Australia Theatre Rant

Australian Immigration and Equity rules regarding foreign actors working in Australia are quite strict.

For example, a production has to have a certain percentage of foreign investment before it can use foreign actors ( I think it's 30% currently). There has to be a reason why they need an overseas actor - it can't just be "because we want them". There are also visa conditions concerning what parts foreign actors can play & for how long. And don't forget that the government charges massive amounts for these work visas, so that's an added cost to the production.
There are exceptions made, usually for short tours of foreign productions ( I can think of King Charles III as a more recent example), although even then there will be conditions that the non-actor production roles will be filled by Australians.

I think in the case of The King & I above, it was more a timing issue for LDP that he only played for a certain period.
And TTR is a New Zealander, so he can work in Oz without needing a visa or clearance.

Oh and for what it's worth, every industry that hires foreign workers in Australia has to pay for their visas and sponsorship fees ( I'm talking permanent workers not working holiday visa people). Again, the only country that doesn't need work visa's for Australia is New Zealand.

You can have Jason Donovan back whenever you like! :-)

Also non-Asian.

David, I like your style

Given the relative dearth of actors who aren’t of the Hemsworth mold being cast in Australia, I think the Australian companies go for the “person of colour” route for the King, and falsely assumed Tahu Rhodes is Maori. I saw a production In which the King was played African American actor who was based in Australia for a few years after finding success as John in Miss Saigon*.  It was merely OK but he was great.

* Part of the reason there are fewer ethnic actors cast is, according to producers, because apparently because the local audience frequently expects an explanation as to why a non-white person would be in many situations/relationships! I thought this is a pathetic excuse, until I saw the aforementioned production of Miss Saigon in which the character of the adoptive American mother was played by an understudy, who was an Asian actress doubling up on roles. Heard from the seats behind me: “Do you think Chris has a fetish?”)

Actually not the case for The King & I.
It was an Opera Australia production and he's one of their star performers, so they know he's as white as white can be. I think in this case it was more a bums-on-seats decision, and partnering him with Lisa McCune again. Despite what anyone thinks of his acting, he's very popular.
(Not saying he was the right choice for the part btw)


Back on topic - sort of- Sydney Theatre Company have just announced their 2019 season and it's very diverse, cast and production wise. 
Big name actors ( Hugo Weaving, Simon Burke, Mia Wasikowka) , a new work by Nakkiah Lui with a cast of 'an Aboriginal, an Asian and an Islander' , female led (cast & crew)productions ( Mary Stuart and Mosquitos) and Cat on A Hot Tin Roof with BAME actor Zahra Newman cast as Maggie.