That’s Entertainment as P&O Cruises Australia and Grayboy Entertainment Get Set to Wow with a New Cruise Production Show in Time for Cruising’s Return

As optimism grows for the return of cruising, P&O Cruises Australia and celebrated production company Grayboy Entertainment are also planning for the return of onboard entertainment.
‘Musicology’, a sparkling new musical production show to wow cruise-going audiences, is being road-tested on its way to becoming a big hit at sea on Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure, the latest additions to the P&O fleet.

The fast-paced, highly visual spectacle is a tribute to music throughout the ages and spans rock and pop to gospel and jazz and everything in between. It also features incredible set design, costumes and choreography created by some of Australia’s most notable names in the business.

The development of ‘Musicology’ is another landmark on the way to the resumption of cruising after the challenges of the two-year cruise industry pause. Cruise suppliers have been hard hit during the pandemic including Grayboy and the arts and entertainment community.

Grayboy Entertainment founder and director, Graeme Gillies
and P&O Cruises Australia’s Head of Entertainment, Brett Annable.

Grayboy Entertainment founder and director, Graeme Gillies’ relationship with P&O Cruises Australia spans more than 20 years. Mr Gillies said the creation of ‘Musicology’ and planning for the home-grown cruise line’s return to service was a celebratory moment for people in entertainment who have endured such a bleak time.

“The pandemic and pause in cruise operations had a hugely significant impact on Grayboy and meant I was forced to close my Sydney office and shed many staff,” Mr Gillies said.

“We’re buoyed by the positive signals that cruising will return and have been busy building our business back up with the formation of set creators, musical directors, costume designers, singers and dancers to bring Australian cruise holidaymakers what they have come to know and love – cutting edge, trending entertainment shows that leave a lasting impression.”

While P&O works to bring its fleet back home, a local cast and crew have spent the past fortnight workshopping ‘Musicology’ at Gold Coast studios ahead of dress rehearsals on board.

P&O Cruises Australia’s Head of Entertainment, Brett Annable, said the creation and road-testing of ‘Musicology’ was a reminder of the opportunity that cruising represented for so many entertainers in Australia with entertainment being such a big feature of holidays at sea.

“We’ve been waiting for cruising to come back home for so long and we’ve used the time to develop exciting new entertainment offerings that will surprise and delight fans and those looking to enjoy a cruise holiday for the very first time,” Mr Annable said.

“It’s been emotional to join forces with our partner and friend Graeme Gilles, and the Grayboy Entertainment team, in going back to what we do best – creating wonderful productions like ‘Musicology' which will make our guests smile and want to sing.”