News

Axel Duffy To Play Marty McFly In Back To The Future: The Musical

Image: Axel Duffy. Photographer: Don Arnold

Producers John Frost, Colin Ingram and the creators of the original film trilogy Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis have announced that Axel Duffy will don the iconic puffer vest and ride the skateboard for the Australian Premiere season of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical, taking on the role of Marty McFly—the time-traveling teen originally brought to life by Michael J. Fox in the classic 1985 film.

The 39 Steps To Tour

Mix Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller with a dash of Monty Python-style chaos, and you get The 39 Steps, a turbo-charged, Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy. After playing more than three million audience members across 39 countries, from London’s West End to Broadway, this international hit, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, is reimagined and coming to Australia.

Musicals in 2025

Image: Michael Paynter and Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar. Photographer: Jeff Busby

A swag of hit Broadway and West End musicals never before seen in Australia will wend their way around the country in 2025, alongside some old favourites to tap the nostalgia buttons.

The post Covid era, along with high interest rates, combined to encourage conservative choices by musical theatre producers. The year ahead is the most innovative in a long time.

 

Theatre for everyone

Unpublished

Image: Daniel Monks in Malthouse Theatre’s

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.

PUSH IT! Undercover Artist Festival 2025 Launch.

Beth Keehn reports

For one week from 22 to 27 September 2025, Undercover Artist Festival (UAF) will take over Queensland Theatre’s (QT’s) stages. Festival Director, Maddie Little, launched her PUSH IT! program with a packed studio of fans and followers at QT’s Diane Cilento Studio on 19 June.

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. 

Access all the way: Swinging and Spinning with the Crooners

Tim McCallum (The Wizard of Oz, The Voice, Jesus Christ Superstar) is bringing a new version of his freewheeling, swinging singing show, The Crooners, to the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) for one night only on 12 June. Beth Keehn caught up with the show’s creator, director and star, and his co-director/producer, Paul Adam (Matilda Awards, IndelArts), to find out more about The Crooners: Swinging and Spinning, and the group’s quest for inclusive casting and accessible theatre.

Casting for The Lovers at QPAC

Casting has been announced for the new production of the Australian pop musical The Lovers by Shake & Stir Theatre Co and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in association with Brisbane Festival, for its premiere in QPAC’s Playhouse from 13 September to 5 October 2025.

Melbourne Season for The Lucky Country Musical

Following its debut season at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, the new musical, The Lucky Country, about what it means to be Australian, will open at Melbourne’s Lawler Theatre from Monday 13 October, before heading to Brisbane Powerhouse as part of MELT Festival.

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