Kurt Kansley and Oliver Lidert have worked extensively in the theatrical industry onstage as performers and behind the scenes in production, writing, composing, directing and musical directing.
Kurt was born in South Africa and moved to Australia with his family when he was a child. In Australia he studied at Monash University for a BA in Performing Arts and at the Melba Conservatoire for a Diploma in Music.
Oliver was born in the USA and is the son of a Polish Jew and a Jamaican. He has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Arts in Philadelphia and an MA in Musical Theatre from the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Collectively Kurt and Oliver have worked in West End productions that include; The Prince of Egypt, The Book of Mormon, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, Disney’s Aladdin, Evita, Beautiful – The Carole King Story, Porgy & Bess, Pretty Woman, Heathers, and many others. It was on Disney’s The Lion King that Kurt and Oliver first met each other, kindling a lifelong friendship and the beginnings of a flourishing writing partnership.
CONFESSIONS an original musical with book, music and lyrics written by Kansley & Lidert. CONFESSIONS has had several readings and three major workshops, including a workshop performance at The Other Palace in London 2019 and a full workshop at Southwark Playhouse 2022.
HAS#ED OUT a song cycle featuring original music, lyrics, prose and scenes written by Kansley & Lidert. HAS#ED OUT was first commissioned by the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne 2019 for a week’s run and it had an intensive three week workshop at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 2023.
AUTUMN RHYTHM an original musical with book, music and lyrics written by Kansley & Lidert. AUTUMN RHYTHM has had several readings including one at The Lyric Theatre Belfast 2022. The show has also had a few music development workshops. Some of the music from AUTUMN RHYTHM has been presented live at concerts including a feature in a Home Grown concert at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne 2019 and a feature at Zidel’s The Crazy Coq in London 2022.
FABLE an original musical with book, music and lyrics written by Kansley & Lidert. FABLE has had two readings and a workshop of Act 1 with the Musical Theatre students at Trinity Laban, Greenwich University London 2022.
BEAM ME UP a one act farce written by Kansley & Lidert. BEAM ME UP had its first reading at the Turbine Theatre in London 2021 and a second reading at The Lyric Theatre Belfast 2022.
HOME GROWN– A Kansley & Lidert Songbook Series, a one night concert at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne 2019 that featured musical performances from the Kansley & Lidert cannon featuring leading Australian musical theatre performers and including a performance from Tony Award winner Paolo Szot.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS a new musical created by Mercury Musical Developments for 10to4 Productions. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS features music from an array of new music theatre writers. Kansley & Lidert’s song More Than Words on a Page was selected as the opening number.
IS THAT OK an original Christmas Song by Kansley & Lidert featuring vocals by Olivier nominee Cedric Neal. Recorded in London 2017 for online distribution with all proceeds going to the charity TheatreMAD.
THREEPENNY OPERA was co-directed by Kansley & Lidert for WAC at CityLit Theatre in London 2017.
THE SONGS I’LL NEVER SING a cabaret featuring Olivier Nominee Rachel John - written, produced, directed and musically directed by Kansley & Lidert. This cabaret played three sold out and critically acclaimed performances at the St. James Theatre in London 2015.