Just the two of us…

MUSICAL theatre and operatic icons David Hobson and Marina Prior will bring their rescheduled intimate concert to the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts this month.

Hobson said The 2 of Us’ two-hour program on Tuesday, 14 December will feature an eclectic mix of music that “people want to hear;” opera, musical theatre including The Phantom of the Opera and Rodgers and Hammerstein, a classical repertoire, Celtic, modern, and folk-pop.

“People are used to seeing us behind costumes and lots of make up as characters, or on telly, but this is really up-close and personal and they get the back-story,” he said.

“They’re going to hear some lovely music and have a lot of fun. There’s a lot of laughing.”

The pair have known each other since they performed in the Broadway version of The Pirates of Penzance in 1984; both their very first professional show.

“Marina and I have a very strong connection, a long history, and we’re very good friends. We’re so relaxed together on stage that’s it’s a no-brainer, with our connection, voice types and history,” Hobson said.

The 2 of Us is musically directed and accompanied by pianist David Cameron. The performers have now staged over 150 shows together, which they said has been a “joy.”

“It’s great that we have the opportunity to take the show to the people, in areas around the country that we may not have otherwise been able to get to with some of the bigger productions we perform in,” Prior said.

A former Ballarat boy and Old Grammarian, Hobson is a patron of the Ballarat Arts Foundation.

“It’s always fun to come back to Ballarat. I have very strong connections there and feel I was given great opportunities there,” he said.

“It was always a great nurturing, mentorial-type place, with great small theatre groups. It’s very rich culturally.”

For tickets, visit wcpa.com.au.