Penny Shaw

With over 30 years experience, Penny is described as ‘absolutely hilarious with incredible stage presence’… her quick wit and ability to think on her feet make her a sought after Master of Ceremonies.

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Described as ‘absolutely hilarious with incredible stage presence’ Penny’s quick wit and ability to think on her feet make her a sought after Master of Ceremonies.

With over 30 years of stage experience Penny is extremely comfortable in front of an audience and has been writing and presenting her own shows since founding her own production company in 2002. She has produced and appeared in countless events in Perth and in regional Western Australia including shows for Downstairs at the Maj, Perth Concert Hall, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Broome Opera Under the Stars and the Shinju Matsuri Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, Vienna Pops New Year’s Eve concerts, Perth Symphony Orchestra, Fremantle Chamber Orchestra, Fringe World Festival and many corporate events.

In addition to a degree in Human Sciences from Oxford University Penny gained a Distinction in Radio Broadcasting Skills at ECU in 2018 and has gone on to co-present the long running Arts Collage show on Radio Fremantle with Dita Jevons. She also produces and presents her popular podcast, “Diary of a (teenage) Diva”.

As one half of successful soprano duo DivaLicious Penny has appeared as a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent, on The Voice and on Channel 7’s The Morning Show. DivaLicious have produced award winning shows which have been seen everywhere from luxury cruise ships to the Sydney Opera House.

In 2020 Penny was cast at Despina in West Australian Opera’s acclaimed production of Cosi Fan Tutte and in 2021 she earned rave reviews as MC for the 30th Anniversary of Opera in the Park in front of an audience of 5000 and live streamed to many more.

  • The City of Canning was honoured to host Penny Shaw as both soloist and Master of Ceremonies at our Carols by Candlelight event. Penny was professional, witty, engaging with the audience and absolutely hilarious with incredible stage presence. Having her as both MC and a soloist meant a seamless execution of the stage show. Penny was fantastic at making both the audience and performers feel acknowledged and part of the event. Would absolutely recommend Penny for her services and we can’t wait to use her again!!

    Kelsie Koontz, Leader City Events, City of Canning (Dec 2020 - Opera in the Park).

  • I found myself completely engrossed. A big part of this was due to Penny Shaw, who compered with a warmth and humour that made it seem as though I was sitting in her lounge room. Shaw is a soprano, and her added insights made sense of the disparate program, with witty teasing that both celebrated and critiqued the art-form.

    SeeSaw Magazine, Rosalind Appleby.

  • A constant companion to the crowd, MC Penny Shaw brought the whole show together with supreme segues and hilarious commentary and was a key part in making Opera in the Park a familiar and accessible display of talent that audiences watching from all across the state could enjoy

    Kate TWEEDIE, Limelight

  • Penny Shaw has been a huge hit as an MC at a number of functions as part of Fremantle Festival 2014. Her lovely, charismatic blend of charm, humour and professionalism have added a sparkle to these occasions and I have no hesitation in recommending her in this role for any event that needs something a bit special

    Brad Petitt Mayor - City of Fremantle.

  • Then Penny Shaw, who spiced the night with wit and wisdom as MC, joined Tymms and Marshall for Je Vais, from Berlioz’ Beatrice et Benedict; two colourful sopranos and a mellow mezzo mingled seamlessly, lullaby-like in the cadence. Shaw cracked the big time with West Australian Opera last year, as Despina in Cosi fan tutte; stepping up again to host Opera in the Park this year as the pandemic gripped the rest of the opera world. But she never got to sing in the park, so reclaimed the night in Freo

    David Cusworth The West Australian 2021.

  • Penny did a fantastic job as MC of a quiz night we held as part of the Fremantle Festival. She showed great versatility in delivering quiz questions, running an auction and a number of other fund raising activities as well as entertaining the crowd. We had great feedback about the event and will definitely engage her services in the future

    Rohan McDougall Director | IP Commercialisation, Curtin University.

  • The concert was emceed by Perth soprano Penny Shaw, who has demonstrated impressive comic chops in recent years. Even English singer/comedian Anna Russell could not have provided a funnier summation of Catalani’s La Wally. Just the name of the eponymous heroine, enunciated in Shaw’s impeccable English diction, made it hard to keep a straight face.” Sandra Bowdler

    Sandra Bowdler - SeeSaw Magazine June 2021.

  • I recently had the pleasure of having Penny MC at the launch of our inaugural event. Penny conducted herself in the utmost professional manner and made me feel at ease and in capable hands. The official proceedings flowed well and were kept tight because of Penny’s skills in managing people and time; and working according to the mood of the audience. Her true asset though is her strong and beautiful voice. Penny had a wonderful rapport with the audience – I would recommend her to anyone wishing to employ a confident MC.

    Cathrina Read, Artist Open House Fremantle.

  • Intelligent, witty, engaging and perfectly tuned to the audience, Penny was the perfect MC for three very different but well attended events I’ve been involved with recently

    Jason Beeley, Chairman Beaconsfield Primary School Council.

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