STAGES Episode 559: GARRY MCQUINN

London-based Australian producer Garry is the GM in RGM. With over 25 years experience developing, producing and managing ground-breaking productions around the world, he is an impresario of great vision and passion.RGM Productions is an independent, Olivier Award nominated theatre production company with an objective is to discover, develop and introduce new and compelling productions to new audiences around the world.  Established in 2012 by husband and wife team Garry McQuinn and Rina Gill, the company has an impressive portfolio of productions ranging from drama, music, dance and cabaret to children’s theatre and comedy.Garry is the lead producer and managing partner of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, the Broadway and West End hit show that is now Australia’s most successful theatrical export.  For the past decade Garry has been responsible for driving Priscilla’s international success; to date the show has played to almost 6 million people in 135 cities in 30 countries around the world.After working as stage manager for Melbourne Theatre Company, Garry headed to London where he worked as stage manager for Noises Off around the world.  He returned to Australia and a life as company manager, production manager and sometimes even director for several big shows.Garry’s list of credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Steaming, Sweet Bird of Youth, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Boy From Oz, Blood Brothers and Showboat, and (while joint Managing Director of Back Row Productions) he toured many international shows including Tap Dogs, Slava’s Snowshow, Mums the Word, Gumboots, Fosse, Shaolin Monks of China, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Jerry Seinfeld, Cats and Circus OZ.Like Priscilla and Tap Dogs, Garry’s story is quintessentially Australian.  Before winning a scholarship to NIDA (Australia’s national drama school), he spent his youth playing semi-professional football and surf-lifesaving on Wollongong’s beaches.  After leaving school he worked on the blast furnace floor at the Port Kembla steelworks where he fell in with a gang of immigrant labourers who nurtured his interest in theatre and encouraged him to apply for NIDA.Garry not only won a scholarship and graduated, but returned some years later to teach – and then head NIDA’s Production Course for over a decade.  He has enjoyed an unbroken relationship with the school for over four decades including two terms as a member of the Board of Directors.  He is currently serving as a member of the NIDA Foundation Trust board.Garry joined the STAGES podcast from London to reflect on a celebrated career …. making and presenting impactful theatre.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au