HISTORY
Harley Medcalf
Managing Director
Harley Medcalf’s career as an Entertainment and Concert Promoter, Theatre Producer and Manager spans over forty years.
Beginning in the local town halls around Australia in the early 70’s, with a range of legendary Australian acts such as Billy Thorpe, Max Merritt, Tamam Shud, Sherbet and Hush, Harley’s activities now span continents, from Australia to USA, Europe, Asia and Africa.
His major concert production credits in Australia and Asia Pacific include multiple tours and productions with:
ELTON JOHN 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994
ELTON JOHN and BILLY JOEL “Face to Face” tour; 1998
Billy Connolly 1984, 1987, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2006, 2011
QUEEN in 1976 and 1984;
THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER starring MICHAEL CRAWFORD in Australia and Japan 1992 produced in association with The Really Useful Company and THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and with SARAH BRIGHTMAN and ANTHONY WARLOW created and produced under license from The Really Useful Company in 1996 in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in 1996;
MICHAEL CRAWFORD in Concert 1998, 2000 and 2003;
MICHAEL FLATLEY LORD OF THE DANCE in 1996 and 1998;
Meat Loaf 1989, 1993 and 1996
ROD STEWART IN 1977 and 1979
Kenny G 1994, 1996 and 1999
BOYZ II MEN 1993 and 1998
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK 1992
Additional Australia and Asian tours read like a who’s who of the international entertainment business, including— Frank Sinatra 1974, BB King 1974, The Temptations and the Supremes 1974, Marlene DiEtrich 1975, Dionne Warwick 1975, Roberta Flack 1975, The Doobie Brothers 1976, Bob Dylan 1977, CLIFF RICHARD 1977; Sammy Davis Jnr 1978, Bob Hope 1978, Boz Scaggs 1978, the Beach Boys, SHIRLEY BASSEY in 1994, LIONEL RICHIE IN 1997, SHIRLEY MacLAINE in 1989, SANTANA in Hong Kong 1993, The CRANBERRIES in Hong Kong 1994. Plus George Benson, Harry Connick Jr, Suzi Quatro, John Mayall, Randy Travis, The Bay City Rollers, John McLaughlin and the Mahavishu Orchestra, Julian Lennon, The Gypsy Kings, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Hank Snow and the Rainbow Ranch Boys, Slim Whitman, Janis Ian, Slim Dusty and comedians Jasper Carrott, Alexei Sayle and Bill Hicks.
In the Theatre, Harley first produced “The Male of the Species” staring Edward Woodward and Michelle Dotrice in 1974, additionally, Hinge and Bracket in 1985 and again in 1987 in their production of “The Importance of Being Ernest” Australian, “The Female Odd Couple” with Pamela Stephenson, Australian Tour 1993.
As Manager and Lead Producer for over twenty years for the widely successful Australian Comedian, Actor, Author, Writer and Painter Barry Humphries, Harley’s theatrical producing credits additionally included:
The Tony Award nominated Broadway engagement for “Back with a Vengeance!” 2004/5 Music Box Theatre on 46th St,
“A Night with Dame Edna” regional USA tours 2002, 2003, 2004.
“Look at Me When I am Talking to You” 1994, Australia
“Remember You’re Out” Australia, 2000,
“Back to My Roots” Australia in 2004,
“Back with a Vengeance” USA regional and Australian Tours 2005/6,
“My First Last Tour” regional USA and Australia, 2008/9, and the highly successful solo tours by Dame Edna throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia 1994-2000
In 2012, Harley co produced the Off Broadway play, Standing on Ceremony, at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village, New York. And supports as an investor the hit play Doyle and Debbie, which is running currently at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago.
As Founder and Producer of the Latin and Ballroom dance spectacular ‘Burn the Floor’, Harley has produced the show in more than 30 countries and 320 cities around the world in the show’s 25-year touring life.
Harley was Lead Producer of Burn the Floor on Broadway 2009/10 at the Longacre Theatre, performing 193 shows and London’s West End Shaftsbury Theatre in July/August/September, 2010. In 2011 Burn the Floor completed a 40 week USA regional tour plus an extensive World Tour, covering South Africa, Australia, Europe UK, Korea. In 2012 Burn the Floor toured through Australia, USA, China, Singapore, Korea and returned to Japan for a record breaking. Sold out 7th tour. 2013 sees Burn the Floor back on the West End for an extended run at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The company has entered into a three year deal to produce Burn the Floor on the Norwegian Cruise Line ships, The Breakaway, based in Manhattan from May, 2013, and the Getaway based in Miami from January 2014.
In 2011/13, Harley is producing the hit play “Songs for Nobodies”. Written by Joanna Murray-Smith, Directed by Simon Philips, starring Bernadette Robinson, the play has completed sell out seasons Melbourne three times, Sydney three seasons, two seasons in Brisbane and Adelaide, and to Perth.. “Songs for Nobodies” is destined for off Broadway later in 2013.
In 2013, Harley promoted a 21 date tour with Colin Hay, and regularly produces shows with Ian McNamara of ABC 702’s Australia All Over.
Harley has managed and advised many of Australia’s leading sports identities. Current clients include cricket legend Steve Waugh. Harley’s 25+ year management and business relationship with Steve has led the way in reinventing sports management, with innovate, creative strategies, and setting the bench mark in sponsorships for others to follow.
Harley is a passionate fundraiser and Board of Management member of the Steve Waugh Foundation, providing financial support to children with rare disease www.stevewaughfoundation.com.au
Harley’s the Managing Director of Duet Entertainment and Sports, based in Sydney, Australia. He is also President and CEO of USA based production companies Funnelweb Inc and Dance Partner Inc.