Minchin honoured among Blanchett, Weaver and Rush
Tim Minchin has been honoured today with a bronze plaque on Sydney's Theatre Walk at Walsh Bay.
The Perth-raised entertainer joins the likes of Cate Blanchett, Jacki Weaver, John Bell and Geoffrey Rush, who have previously been bestowed the honour.
"I got my very own manhole in Sydney. #proudholeowner," he wrote alongside a photo of him smiling next to his plaque which he posted to his Instagram account.
Minchin is back in Australia to launch Matilda the Musical.
More than 20,000 people have seen the show every week in London and New York.
It is based on Roald Dahl's popular children's book and has won more than 50 international awards, including a record seven Olivier Awards and four Tony Awards and will premiere in Australia on July 28 next year at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.
During a media launch for Matilda in Sydney this week, Minchin said he's immensely proud to be bringing Matilda the Musical home to Australia, a decade after he left, and contribute to our theatre scene.
"I don't want to just be someone who left it, I want to be someone who put stuff back into it," he said.
In November, the search will begin for the young performers set to fill the shoes of Matilda, before the show kicks off in Sydney next year.
"They're not too razzle, dazzle Broadway type kids," Minchin said, so they can show the trials Matilda has had to deal with.
Although "shortness" will also be key.
"They do have to be small because they're playing a five- or six-year-old but the kids we find, you can't believe that they just keep coming, they're so bright," he said.
Tim Minchin at the unveiling of his special commemorative bronze plaque in Sydney. Picture: Brett Hemmings / Destination NSW/ Twitter
At the end of the day, Minchin said Matilda the Musical is based on a beloved story, adapted by an amazing playwright and then "musicalised by a foul-mouthed idiot from Perth who managed not to bugger it up."
"It is quirky and a bit dark and full of heart," he added.
"I'm unashamedly proud to be a part of it, and very, very excited that it's finally coming home to Australia."
