Stage Briefs

Sydney Season Announced for Australian Musical The Lovers

Producers Shake & Stir Theatre Co and John Frost for Crossroads Live have announced that the breakout Australian pop musical The Lovers is coming to Sydney. The new production will open at Theatre Royal Sydney on 31 October, following its premiere at QPAC’s Playhouse in Brisbane.

Stage Whispers TV in Europe

Stage Whispers TV correspondent David Spicer is in Europe reporting for our YouTube Channel.

David enjoyed box seats at famed lavish Opera Houses.

First the Vienna State Opera. 

Then the famed Paris Opera House.

The National Theatre's Dear England and news of an Aussie writer's new blockbuster.

Australian Musical Theatre Festival 2025

Stage Whispers has exclusive coverage of the Australian Musical Theatre Festival just completed in Launceston from our correspondent Rose Cooper.

The Songs That Got Away.

Sunday in the Park.

Some Enchanted Evening.

When I Get My Name In Lights.

Aussie Play Scores Six Tony Nominations

The Sydney Theatre Company production of The Picture of Dorian Gray has picked up six Tony Award nominations including one for Best Director, Kip Williams, and another for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Sarah Snook.

The production was also nominated for Best Costume Design of a Play, Marg Horwell; Best Lighting Design of a Play, Nick Schlieper; Best Sound Design of a play, Clemence Williams and Best Scenic Design of a Play, Marg Horwell and David Bergman.

Trent Dalton’s Love Stories Tour

Following its premiere at Brisbane Festival in 2024, the stage adaptation of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories will play a four-city tour in September 2025, traveling across the country from Parramatta to Canberra, Darwin to the Gold Coast. 

Australia Music Theatre Festival

Australian Musical Theatre Festival, Artistic Director, Tyran Parke has unveiled the final program and the remaining artists who will be visiting Launceston from 21 to 25 May including the addition of music theatre icon NANCYE HAYES.     

Cast Announced for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Step into the vibrant, hilarious world of 1980s Madrid where Pepa, a heartbroken actress, finds her life spiralling out of control after her lover’s sudden disappearance. As she searches for answers, Pepa navigates a series of increasingly outrageous events alongside a cast of eccentric characters, including a vengeful ex-wife, a best friend entangled with an international terrorist, a power-suited lawyer, and enough sedative-laced gazpacho to knock out half of Spain.

Adelaide Festival 2025 Reviews

Image: Seann Miley Moore - Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Photo by Shane Reid

Our reviewers are out and about at this year's Adelaide Festival. Check out individual reviews by clicking on the show title links below.

 

Big Name, No Blankets

 

Trent Dalton's Love Stories

 

Adelaide Fringe 2025 Reviews.

Image: Dear Diary,

 

The 2025 Adelaide Fringe is now well underway, and Stage Whispers reviewers are out and around. Click on the production name links below to read individual show reviews.

 

Image: Oh My Heart, Oh My Home

Adelaide Fringe Kids Show a Sensory Playground for Neurodiverse Audiences

Premiering at Adelaide Fringe 2025, Press Play is an autistic led, sensory friendly interactive live music concert for kids aged 0-7 years. Featuring all original music, this brand new show is designed to offer “a sensory playground for kids of all abilities”, says the show’s creator Adelaide musician and Music Therapist, Alice Orchard.