Due to the release of Tina Arena's album Just Me for Sony Music, Tina is performing three previously contracted concerts at the Olympia Theatre in Paris in October. These concerts were sold out a year previously before she had committed to perform as Sally Bowles in the Sydney season of Cabaret. As such the Producers of Cabaret announced that Tina Arena is unavailable for one week only of performances of Cabaret from Sunday 6-13 October 2002, due to this pre-existing commitment.

Sony Music Entertainment Australia's Chairman & CEO Denis Handlin said today "Tina is a tremendous artist who has achieved great success both here and overseas: for example, she has sold over 1 million records in France alone. Her Parisian fans have keenly snapped up the opportunity to see Tina perform in three concerts during the week October 6 to 13 October, which of course will see Tina absent from the show for that short period."

During this limited period, Saskia Smith, a NIDA graduate, will be performing the role of Sally Bowles. Saskia has already received notable reviews for her strong performance of Sally Bowles when Ms Arena was unwell for two days in August. Alan Jones of radio 2GB in response to several callers' comments said, "Everyone says she (Saskia Smith) does a fantastic job.".

Ms Arena said today "I will miss being in Sydney because I am having such a great time in the role of Sally Bowles. I look forward to coming back to my Sydney fans and will be on stage again on Tuesday 15 October. I leave the production for this brief time in the capable hands of the brilliant Australian cast of Cabaret who will continue to thrill audiences."

James Cundall, Director of Arts and Entertainment, said today "We are thrilled at the success of Cabaret which has stunned audiences in Sydney and in addition to Tina, we have been so lucky to have one of the best Australian casts ever assembled for the show with Toby Allen, Ian Stenlake, Judi Connelli, Henri Szeps, Nadine Garner and Tyler Coppin,"

"Tina Arena has an extremely successful music career in addition to her theatrical work and when IMG was fortunate enough to secure her for the role, we made this small concession so that she could fulfil her existing Sony Music concert commitments." Mr Cundall said today.

Following her absence from Australia for a week, Tina Arena will return to Cabaret performances on Tuesday October 15 until the conclusion of the Sydney season.

Cabaret bookings through Ticketmaster7 on 1300 136 166.

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