Anastasia The Musical arrives at Crown Theatre Perth with Georgina Hopson, Rhonda Burchmore and Nancye Hayes

The honour of working alongside two greats of Australian theatre is not lost on rising star of stage and screen Georgina Hopson. The Queensland-raised, Melbourne-based musical theatre performer plays leading role Anya in Anastasia The Musical alongside Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily and Nancye Hayes as the Dowager Empress. The Australian production of the lavish Broadway musical premiered at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December and has arrived in Perth ahead of opening night at Crown Theatre Perth on March 5. “I’ve just learned so much from them. . . it doesn’t get better than Nancye Hayes and Rhonda Burchmore,” Hopson said. “Rhonda is a masterclass in comedy and Nancye is a masterclass in theatre. The two of them together are unbelievable. “Sometimes I just pinch myself, getting to share a stage and share a scene with them. It’s so special and I don’t take it for granted.” Anastasia The Musical is inspired by the rumour of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s escape during the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, combined with the 1997 Academy Award-nominated animated film of the same name featuring songs Journey To The Past and Once Upon A December. “Journey To The Past is our big act one closer that I get to sing every night,” Hopson said. “It’s such a beautiful song and I feel the lyric ‘Home, love, family’ sums up the themes of the show.” Anastasia The Musical is at Crown Theatre Perth until March 28.