Sydney

The spectacular Bright Star musical presented by Sport For Jove Theatre Company, in association with Hayes Theatre Co, is a spellbinding must-see. Co-Directed by Miranda Middleton and Damien Ryan, Musical Direction by Alec Steedman and produced by Christopher Tomkinson and Isabella Milkovitsch, this creative team – along with their cast – have created an absolute masterpiece.

The magnificent cast left me in awe of their radiating talent. In the theatre world we talk about “triple-threat” performers who can sing, dance, and act. Well, this sensational cast raised the bar adding instrumental skills into the mix-quadruple threats!

This highly acclaimed production transports audiences to the 1920s and ‘40s in the American South. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell were inspired to write Bright Star after discovering an old newspaper article about the “Iron Mountain Baby” – an incredible true story of a baby’s miraculous survival after being thrown from a moving train inside a suitcase. Rescued and adopted by an elderly couple, this miraculous story sparked a reimagining that became this heartwarming, bittersweet tale.

Now to the music: the score is brilliant-one you’ll want to add to your playlist. The powerful bluegrass songs resonate with heartfelt emotion, striking the audience with every note. Congratulations to the Musical Director, Alec Steedman on an outstanding job of directing this talented cast to deliver an exhilarating performance. The impeccable harmonies and the all-round musicianship of the singers and instrumentalists were absolutely inspirational.

Hannah McInerney is sensational in the lead role of Alice Murphy. She took my breath away from the opening number with her angelic vocals, rich with Southern warmth. Her playful, engaging acting was both charming and humorous yet deeply moving in the poignant moments. At times, I was wiping away tears; at others, laughing in hysterics. Hannah kept me captivated throughout her intoxicating performance.

Kaya Byrne gave an electric performance as the charismatic Jimmy Ray. Kaya sings, plays guitar and harmonica with utmost professionalism, and conveys his character’s heartbreak and anguish with depth and honesty. Kaya’s emotive performance was deeply impactful, leaving my heart in my throat.

Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward is utterly delightful as Billy Cane. Expertly playing the cello during the show, he delivered the role with skill, energy and heart. His agile dance moves and magnetic stage presence enhanced an already brilliant performance.

Deirdre Khoo shines as Lucy, flawlessly showcasing her talents on accordion, vocals, dance and acting. Her show-stopping moves illuminated Shannon Burns’ masterful choreography. Deidre, alongside Jack Green who played the comedic Daryl, brought plenty of laugh-out-loud moments which kept the audience well entertained. Jack Green also played the sincere Daddy Cane, a contrasting character full of emotional depth and sincerity.

Genevieve Goldman, as the comedic relief character Margo,brought dynamic energy to the story. With fabulous comedic timing, striking vocals and impressive acting, Genevieve provided an engaging performance.

As the villainous Mayor, Seán van Doornum was remarkable. Portraying a detestable character convincingly can be difficult, but his superb performance captured the proud, unfeeling, and truly evil nature of the role.

Katrina Retallick and Rupert Reid as Mama and Daddy Murphy were a powerhouse duo. Katrina’s stunning vocals, especially her harmonies with Hannah, were unforgettable. Her raw intensity in the harrowing scenes amplified the emotional impact. Rupert’s portrayal of an uncompromising father, weighed down by regret, was equally striking—his natural, convincing delivery perfectly suited the show’s era.

Bright Star will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with its story and musical score. This impactful production, with its incredible stellar cast, is not to be missed. I am certain you will fall in love with it, just as I have.

To book tickets to Bright Star – A Bluegrass Musical, please visit https://www.sportforjove.com.au/bright-star-2025.

Photographer: Robert Catto

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