NEIL Diamond fans from Ipswich and across regional Queensland are helping drive overwhelming demand for A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with producers adding another two weeks to its Queensland season.
Almost 40 per cent of ticket buyers so far are coming from outside Brisbane, highlighting the extraordinary appetite among regional audiences to see the smash-hit musical celebrating the life, music and legacy of one of the world’s most beloved performers.
And when it comes to Neil Diamond, perhaps that should come as no surprise.
For generations who bought his records, packed his Australian concerts and turned songs such as Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans and I Am…I Said into household favourites, Diamond’s music has remained part of the soundtrack of Australian life.
Fresh from its Australian premiere season in Melbourne, the musical tells the remarkable true story of the kid from Brooklyn who became one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, with his life unfolding against a soundtrack that has been embedded in the lives of generations of Australians.
Queensland also has some skin in the game, with Brisbane-born performers Jordan Malone and Hannah Fredericksen, Maryborough-born Katrina Bickerton and Queensland Conservatorium graduate Etuate Lutui among the Australian cast.
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise traces his journey from a kid growing up in Brooklyn to a chart-topping American rock icon and one of the most successful performers of his generation.
It is a story with plenty of material to work with as Diamond sold more than 140 million albums worldwide and created a catalogue featuring enduring anthems including America, Forever in Blue Jeans and the almost unavoidable Sweet Caroline.
His connection with Australia stretches back decades with Diamond having toured seven major Australian concert tours.
With regional Queensland already accounting for such a significant slice of ticket sales, the message is clear: when it comes to Neil Diamond, the love affair is still going strong and Ipswich fans are part of the noise.
