Matilda and Me tells the story of the Australian debut of global smash hit stage show Matilda the Musical and its composer Tim Minchin.
Tim Minchin has earned accolades from New York, London and Sydney for his award-winning stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, making him not only one of the most in-demand Aussie expats living in Hollywood, but also earning him enough money to buy a house in Sydney.
Coogee, to be exact, where Minchin and his wife Sarah spent close to $6 million for the P&O-style residence of luxury car dealer Steve Nasteski and his wife, actor-turned-singer Alisa Gray.
The Minchins were not in town to put in a bid for what is planned to be their permanent home by the end of this year, instead sending a representative to secure the property for just shy of $5.9 million under the hammer.
Tim Minchin and his wife Sarah spent just shy of $6 million for this P&O-style residence. Photo: Domain.com.au
Word of a mystery “high-profile” buyer soon followed the sale result, with local sources suggesting they had a big part of the US television series Californication.
The TV series star David Duchovny was quickly ruled out, as was the director David von Ancken and his Aussie wife Eva, but the Minchin rumours persisted despite the continued silence from D’Leanne Lewis and Jake Carter, at Laing+Simmons Double Bay, who declined to make any comment.
Finally, a source confirmed the 40-year-old muso from Perth – who played drug-addled rock star Atticus Fetch in season six of Californication – purchased the oceanside home amid plans to make a more permanent move to Sydney’s east, where members of his family are already based.
The art deco house overlooking Gordons Bay has five bedrooms. Photo: Domain.com.au
The art deco home overlooking Gordons Bay was already lavishly renovated by architect Stephen Varady following Nasteski’s purchase of it in 2004 for $3.1 million.
The five-bedroom house includes separate formal and informal living areas, a library, private rear courtyard, swimming pool and lock-up garaging for two cars.
The Minchins and their children Violet, 9, and Caspar, 7, have been based in Hollywood since 2014, where Minchin is directing and writing the music and lyrics for Larrikins, an animated musical comedy set in the Australian outback.
Tim Minchin has earned accolades from New York, London and Sydney for his award-winning stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Photo: Justin McManus
Also in the pipeline is Minchin’s stage-musical adaptation of Groundhog Day, which premieres at London’s Old Vic later this year and on Broadway next year.