An Australian theatre production company that staged major musical tours has collapsed with debts totalling $7.5 million, leaving dozens of performers and crew unpaid and prompting anger over a new business already producing shows under the same leadership.
David Venn Enterprises, the firm behind large-scale productions such as Elvis: A Musical Revolution and Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, entered liquidation in August 2024.
According to a report by liquidator Mitchell Ball of Mackay Goodwin, the company failed with unpaid debts to 77 creditors, including hotels, media firms and global tech giant Meta, and nearly $440,000 in outstanding superannuation.
One performer, speaking to news.com.au on condition of anonymity, claimed the cast was left blindsided by the financial collapse.
“It has really messed a lot of people’s lives up. People turned down other work with equal wages and long tours – people are still really angry,” the performer said.
Government compensation has helped offset some of the impact, with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations confirming $744,000 had been paid to former staff under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme, though this does not include unpaid superannuation.
The…