The new production at Arts Theatre Cronulla is Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty, A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure, which premiered in Cleveland, Ohio in 2023. As Director Michael Gooley notes in the program, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle probably did not foresee what he was unleashing upon the world with the creation of Sherlock Holmes and his ever-faithful assistant Dr Watson. However, there would be few theatre or film buffs today who would not be aware of the legendary detective and the mysteries he solves with uncanny foresight and aplomb.
In its second production of 2026, Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria presents Patience (10-12 July, Alexander Theatre Clayton, 18-19 July Queenscliff Town Hall), featuring Sullivan’s most beautiful music and Gilbert’s brilliant satire ridiculing the Victorians for their ability to hold straight-laced ideals while obsessing over the passions and indulgences of Oscar Wilde’s world of poets and painters.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia is bringing one of musical theatre's most iconic stories to the stage, when Funny Girl opens at The Arts Theatre from Thursday 28 May to Saturday 6 June 2026.
Image: Secret Bridesmaids' Business. The Guild Theatre, Rockdale, 2025
Already some companies across Australia are promising dress-up performances reminiscent of popular late-night movie screenings over the last five decades.
The Rocky Horror Show has been around for 50 years, but professional revivals have been so frequent that it’s never previously been released for amateur productions. Now, in 2026 it’s a hot new pick on the community theatre circuit, as companies line up to do ‘The Time Warp’.
Willoughby Theatre Company (WTC) will present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at The Concourse Theatre in Chatswood from April 11 to 26, 2026, for a strictly limited season.
One of the world’s most beloved musicals, Beauty and the Beast has captivated audiences across generations with its timeless story, unforgettable characters and spectacular theatrical magic. This production invites audiences inside the castle walls, where love, transformation and the power of kindness take centre stage.