News

Opera Australia Unveils 70th Anniversary Season for 2026

Opera Australia has unveiled its 70th anniversary season for 2026. Acting CEO Simon Militano said Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary season honours the talented creators, performers, loyal supporters and audiences who have shaped the company’s legacy across seven decades. 

“We’re proud to present a season of extraordinary productions that revive some operatic masterpieces and crowd favourites and invest in new productions that shine a light on emerging talent and stories that reflect the diversity of Australian communities.

Julie Andrews’ Production of My Fair Lady Returns to Sydney to Celebrate the Musical’s 70th Anniversary

Image: My Fair Lady 2016 tour image by Jeff Busby.

Celebrating 70 years since its debut, Lerner and Loewe’s iconic My Fair Lady returns to the Sydney Opera House guided by musical theatre and Hollywood royalty Julie Andrews and co-directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer from September 2026.

The Phantom Returns to Sydney Harbour

Opera Australia has announced the return season of The Phantom of the Opera, to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2026, kicking off the show’s global 40th anniversary celebrations.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has played to more than 160 million people in 205 cities across 58 territories, and in 21 languages.

Ben Hall To Join Samantha Jade In Pretty Woman

Star of stage and screen Ben Hall will be joining Samantha Jade in the cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical, which makes its debut at QPAC Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane in October before debuting at Theatre Royal Sydney from November.

Based on the iconic film, Ben will play the role of Edward Lewis, famously played by Richard Gere and is joining Samantha Jade, who will play the role made famous across the globe by the much-loved Julia Roberts.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: JULY AUGUST 2025 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

IN THIS EDITION

Purr-fect Return

Todd McKenney and choreographer Chrissie Cartwright on Cats

Praise Be, Or Cancel It?

The Book of Mormon comes knocking at our Stage Doors again

Bleeding for Kimberley Akimbo

Mitchell Butel on Kimberley Akimbo and his new role at the STC

A Step in Time

The Choreographer on Easy Street

Debora Krizak – Miss Hannigan in

Samantha Jade to Star in Pretty Woman. Sydney Season Announced.

Samantha Jade will star as Vivian in the upcoming Broadway and West End musical PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical, which makes its debut at QPAC Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane in October before debuting at Theatre Royal Sydney from November.

Based on the iconic film, Samantha will play the role made famous worldwide by the much-loved Julia Roberts.

When Everything Wrong is RIGHT

The Play That Goes Wrong has returned to Australia and New Zealand.

Reuben Kaye Artistic Director For Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026

Image: Reuben Kaye - Photo by Claudio Raschella

Adelaide Festival Centre has announced multi-award-winning Australian comedian, singer, and writer Reuben Kaye will take on the role of Artistic Director for the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

During the final weekend of the  cabaret festival, current Artistic Director Virginia Gay handed over the reins to Reuben Kaye at the sold-out 25th Birthday Party in the Banquet Room. 

Tony Awards 2025

Australian Actress Sarah Snook and Costume Designer Marg Horwell have each won a Tony Award for the play The Picture of Dorian Gray.

In her acceptance speech Snook said “This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway… it is billed as a one person show, but I don’t feel alone on any night that I do this show. There are so may people on stage making it work, and so many people behind the stage making it work – in particular a huge thank you to [adapter and director] Kip Williams who is incredible to create this.”

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