pursue career opportunities in her early twenties, Melanie trained as a coloratura soprano, studying in Wales under the expert tutelage of renowned teacher & tenor, Allun Davies, of the Welsh National Opera.
She became known in the UK as the Australian girl with the golden voice with Parry’s early singing career drawn from the music of light Opera “Die Fledermaus”, “The Merry Widow”, “La Boheme”, composer Ivor Novello and many West End and Broadway musical theatre productions such as the Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, Mack & Mable, Jeckyl & Hyde, and Carousel.
UK TV work included many Welsh TV productions – Pobol Y Cwm – Sitcom l BBC TV, “Dinas” – Drama l HTV Network l “Halen -Yn-Y-Gwaud” – Drama l “Tell Tale” – HTV.
London’s iconic ‘Stage & Television’ newspaper review described her stage show performances as… “possessing a powerful voice of great versatility, with a unique style and range”, able to enthral and captivate her audiences during her show performances.
With an equally impressive list of TV and show credits in Britain and Australia, Melanie has shared the stage with fellow entertainment luminaries such as Barry Crocker, Simon Gallagher, John Williamson, Toni Lamond, Michael Caton, John Paul Young, Peter Cousens, to name a few.
As a veteran entertainer, Melanie Parry is a consummate professional, descending from a prominent Australian showbiz family.
Melanie has appeared twice in the entertainment capital of the world at the Monte Carlo Casino and Resort, Las Vegas Nevada, USA with her acclaimed one woman theatre show dedicated to the life and music of the great Judy Garland.
Melanie Parry continues to tour with her shows extensively in Australia and overseas to the delight of all her many fans and theatre audiences.
MELANIE PARRY is available for show bookings worldwide.
Credits
THEATRES
Parramatta Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, NSW
The Laycock St Theatre, Gosford, NSW
The Glen Street Theatre, Belrose, NSW
The Hayden Orpheum Palace Theatre, Cremorne, NSW
The Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree, NSW
Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith, NSW
Casula Powerhouse Theatre, Liverpool, NSW
The Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven, NSW
The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith, NSW
Jupiters Casino, Qld
The Cairns Civic Theatre, Cairns, Qld
The World Theatre – Charters Towers, Qld
Gladstone Entertainment Centre-Gladstone, Qld
Caloundra Cultural Centre, Caloundra, Qld
The Brogla Theatre, Maryborough, Qld
Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay, Qld
Townsville Civic Centre, Townsville, Qld
Boonah Cultural Centre, Boonah, Qld
Proserpine Cultural Centre, Proserpine, Qld
The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Qld
The Arts Centre, Gold Coast Qld
Logan Entertainment Centre, Qld
Marion Cultural Centre, Adelaide, SA
Bendigo Regional Arts Centre, Victoria
The Drum Theatre, Dandenong, Victoria
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat Victoria
Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Victoria
Riverlinks, Shepparton, Victoria
Karaylaka Arts Centre, Victoria
Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Victoria
BPACC, Benalla, Victoria
NEW ZEALAND THEATRES
Royal Wanganui Opera House
Rotarura Civic Theatre
Waipukurau Civic Theatre
CORPORATE EVENTS
Variety the Children’s Charity – The Grand Ballroom, Star City Casino – Melanie Parry sings Judy Garland I Special Appearance
AMP Insurance Convention – Fairmont Resort, Leura – Performing The Judy Garland Show
The Paralympic Games Project – Melanie Parry sings Judy Garland
The Heart Awards – Variety Children’s Charity – Melanie Parry featured artiste with Michael Caton, Toni Lamond, Stuart Wagstaff, Jackie Love & Peter Cousens
Sydney Motor Show – Celebrating 100 years of the Motor Car, Darling Harbour Convention Centre – Melanie Parry sings Judy Garland
Hobart Casino, Tasmania – Corporate Event – Performing The Judy Garland Show with Mick Meredith
Variety the Children’s Charity Convention, Darling Harbour – Melanie Parry sings Judy Garland appearing with John Paul Young
Skycity Casino, Adelaide – Performing The Judy Garland Show
Rosehill Racecourse – 2KY Radio Corporate Event – Melanie Parry sings Judy Garland appearing with Elliot Goblet
VP60 and VP70 Celebrations, Living Heroes Concert, Townsville, Qld – Performing The Magic of Dame Vera Lynn, with Simon Gallagher, John Williamson, IRAR Band, United States Air Force Band
Lions Convention, Queensland – Performing The Judy Garland Show
Official Function Sydney – Governor of NSW – Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO – Performing the Australian National Anthem
Official Function Sydney – Event for Prime Minister and Mike Baird Premier of NSW – Performing the Australian National Anthem
EARLY AUSTRALIAN FILM & TV
Young Talent Time – Guest Artist
Undercover – (Australian Movie)
Waterloo Station – Reg Grundy (Nine Network)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – LAS VEGAS
The Monte Carlo Casino – Judy Garland Story in Song Show
Houdini’s Lounge – Monte Carlo Casino, Las Vegas
UK THEATRE & CABARET SHOWS
Bob Monkhouse Show – Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Barron Knights Show – Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Wales, U.K
Llanelli Entertainment Centre – Llanelli, Wales (Headline Artiste)
Eric Delaney Show – Newcastle, England
Beaufort Theatre, Variety Shows, Wales (Headline Artiste)
Burstin Hotel Summer Season – Folkestone, England (Headline Artiste)
Summer Seasons – Carmarthen Bay, Wales (Headline Artiste)-Leisure Services
Summer Seasons, Bourne Leisure – one nighters – Wales (Headline Artiste)
United Kingdom Tours – Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester
Scotland, France, Spain & Malta tours
UK WALES FILM & TELEVISION
“Pobly-Com” – BBC, “Dinas” – HTV Network, “Halen -Yn-Y-Gwaud” – Welsh Movie, “Tell Tale” – HTV Network, plus many more Welsh productions.
Testimonials and Media Releases
The Stage & Television Today, London, UK
“The Voice of Melanie Parry can only be described as “magical”.
She possesses a rare quality of masterfully transforming a song to make it a unique gift to her audience”…
Posted by Queensland Lions Convention – Proserpine Entertainment Centre
The Cabaret Show comments I received from all delegates yesterday was overwhelming and excitingly positive, they could not find enough words of praise and joy. One man said he had attended 41 conferences during his time in Lions and that was the best one ever, and could never better that performance!! The praise just kept on coming and coming even from real blokey men who you would never expect to comment on Showbiz. Some got quite emotional with words handshakes and hugs trying to express their words of emotions. At the closing of Convention Awards yesterday the Convention Chair could hardly finish his words of praise for the Banquet as he was so moved with the success. The District Governor Gordon Bailey from Townsville was so overwhelmed with the Show and said nothing could top that at any future Lions Convention. Melanie thank you for ‘JUDY, A Life in Song’ accompanied by your amazing Musical Director on piano for entertaining us with your professional talents. The memories and songs of Judy Garland will live on for Lions for many years to come.
I personally thank and admire your professional skills as an artist and as an Australian Icon. Best wishes to you in appreciation…
Gloria Demartini, Convention Banquet Event Co-Ordinator, Queensland Lions Convention, Proserpine Entertainment Centre
The Stage & Television Today, London, UK
“Melanie Parry is pure entertainment. Her skilful creation of her shows, the delivery, the concepts, always delivering a performance that adds another dimension to her already considerable talent”.
Her voice is like a beautiful flawless diamond – unique, remarkable and unmistakable”
Posted by The Brolga Theatre
Melanie Parry’s rendition of the late, great Judy Garland’s favourite songs can only be described as sensational and uncanny!! This talented performer bears an amazing resemblance to the show business legend and patrons won’t be disappointed when she adds her own touch of magic to her ‘Judy’, The Judy Garland Story In Song.
The show is the next in the theatre’s hugely popular Morning Melodies series and follows hot on the heels of Julie Anthony’s sell-out performance at the Brolga.
Media Release: The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
While Judy Garland is gone, her music lives on in a glamorous stage show performed by Melanie Parry called ‘Judy’, The Judy Garland Story In Song. Audiences will believe they’re really listening to Judy Garland as Melanie sings many of the songs that made the Wizard of Oz star famous including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Zing went the Strings, Meet Me In St Louis, The Trolley Song, Me and My Gal, Get Happy, Swannee, Almost Like Being In Love, and many more. Melanie Parry is an Australian performer with extensive credits both here and overseas. One British critic described her as “the glamorous Australian songstress” and it’s not hard to see why.
Audiences in Las Vegas were captivated by her performance as Judy Garland in 2001 so much so that she returned the following year for an encore season.
Media Release: Caloundra Cultural Centre
Melanie Parry brings Judy Garland back into the spotlight with a show that delights and entrances audiences. She weaves true magic as she re-creates the stage legend right before your eyes. Parry’s voice is rich with the nuance of Garland and, as we learn the real story behind the legend, we are pulled ever deeper into the story through all the great Garland songs. The audience was totally enthralled from the opening bars to the stirring final note and after the show the foyer was abuzz with nostalgia and the excitement of those who’ve just had a thoroughly good time.
Melanie Parry’s musical tribute delighted the audience as they really experienced the essence of Judy Garland on stage.
Testimonial: The Brolga Theatre
Melanie Parry has appeared at the Brolga Theatre, Maryborough, Queensland, on a number of occasions. Melanie’s Concert , ‘Judy’, The Judy Garland Story In Song, was her most memorable to date. The audience was enthralled by her vivacious soprano voice, as they were led down the Yellow Brick Road to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, Melanie’s renditions of the repertoire of Judy Garland, brought tears of joy to many members of the audience as they were taken back to the Wizard of Oz era. The comments from the audience were invariably complimentary, exempli gratia, “She not only looks like Judy Garland but she sounds like her, and even LIZA MINNELLI as well!”, to “That was the most memorable and enjoyable Concert this year!”
I consider Melanie Parry to be a sophisticated, polished and true performer of Diva Status…
John Flanagan – General Manager
Testimonial: The Pilbeam Theatre
Rockhampton Venues and Events presented Melanie Parry’s, ‘Judy’, the Judy Garland Story In Song, as part of our concert series in October. Attendances were above average for an entertainer who had not preciously performed at the venue. The audience loved the show, warming to Ms Parry’s portrayal of Judy Garland from the outset. The show itself was very professionally conceived and executed and seemed to strike a good balance between interesting anecdotes and musical numbers.
We would certainly welcome her return with open arms to our venue in the future…
Peter Owens, Manager
Testimonial: Caloundra Cultural Centre
Melanie Parry brings Judy Garland back into the spotlight with a show that delights and entrances audiences. She weaves true magic as she recreates the stage legend right before your eyes. Parry’s voice is rich with the nuance of Garland and, as we learn the real story behind the legend, we are pulled ever deeper into the story through all the great Garland songs. The audience was totally enthralled from the opening bars to the stirring final note and after the show the foyer was abuzz with nostalgia and the excitement of those who’d just had a thoroughly good time.
Melanie Parry’s musical tribute delighted the audience as they really experienced the essence of Judy Garland on stage…
Lyndall Osborne, A/General Manager
Testimonials Summary
.…“Melanie Parry as Garland is sophisticated, polished and a true performer of diva status”.
….Melanie Parry’s rendition of the late, great Judy Garland’s favourite songs can only be described as sensational and uncanny!!
….She weaves true magic as she re-creates the stage legend right before your eyes.
.…Parry’s voice is rich with the nuance of Garland and, as we learn the real story behind the legend, we are pulled ever deeper into the story through all the great Garland songs…