Rob Mills and Jemma Rix to perform in the The Sound of Musicals at the Princess Theatre

Well known stage sensations Rob Mills and Jemma Rix will star as part of a new theatre festival coming to Launceston later this year.

WELL known stage sensations Rob Mills and Jemma Rix have been announced as the headline performers in a new theatre festival coming to Launceston in May.

The big names will star in the The Sound of Musicals at the Princess Theatre as part of the first Australia Musical Theatre Festival.

Jemma Rix and Rob Mills ahead of the production of Ghost The Musical in 2016. Picture: ROSS SWANBOROUGH

Singer-songwriter Mills was an Australian Idol finalists in 2003 and recently starred in Neighbours.

His musical theatre career has included lead roles in Jesus Christ Superstar and Ghost The Musical.

Leading lady of the stage Rix gave life to Elphaba in the blockbuster musical Wicked during its long series of tours across Australia, New Zealand and Asia and received rave reviews for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Jemma Rix behind the scenes as the Wicked Witch of the West. Picture: TOM HUNTLEY

Festival manager Jane Forrest said securing the pair for the gig was thrilling.

“As a proud Tasmanian I am also absolutely delighted that the home for this incredible new festival will be Launceston, which is a hotbed of musical theatre activity,” Ms Forrest said.

“Australian musical theatre fans have waited a long time to have their own festival and now it is happening with two of our most amazing performers to headline the event.”

She said the new event would also deliver more economic benefits to Tasmania.

The full program of the May 23-26 festival will be released later this month.

To book tickets for the Sounds of Musical visit the festival website: www.amtf.org.au