- Sydney’s theatre scene has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, thanks to a string of cancellations.
- However, the city’s theatres are fighting back, with a packed lineup of productions set to take centre stage from late 2026 through to 2027.
- Here’s what we can’t wait to see, from Paddington The Musical to Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical.
Sydney’s theatre scene has made headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, thanks to a string of disappointing show cancellations and early closures.
But the curtain is far from closing on the city’s live performance scene, with a strong lineup of productions set to light up stages over the coming months and well into 2027.
Here are the big new theatre productions set to wow audiences across the city, from comedies and musicals to Broadway hits and Shakespeare adaptations.
Upcoming theatre in Sydney
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical will make its Sydney premiere at the Lyric this November. Created in collaboration with the American singer-songwriter himself, the musical tells the true story of how a shy kid from Brooklyn became one of America’s biggest music icons. Featuring 23 of Diamond’s biggest hits, it stars Broadway performer Will Swenson alongside Australian actor Ashleigh Rubenach as Marcia Murphey.
Again, early signs seem promising, with the production already extending its Sydney season by three weeks due to “incredible demand”.
Where: 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009.
When: Run starts November 12.
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical
Late last year, Sydney’s theatre and music lovers celebrated the announcement that Australian icon John Farnham would be the subject of a brand-new stage musical.
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical tells the remarkable story behind the album that transformed Farnham into a household name. Inspired by the creation of Whispering Jack (still the highest-selling Australian album of all time), the production charts one of the greatest comeback stories in Australian music history.
The musical will make its world premiere at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in November, marking 40 years since the release of Farnham’s iconic 1986 album. The production has already raised a green flag: Sydney Theatre Company has announced that, due to “overwhelming demand”, the season has been extended, with a final week of performances now on sale from December 28 until January 3.
Where: 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay NSW 2000.
When: November 15, 2026-January 3, 2027.
Macbeth
Bell Shakespeare’s acclaimed 2023 production of Macbeth will return to the Sydney Opera House this November for a limited three-week season. Hailed as “utterly compelling” by The Sydney Morning Herald, the revival marks the return of one of the company’s most celebrated recent productions.
It follows the success of Mackenzie, Yve Blake’s camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, suggesting audiences still have a strong appetite for fresh interpretations of the Bard, although this production follows a more traditional script. Directed by Peter Evans and starring Anthony Taufa as Macbeth, this is set to be a thrilling, intense and compelling journey, set in the 1920s, post-World War I.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Run starts November 18.
Oedipus
One of the most exciting things about the Australian premiere of Oedipus is that beloved stars Helen Mitchel and Richard Roxburgh will be reuniting for the first time in 30 years to take on the lead roles.
Acclaimed writer-director Robert Icke (1984, Oresteia, The Doctor) brings his award-winning reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus to Sydney Theatre Company, following acclaimed runs in the West End and on Broadway.
Recast as a gripping contemporary political thriller, the production unfolds on election night, as tensions mount and Oedipus’ closest family and confidants gather. But as the results roll in, long-buried truths threaten to unravel everything.
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre.
When: January 27-February 28, 2027.
As You Like It
Helpmann Award-winning director and arts leader Marion Potts gives Shakespeare’s joyous romantic comedy As You Like It a contemporary makeover for our camera-ready era.
At the heart of this modern retelling is Rosalind, a witty, brilliant young woman whose popularity makes her a threat to her tyrannical uncle. Exiled before her love story with Orlando can blossom, she disguises herself as a boy named Ganymede and escapes to the forest with her cousin, Celia.
Meanwhile, Orlando has troubles of his own and flees to the same woodland hideaway. When their paths cross, Rosalind takes it upon herself to teach Orlando a thing or two about love, all while keeping her true identity under wraps. As Rosalind famously laments, “love is merely a madness”, and this production revels in the delightful chaos that it creates.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: March 6-April 4.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
The red curtain will rise once again on Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with an all-new Australian cast, returns to Sydney in March 2027.
Adapted from Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the stage spectacular has become a global phenomenon. But despite its international success, the production has distinctly Australian roots, having been developed by Australian live entertainment company Global Creatures, co-founded by Carmen Pavlovic and Gerry Ryan OAM.
The principal cast members include the dazzling Erin Clare as Satine, Nigel Huckle as Christian and the charismatic Reuben Kaye as Harold Zidler.
Where: Sydney Lyric, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009.
When: March 9, 2027.
Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical
Helloooo, poppets! Mrs. Doubtfire is making its Sydney debut at the Capitol Theatre in March 2027, with rising star Jake Speer stepping into the iconic role made famous by Robin Williams. Based on the beloved film, this feel-good musical comedy is bringing the much-loved nanny to the stage for a whole new audience.
The story follows out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard, a devoted dad who’ll do just about anything to stay in his kids’ lives. After a messy divorce leaves him fighting for custody, he hatches an outrageous plan: transform himself into Euphegenia Doubtfire, a Scottish nanny who can sneak into his own family home.
But as the disguise takes on a life of its own, Daniel soon discovers that keeping up appearances is harder than it looks – and that family, love and fatherhood can come with a few unexpected lessons.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: From March 2027.
A Clockwork Orange
Australian playwright Tom Wright brings Anthony Burgess’ iconic novel A Clockwork Orange to the stage in a new adaptation, set to premiere at Surry Hills’ Belvoir St Theatre in May 2027.
Set in a not-too-distant future where youth crime is spiralling out of control, A Clockwork Orange follows Alex, a sharp-witted 15-year-old with a penchant for extreme violence. After a string of brutal crimes lands him behind bars, he becomes the test subject for the State’s radical new rehabilitation program, the Ludovico Technique.
Soon, Alex is deemed fit to return to society, but at what cost? Under the direction of Margaret Thanos, this provocative tale promises a gripping theatrical experience, tackling the age-old debate of nature versus nurture.
Where: Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: May 8-June 6, 2027.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
One of Sydney Theatre Company’s biggest international success stories returns to where it all started, following sold-out runs on the West End and Broadway.
Kip Williams’ global smash-hit cine-theatre adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s story will star Nikki Shiels as the wrinkle-free Dorian Gray. Beautiful but impressionable, Dorian falls under the malign influence of Lord Henry Wotton and descends into a life of hedonism.
Shiels, who was the alternate performer during the 2022 Sydney and Melbourne seasons, is ready to prove herself as one of Australia’s most exciting theatrical talents as she takes on the coveted role at Roslyn Packer Theatre.
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre.
When: June 30-July 25.
The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert and Sullivan’s side-splitting, swashbuckling, sparkling operetta is sailing into the Sydney Opera House for the first time in almost twenty years, following a successful season at Foundry Theatre in May 2026.
Fuelled by clever wordplay, plenty of pirate puns, and feel-good tunes, The Pirates of Penzance follows young idealistic Frederic, who falls for the spirited, independent daughter of Major-General Stanley, Mabel. To win her father over, Frederic must defeat the band of pirates he once called shipmates, and chaos ensues.
Described as a “colourful, camp, classic production”, this toe-tapping musical is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: July 1-August 7, 2027.
Measure for Measure
Director Saro Lusty-Cavallari creates a gripping, contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, set to play at The Neilson Nutshell for three weeks in July 2027.
The dark comedy follows Vienna’s new ruler, Angelo, as he cracks down on long-forgotten morality laws, sentencing Claudio to death after his fiancée falls pregnant. But when Claudio’s sister, Isabella, pleads for his life, Angelo makes a disturbing counteroffer: her brother’s freedom in exchange for sex.
In this razor-sharp exploration of power, corruption and hypocrisy, one question looms large: who gets to judge the judges?
Where: The Neilson Nutshell, 13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: July 3-24, 2027.
Mackenzie
Following sold-out 2026 seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, Yve Blake’s smash hit Mackenzie returns to Australian stages in July 2027.
What if Macbeth wasn’t a Scottish king consumed by ambition, but a Disney Channel-style 13-year-old child star desperate to be famous? That’s the gloriously chaotic premise behind Mackenzie.
Described as a dark, camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Blake tells us that the production will transport the audience to the “golden era of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.” Think Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Jojo Siwa colliding with one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedies. You can check out our interview with Blake here.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: July 21-August 14.
Les Misérables
Blockbuster musical Les Misérables is set to make its Sydney Opera House debut in 2027, with Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production arriving at the Joan Sutherland Theatre on August 27. The season’s length and closing date are yet to be announced, so fans will have to wait a little longer to find out how long they’ll have to catch this theatrical phenomenon.
One of the most successful musicals of all time, Les Misérables has captivated more than 150 million people across 57 countries and been translated into 22 languages. Along the way, it has collected more than 275 major awards worldwide, including five Olivier Awards, eight Tony Awards and five Helpmann Awards.
Opera Australia’s Director of Opera, Amy Lane, said that welcoming the production to the Sydney Opera House under Opera Australia’s banner was “enormously significant”, celebrating both its global stature and “the very best of epic music storytelling”.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: From August, 2027.
Paddington The Musical
Anyone craving a marmalade sandwich all of a sudden? The multi-award-winning Paddington The Musical is coming to Sydney in September 2027, after nearly a year of success on the West End.
Based on the iconic characters from Michael Bond’s books, with the story inspired by the 2014 film, the musical is packed full of showstopping songs, dazzling choreography and, of course, mishaps and mayhem at every turn. Sydney will be just the third city in the world to host this record-breaking sensation, making it one not to miss.
You can sign up for exclusive news about Paddington The Musical here.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: From September 2027.
