Media Release

Steel Magnolias Opens In Sydney Tomorrow

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After a hugely successful Brisbane season, the play that inspired the iconic film, Steel Magnolias opens at Theatre Royal Sydney tomorrow. This beloved Southern classic features an extraordinary line up of Australian TV royalty starring Lisa McCune, Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett. Tickets are now available from steelmagnoliasplay.com. “A Heartwarming Star-Studded Triumph” – The Scoop “Unforgettable. When Australian theatre gets the casting right, trusts the material and lets the performances breathe, it doesn’t need gimmicks.” – The Courier Mail “A Joy to Behold”- Stage Whispers “Six Actresses at the Peak of their Powers”- Absolute Theatre Written by Robert Harling, the timeless tale of Steel Magnolias opens at Theatre Royal Sydney from 13 May 2026, before heading to Wollongong and Canberra in June 2026, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth in July 2026 and Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from July 2026. Tickets are on sale now from steelmagnoliasplay.com.

In the role of M’Lynn is Gold Logie winner and leading lady of stage and screen Lisa McCune (Blue Heelers, The 39 Steps) joined by Home and Away icons, Belinda Giblin (Amadeus, Doubt) as Ouiser and Debra Lawrance (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child AU and UK, A Christmas Carol) as Clairee. Acclaimed performer Mandy Bishop (Wharf Revue, Blue Heelers) plays Truvy while current Home and Away star Jessica Redmayne (800 Words, The Great Gatsby) plays Shelby. Newcomer Lotte Beckett (Julia, The Election Monologues) joins this elite line up in the role of Annelle.

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Step inside Truvy’s beauty salon, the heart of a small Southern town, where local women share their joys, struggles and a little neighbourly gossip. From weddings and babies to divorces and funerals, they face life’s highs and lows with humour, courage and impeccably styled hair. When tragedy strikes, it’s in these familiar walls that they find comfort, support and the unbreakable bonds of friendship that carry them through.

Steel Magnolias originally opened in Australia at the York Theatre at Sydney’s Seymour Centre in May 1988 and toured to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, featuring a cast which included Maggie Dence, Nancye Hayes, Melissa Jaffer, Genevieve Lemon, Pat McDonald and Nicole Kidman making her professional stage debut.

Bursting with sass, warmth and Southern charm, Steel Magnolias delivers laughter, love and unforgettable heart. www.steelmagnoliasplay.com.au

STEEL MAGNOLIAS
By Robert Harling
Director – Lee Lewis
Composer & Sound Designer – Brady Watkins
Set and Costume Designer: Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Designer – Paul Jackson
Producer – Neil Gooding Productions and Woodward Productions
By Arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical
On behalf of Samuel French Ltd, A Concord Theatricals Company

SEASON DETAILS
SYDNEY
Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: 13 – 30 May
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed, Thurs & Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm & 6pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: theatreroyalsydney.com or 1300 163 808

WOLLONGONG
Venue: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
Season: 3 – 11 June
Performance Times: Tues 6:30pm, Wed 11am or 1:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm, Thurs 1:30pm & 6:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sat & Sun 1:30pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $89 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: merrigong.com.au or (02) 4224 5999
Groups 8+ call (02) 4224 5999

CANBERRA
Venue: Canberra Theatre Centre
Season: 17 – 21 June
Performance Times: Wed 6:30, Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Thurs 2pm, Sat-Sun 1pm, Sun 6pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $55 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or (02) 6275 2700
Groups 8+ call (02) 6275 2727

PERTH
Venue: His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth
Season: 7 – 18 July
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm
Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au or (08) 6212 9292
Groups 8+ call (08) 6212 9291 or email groups@artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au

MELBOURNE
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Season: 23 July – 9 August
Performance Times: Tues- Thurs 7pm, Fri -Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm
Prices: From $55 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or phone (03) 9650 1500
Groups 8+ visit ticketmaster.com.au
Groups 20+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au

 

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Hit Hayes Theatre Co Musical Opens This Week At The Foundry Theatre

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For the first time ever, Hayes Theatre Co brings The Pirates of Penzance, one of its landmark productions to the Foundry Theatre stage, from tomorrow evening, with the official opening night on Friday 15 May. After a sold-out extended season at Hayes in 2025, plus visits to Wyong, Wollongong and Canberra, Hayes Theatre Co-Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer will raise the Jolly Roger once again as they revive their acclaimed version of The Pirates of Penzance. Madcap, hilarious and bursting with invention, Carroll’s sparkling new adaptation harnesses the irreverent, genre-busting spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sprawling satirical masterwork and launches it into the 21st century with raucous new life. And the wildest part? Just five actors play every role.

Original cast members Jay Laga’aia (The Pirate King and others), Brittanie Shipway (Ruth and Mabel) and Maxwell Simon (Frederic) return to the motley pirate crew once again, joined by new recruits Jonathan Holmes (The Major-General and others), Sarah Murr (Isabel, Barry and others) and Tana Laga’aia (swing). Together, this fearless ensemble conjures a world of pirates, lovers, sisters, major-generals, and many, many more. Transforming in an instant as costumes, voices and characters fly past at breakneck speed, it’s a breathtaking theatrical feat, with no safety net and truly “all hands on deck”. A “riotous example” of Carroll and Falconer’s famous “What if?” approach to theatre-making, the production was hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as “a stroke of hilarious genius.”

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Jay Laga'aia and the cast of The Pirates of PenzancePHOTO John McCrae (3).jpg

“Hayes shows thrive on being inventive, nimble and always entertaining, which aligns perfectly with the vision behind the Foundry Theatre. We’ve been looking for the right moment to bring a show to this space, and our rollicking, rowdy Gilbert & Sullivan reimagining is the ultimate way to kick off this exciting new partnership,” said Richard Carroll.

“There is a specific magic built into the DNA of every Hayes production – an intimacy that we know will translate beautifully to an innovative space like the Foundry Theatre. Expanding our reach to new spaces, creative partnerships and bigger audiences isn’t just a growth milestone, it paves an ambitious pathway that will directly fuel the creativity and scope of future Hayes productions,” said Victoria Falconer.

This is Gilbert & Sullivan like you’ve never seen it before; a full throttle tour de force, as five wildly outnumbered actors (swash) buckle up for an epic voyage.

★★★★★ “A practically perfect Pirates experience… Beautifully ridiculous charm” – Time Out
★★★★ “A hugely sophisticated show” – Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ “A delight!” – Stagenoise
★★★★ “Keeps the laughs bubbling up” – Cultural Binge
★★★★☆ “Such a treat to watch” – What’s the Show

Batten down the hatches and jig along to the Foundry Theatre for The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty. Five Actors. Every Role. The original mega-musical – re-wired, re-booted, re-duced!

SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Foundry Theatre, inside the Sydney Lyric, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Season: 12 May – 7 June
Performance Times: Tues 6:30pm, Wed-Sat 7pm, matinees Wed or Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm or 3pm (performances vary weekly)
Prices: From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

 

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Cirque Nouvelle Brings High-flying Spectacle To Brisbane And Gold Coast!

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Get ready for an unforgettable school holiday experience as Cirque Nouvelle returns to Queensland for a strictly limited season, bringing its visually spectacular and high-energy contemporary circus to Brisbane (Friday June 26) and the Gold Coast (Saturday June 27). Following sell-out performances across Australia, this internationally acclaimed production features an elite ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancing artists, delivering a thrilling fusion of physical artistry, theatrical storytelling and modern stagecraft.

At the heart of the show is a charismatic and quirky ringmaster confronting a universal theme: change. Blending humour, heart and breathtaking skill, Cirque Nouvelle explores the evolution of circus—from the nostalgic wonder of the traditional Big Top to the bold, technology-driven spectacles of today.

Audiences are taken on a visually rich and emotionally engaging journey that honours circus traditions while reimagining what the future of the art form can be. Perfect for families these school holidays, Cirque Nouvelle promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its blend of daring feats, storytelling and theatrical magic. A new evolution of circus has arrived. Book now!

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“Elevated by on-point storytelling, Cirque Nouvelle is a celebration of everything circus, highlighting its humble beginnings and showcasing what the future may hold as a sleek, theatrical spectacle for all.”

The Scoop
Brisbane
Where: Fortitude Music Hall
When: June 26 @ 6pm
Bookings: https://www.thefortitude.com.au/all-events/cirque-nouvelle-tickets-ae1663121

Gold Coast
Where: The Star Theatre
When: June 27 @ 6pm
Bookings: https://www.star.com.au/goldcoast/whats-on/live-concerts/cirque-nouvelle

 

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Laughing At Lawyers – Bondi Comedy From 20 June

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Why are lawyers so pompous and easy to make fun of? Sydney solicitor and comedic playwright Tony Laumberg offers another hilarious poke at the legal profession when the BONDI THEATRE COMPANY presents MY FAIR LAWYER at the Bondi Pavilion, from Saturday June 20. Is that a legal suit approaching???

“Legal laughs without precedent… will tickle the most earnest funny bone” – The Brag

Following the critical and popular success of Laumberg’s Bondi Legal in 2019, the BTC is back with his seventh play – an even more cutting satire featuring a pompous lawyer, his smart but inebriated wife, his illegitimate daughter… and a wacky Indian shrink!

Henry and Margaret Crowley have endured a childless marriage in peaceful uber-white St Ives for over 25 years. Henry, an outspoken lawyer, is too busy leading his prominent Sydney law firm worry about romance. Hence Margaret turning to a stiff drink or two…

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But when Cheryl, a young law graduate from Cessnock, arrives on their doorstep – claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter and wanting a job at this law firm – their quiet conservative lives go into a tailspin. To make matters worse, Henry and Margaret are secretly seeing the same psychiatrist, noted Indian shrink, Rahmish J Punjab. And to say his methods are unusual would be an understatement!

Starring Martin Portus as Henry, Deirdre Campbell as Margaret, Jade Michailidis as Cheryl and Gantanter Singh Gill as Dr Punjab. Directed by Richard Cotter, produced by David Spicer.

Laumberg says he loves torturing his popular, returning character Henry Crowley. “His trials and tribulations are comedy gold! Plus, I want to explore the humour arising from the clash of ‘old-time Australian values’ and the modern-day ambition of entrepreneurial immigrants.”

With set design by Tom Tafy and lighting design by Cian Byrne – the season includes two great Q+A sessions: one featuring the cast, the other with the playwright (with a foot in both camps) on what it is about lawyers that inspires so much laughter!
Staged in repertory with Uked! The Play-Along Ukulele musical.

My Fair Lawyer, by Tony Laumberg:
Bondi Pavilion Theatre – Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach 20-28 June
SAT June 20th 5pm | SUN June 21st 6pm
TUE June 23rd 7:30pm plus Playwright Q+A: “Making Fun of Lawyers!”
WED June 24th 7:30pm plus Cast Q+A | SAT June 27th 4:30pm | SUN June 28th 6:30pm
Bookings: www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au Playing time 75 mins (no interval)

 

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