Rational Animals brings Mike Bartlett’s acclaimed play Bull to Newcastle this July, with a five-night season at The Dungeon, Adamstown Uniting Church, 228 Brunker Rd, Adamstown NSW 2289.
The play centres on three employees competing to hold onto their jobs, placing the audience squarely in the middle of a confrontation where corporate survival instincts and outright cruelty become difficult to tell apart. Bartlett’s writing examines the mechanics of workplace power, drawing a sharp line between professional rivalry and the kind of targeted behaviour more commonly associated with the schoolyard.
Press responses to the play have been strong. The New York Times called it “a modern morality, or amorality, play that keeps its adrenaline level high and, at the very end, raises it off the charts,” while The Stage described it as “short, slick and emotionally unflinching… delivers a decisive punch.”
Sessions run as follows: Wednesday 22nd July at 7:30pm, Thursday 23rd July at 7:30pm, Friday 24th July at 7:30pm, Saturday 25th July at 7:30pm, and Sunday 26th July at 5:00pm.
The production is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over. Content warnings apply for coarse language, adult themes, and themes of bullying and victimisation.
Cheers Productions is thrilled to announce the powerhouse cast that will bring the cult-hit musical We Are The Tigers to life, unleashing an exhilarating blend of pop anthems, fierce choreography and deadly secrets to Hayes Theatre from 9 October 2026. Tickets are on sale now from hayestheatre.com.au.
Set at the annual sleepover of the Giles Corey High School cheerleading squad, We Are The Tigers follows the team as their biggest problems in life pivot from a viral fail to a dead teammate. As rivalries intensify and loyalties are tested, the remaining cheerleaders must uncover the truth before they become the next victim.
Leading the squad is Brianna Bishop (Grease, Hairspray) as determined team captain Riley, alongside Olivia Vásquez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, In the Heights) as the effortlessly popular Cairo. Newcomer AJ Betts and Chelsea Dawson (SIX, Zombie! The Musical) play Kate and Chess, lifelong friends navigating the growing pains of ambition and change. Anabel Jamieson (Tivoli Lovely) stars as the devoted Annleigh, determined to keep both her faith and her cheer squad intact, while Artemis Alfonzetti (Pretty Woman, Titanique) brings attitude and edge to her rebellious stepsister Farrah.
Rounding out the squad are Jenny Guigayoma (The Addams Family) as eager freshman Mattie, and newcomers Caitlin McCallig and Millie Seeto who play loyal team mascot, Reese, and Eva, a scholarship star simply trying to make it to graduation.
Recent WAAPA graduate Pippin Carroll plays Clarke, the patient and devoted boyfriend caught in the chaos. Supporting the company are Carla Venezia (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Swing and Dance Captain and Jake Tyler (Cats, The Deb) as Cover.
Making her directorial debut, Chiara Assetta has assembled an exceptional company of some of Australia’s most exciting emerging performers alongside established musical theatre favourites. She is joined by Kim Gilbert (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as Music Director and Zoe Ioannou (The Dismissal) as Assistant Director and Choreographer, leading a dynamic female-driven creative team behind this thrilling new production.
“This cast has extraordinary chemistry, incredible vocal power and the athleticism needed to tackle one of the most demanding contemporary musicals around,” said Assetta. “They’re fearless performers who capture both the humour and heart of these characters while embracing the show’s thrilling twists. Audiences are in for a wild ride.”
Featuring an infectious pop-rock score by Preston Max Allen, We Are The Tigers has become an international cult favourite for its sharp wit, unapologetic energy and suspense-filled storytelling. Equal parts cheer competition and whodunnit, it’s a musical where every routine raises the stakes and every character has something to hide.
This October, Sydney audiences are invited to join the squad—but keep your eyes open. At Giles Corey High, they have killer school spirit.
WE ARE THE TIGERS Producer Cheers Productions Director and Choreographer Chiara Assetta Assistant Director and Choreographer Zoe Ioannou Music Director Kim Gilbert Set Designer Alice Vance Costume Designer Lily Mateljan Lighting Designer Topaz Marlay-Cole Sound Designer Courtney Weaver
SEASON DETAILS Venue: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point Season: 9 October to 8 November Times: Tues 6.30pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sunday 1pm Price: Previews from $69; In season prices Adult from $79 Concession from $74 Bookings: https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/we-are-the-tigers/ | (02) 8065 7337
A 17-year-old violinist from Meriden School in Strathfield has won the 2026 Secondary Schools Concerto Competition held last Sunday afternoon at the Concourse, Chatswood.
Connie Liu impressed the adjudicators with her ‘extraordinary’ performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto, accompanied by the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO). She was one of six super-talented finalists who had battled through heat and semi-final rounds to reach the prestigious event – competing for invaluable performance opportunities and rich cash prizes.
Hosted by ABC Classic FM presenter Vanessa Hughes, this year’s adjudicators were Australian internationals, violinist Dimity Hall (the Goldner Quartet) and SSO flautist Joshua Batty. The competition, open to secondary school pupils in years 7–12 at schools throughout NSW and the ACT, is in its 42nd year and again attracted the maximum of 100 entries.
Regarded as a stepping stone to national and international success, the competition has been held annually since 1984 and provides an invaluable performance opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talents as concert soloists accompanied by orchestra. The list of previous winners is a Who’s Who of famous Australian musicians including Amy Dickson, Natalie Chee, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Simon Tedeschi, Hyung Suk Bae and Anna da Silva Chen. Adjudicator Dimity Hall told the finalists: “You are so lucky to get this experience, to perform with an orchestra like this; it is just an incredible step up for you.”
Connie’s prizes included a $6000 cash prize, supported by Ku-ring-gai Council and North Shore Strings, performance opportunities with the KPO, as well as a handsome perpetual trophy donated to the school.
The KPO Players’ Award of $500 for outstanding work throughout the rehearsal period went to viola player Jaemin Yoo of Trinity Grammar who also won the new Dual Crescendo Award of $800 (from an anonymous donor) for outstanding potential.
The $1500 Barbara Cran Award (supported by Sydney String Centre) for best Junior went to 14yo violinist Christina Bhang of Abbotsleigh; and the $1500 Barbara Robinson Award (supported by the Violin Centre) for the outstanding senior was won by 16yo double bassist of the Conservatorium High School.
The other 2026 finalists were Kiara Morishita-Lee, 14 (Abbotsleigh) and Jeffrey Dong, 15 (Conservatorium High School).
Pictures attached (along with the full release) include Connie Liu in her finals-winning performance with the KPO and above left Christine Kay, Mayor of Ku-ring-gai council; Wendy Vardouniotis, President KPO; Connie Liu, overall winner 2026; Stephanie Rojas Raldes and Doug Cotterill from North Shore Strings.
Photos by New Point of View, Reza Bhageri.
Bring It On The Musical has firmly established itself as a contemporary classic since its premiere in 2011. In July, Melbourne’s beloved independent theatre group, Theatrical Inc will bring Bring It On’s renowned athleticism and high energy to The National Theatre in St Kilda from July 11th to July 26th.
Based on the beloved hit film franchise, Bring it On this award-winning musical follows the journey of Cameron, champion teen cheerleader Campbell, who finds herself at a crossroads when she is redistricted from her affluent high school to the rival high school, Jackson High. In a bid for victory, she joins forces with their fearless dance crew to compete against her old squad at the Cheerleading Nationals. The clever story highlights the clash between these two social worlds, bringing to the stage diverse perspectives that brought depth and comedy to the universal high school experience well ahead of its time in the early 2000s.
Boasting a prestigious creative lineage of Broadway’s finest, the show features a high-energy score collaboration between Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights) and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tom Kitt (American Idiot, Jagged Little Pill) – and a witty book by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q). This powerhouse creative team led the original Broadway production to earn 2013 Tony Award nominations for both Best Musical and Best Choreography.
Director Tahra Cannon said, “We’re incredibly excited by the progress of Bring It On: The Musical. Every rehearsal continues to showcase the exceptional talent, dedication and versatility within this cast. The energy, athleticism and commitment these performers bring to the production is truly impressive, and it’s been exciting to watch the show grow week by week. Audiences can expect a vibrant, high-energy production filled with outstanding performances and plenty of heart.”
Bring It On The Musical continues the film’s legacy, centering on the idea that genuine friendship and personal identity are more significant than winning championships and navigating high school social order. The story celebrates its diverse teen characters, including Broadway’s first openly transgender high school character, as they learn to embrace their authentic selves, reject cliques, and value integrity and teamwork – over prioritizing oneself over others.
Choreographer Louise Panagiotidis said, “It’s been so exciting to watch the choreography come to life in Bring It On rehearsals. We have such a talented cast who are bringing so much passion to every number, and I can’t wait to share all of their hard work with audiences soon!”
Bring It On The Musical is bold, explosive and unapologetically fun, a full throttle celebration of ambition, identity and finding your crew. Get ready to feel the beat, raise the stakes and bring it!
Bring It On The Musical will play for a limited season at The National Theatre in St Kilda from July 11 to July 26. Tickets are now on sale at booktickets.com.au
PERFORMANCE DATES Saturday July 11 – 1.30pm (Preview) Saturday July 11 – 7.30pm (Opening Night) Sunday July 12 – 1.30pm and 6.30pm Thursday July 16 – 7.30pm Friday July 17 – 7.30pm Saturday July 18 – 1.30pm and 7.30pm Sunday July 19 – 6.30pm Wednesday July 22 – 7.30pm Thursday July 23 – 7.30pm Friday July 24 – 7.30pm Saturday July 25 – 1.30pm Saturday July 25 – 7.30pm Sunday July 26 – 1.30pm Sunday July 26 – 6.30pm
