Australia's Wonderland

Live stage shows, atmosphere entertainment,
roaming characters, concerts and events
at Australia's largest theme park. 
  • Australia’s Wonderland (later rebranded as Wonderland Sydney) was Australia’s largest theme park operating from 1985 to 2004. John became Show & Entertainment Director in 1995, after a rich history with the park as a performer and later a musical director. He was responsible for designing, planning, creating, directing and managing the entire theme park’s live entertainment program: a cornerstone of the in-park experience and branding as a family entertainment venue.

  • The program consisted of several musical stage shows, atmosphere entertainment, roaming suit characters and chaperones, a live outback woolshed experience, and several one-off special events (including concerts, fireworks and special installations). The permanent entertainment department consisted of performers (singers, dancers, suit character actors, roaming specialty acts), chaperones and theatre ushers, audio engineers, wardrobe & costume staff and stage management.

  • John designed and implemented the entertainment program in cooperation with senior management and established the forward plan for the department both financially and creatively. He generated the creative content of the program, writing scripts, arranging and recording music, directing performances and coordinating other creative contractors like choreographers, costume and stage designers to produce shows from inception to stage.

  • John was responsible for the on-going management of the department, cast and staff, budgets and operations. Creatively he was responsible for ongoing maintenance of show quality, cast changeovers and rehearsals; as well as creatively directing elements like in park announcements, coordination and scripting of special events, development of pre-ride show experiences and street theatre performances.

Celebrity Gala Night

Flagship stage show for 1997/1998. Starring the Hanna Barbera classic characters with a team of professional singer/dancers on a multi-level stage with special stage effects. "Fred & Barney have organised a big Celebrity Gala charity concert, but they've forgotten to book the actual celebrities! Well... the show must go on! And with Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Scooby Doo, George Jetson, and their own wives Betty & Wilma stepping in to replace the stars, there's a good chance nobody will notice!". Hilarious musical performances of the Hanna Barbera gang doing Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and even Elvis, accompanied by high energy professional dancers and backing singers.

Atmosphere Shows

Around the park in various locations, themed atmosphere shows took place throughout the day featuring talented singers, dancers and performers. Songs From the Homeland featured Australian folk and country classics, Boogie Wonderland was a non-stop 70's disco straight out of the bonnet of a love bug, and Soulvation was a soul music explosion by an unlikely "choir".

Outback Woolshed

A purpose built Woolshed Theatre was home to a 25 minute show starring "Ironbark Jim" and his whip and horse riding skills, live sheep shearing, sheepdogs and yarn telling.
1997 Park Brochure

1995/96 Program

Credits

1997/98
Show creator & director - John Rowe
Script writer - John Rowe
Music production - John Rowe & Hullabaloo Music
Choreography - William A. Forsythe
Costume design - Nigel Shaw
Stage design - David Wardfear
Entertainment Director - John Rowe

1996/97
Show creation - Kings Productions USA
Music production - Kings Productions USA (70's Show by John Rowe)
Choreography - Shandelle Ayers-Fisher
Costume coordination - Shandelle Ayers-Fisher
Stage design - David Wardfear
Musical direction - John Rowe
Entertainment Director - John Rowe

"A theme park is one big show on one big stage,
​taking people on one big thrill ride outside of the everyday. "
​John Rowe