The Hayes Theatre Co. in Elizabeth Bay, Australia is set to dazzle audiences in 2025 with an exhilarating line-up of musicals and performances that promise to captivate and entertain. From the reimagined classics to fresh new productions, audiences will be treated to a variety of shows that celebrate both the time-honored and the contemporary. With an eclectic mix of creative storytelling and stunning performances, the Hayes Theatre Co. is once again proving to be a cultural hub for musical theatre aficionados.

A Dazzling Season at Hayes Theatre Co: From Classic Musicals to Contemporary Revelations

Step into the vibrant and diverse world of theatre at Hayes Theatre Co, where a lineup of six unique productions promises to transport audiences from the bustling streets of 1980s Madrid to the soulful rhythms of the American South. With a mix of comedy, musical genius, and heartfelt storytelling, this season includes everything from a whimsical retelling of Phar Lap's story to a tribute to Sondheim's legacy. Discover the powerful narratives and talented artists that bring these captivating stories to life.

A Theatrical Journey at Hayes Theatre Co: From Heartbreaks to Horses

Step into the captivating world of Hayes Theatre Co., where an eclectic array of performances takes center stage in 2025. From the vibrant chaos of 1980s Madrid to a nostalgic nod to Sondheim, and a heartwarming journey through the Caribbean and American South, this year's line-up promises to captivate audiences. The excitement builds with humorous tales of a legendary racehorse and a long-standing Mrs. Claus facing modern challenges. Let’s explore the artistic brilliance that awaits theatre enthusiasts.

A Theatrical Odyssey: From Heartbreak to Horseshoes at Hayes Theatre Co.

Hayes Theatre Co. invites you to an enthralling series of performances, each with its unique flair, at Elizabeth Bay, Australia. From the chaotic charm of 1980s Madrid in 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' to the vibrant Caribbean vibes in 'Once On This Island', these events promise a rich tapestry of narratives and emotions. With esteemed talents like Luke Byrne and Nancye Hayes contributing to these productions, Hayes Theatre Co. is set to offer theatre enthusiasts an unforgettable journey through diverse storytelling and musical brilliance.

Exploring the Diverse World of Theatre at Hayes Theatre Co.

Shirley has been playing Mrs. Claus at David Jones for forty years. Ever since she landed the role from a cattle call in 1983 out at a warehouse in Mascot, she’s taken pride and joy in taping down the white wig, patting on the rouge, and blowing the dust off her sparkling one-liners to delight children and parents as Santa’s finest off-sider. But this year, she turns up to work in early November, and is unceremoniously given her notice. Mrs Claus, say The Management, is “lacking in relevance”.

Merry & Bright

Hayes Theatre Co

Not just another absurdist, electro-swing musical comedy about a thoroughbred racehorse, Phar Lap is a rags-to-riches story with a big heart. If you’re thinking elaborate life-size puppetry and dazzling special effects, you couldn’t be more wrong (we don’t have the budget). Suspend your disbelief as an actor swaps his horseshoes for tap shoes to play one of Australia’s most beloved icons.

Phar Lap

The NSW premiere of the ingenious and inspiring musical by the superb Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Drawn from a true story and featuring a Tony-nominated score, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s.

Bright Star

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting duo of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime) comes the Olivier Award-winning Once on This Island. This vibrant adaptation infuses its Caribbean roots with Australia’s own rich cultural tapestry, injecting new life into the Hans Christian Anderson tale, The Little Mermaid.

Once On This Island

Being Alive celebrates Hayes audiences’ love affair with Sondheim, following acclaimed, award-winning, and sold-out seasons of Assassins (2017), Merrily We Roll Along (2021), and A Little Night Music (2023).

Being Alive

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.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Bialystock and Bloom! Those names strike terror and hysteria into anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult-comedy film, or the smash-hit, record-breaking Broadway musical it inspired. Blazing the trail for a new kind of modern, outrageous, in-your-face musical comedy, The Producers won a record 12 Tony Awards. Now, the show comes to the Hayes in an all-new production!

The Producers

After kicking off a residency at Hayes in 2024, following a decade at the centre of Melbourne’s new musical theatre writing scene, Home Grown has already established itself as a staple of the Hayes program with sold-out shows throughout the year.

Home Grown

Following an acclaimed 2024 event that sold out in record time, Theys at the Hayes returns with a brand-new line-up for another one-off performance during Sydney Mardi Gras. Celebrating star quality that’s self-defining, and featuring leading players and new faces from across our industry, Theys at the Hayes is conceived and co-produced by Blake Appelqvist (they/them – star of & Juliet, Fangirls, and Hayes’s Spamalot, American Psycho and Bonnie & Clyde).

Theys at the Hayes

Hayes Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer harness the irreverent, genre-busting spirit of a sprawling, satirical, musical masterwork, and bring it to raucous new life for a 21st-century audience. This brand-new, boisterously joyful adaptation is brought to life by just four bold performers (plus one even bolder onstage swing!).

The Pirates of Penzance

The Apple Tree is made up of three musical miniatures. The Diary of Adam and Eve is a quirky, touching spin on the tale of the world’s first couple, adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. The Lady or the Tiger? is a rock and roll fable set in a mythical barbarian kingdom, which explores the fickleness of love. Passionella is based on Jules Feiffer’s offbeat Cinderella-story about a chimney sweep whose dreams of being a glamorous movie star nearly sabotage her one chance for true love.

The Apple Tree

From a cult event at The Old Fitz, to Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Adelaide Cabaret Festival, this must-be-seen-to-be-believed onslaught is now a firm favourite of Hayes audiences. Actor-comedians Jane Watt (Godspell, Spamalot) and Rob Johnson (Calamity Jane, Boomkak Panto, Rosehaven) lead an ensemble of Sydney’s best improvisers, as well as some special – often terrified – guests from the top ranks of Australian music theatre.

Musical Bang Bang

Featuring a cast of singer-musicians that includes Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward (My Brilliant Career, Little Women), David Butler (Love That For You), Hany Lee (Hamilton), and Willow Sizer (Guys and Dolls), this is an intoxicating musical odyssey about love, death and whisky – written and composed by Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812). This production has previously had two sold-out Melbourne seasons, Meat Market Stables (2021) and Gasworks Arts Park (2019).

Ghost Quartet

Based on the 1960 film The Apartment, starring Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon, Promises, Promises follows a young junior executive at an insurance company, who seeks to climb the corporate ladder by allowing his apartment to be used for trysts by his married superiors. With all the wonderful Bacharach and David songs you love, including ‘Say A Little Prayer’, ‘A House Is Not A Home’, ‘I’ll Never Fall In Love Again’ and ‘Promises Promises’.

Promises, Promises

Somewhere on the fringes of the internet, Ria e-meets Flick and instantly falls in analogue love. They’ve never actually met IRL, but their passion is as real as the moon landing, the loch ness monster and the flying saucers over Roswell. That is, until Ria learns with horror that Flick is a ‘Flat Earther’ – and Flick learns with horror that Ria is a ‘Globe Earther’. In this beautiful and chaotic electro-pop musical epic, star-cross’d lesbians tumble into the depths of the dark web – where the most far-out, dangerous conspiracy theories turn out to be very, very real…

Flat Earthers: The Musical

Ever since the epoch-making 1991 St John’s Regional College, Dandenong Talent Quest, Geraldine and her brother Nick shared a passion for music – two competitive siblings with one teenage dream. But he got a “normal job”, and she went into musical comedy – could things get any worse? Hell yes!

Geraldine Quinn: The Passion of Saint Nicholas

An evening of storytelling, music, and yearning to find the flamenco dancer inside, SHRAPNEL, is an autobiographical theatrical work created by Natalie Gamsu, director Stephen Nicolazzo, and dramaturg Ash Flanders.

Shrapnel

Hayes Theatre Co has always been both a development hub for Australian music theatre talent and an engine of new music theatre writing. The Festival of New Work not only gives you the opportunity to see the next big thing in musical theatre, but also creates pathways and connections for artists to progress their own creative journey.

Festival of New Work 2024

For the first time ever, opera fills the intimate Hayes space with Benjamin Britten’s spine-chilling masterpiece The Turn of the Screw.

The Turn of the Screw

Joshua Robson Productions (City of Angels, Bonnie & Clyde) is thrilled to present Little Women, an enchanting production that continues to resonate with audiences, reminding us of the enduring relevance of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel.

Little Women

By popular demand, musical theatre star, Queenie van de Zandt, once again brings her multi-award-winning show, BLUE back to the Hayes for a third sensational season!

Blue: The Songs of Joni Mitchell

The Grand Dame of Drag and Cabaret, Tash York, is taking you on an adventure almost as untamed as her real girl hair! With her matchless brand of comedy-cabaret and incredible vocals, Tash York is full of exuberance, and outrageous behaviour – She’s drag, she’s cabaret, and she’s probably had a few wines. BenDeLe Creme… on budget!

It’s up to you Tash York, Tash York

Witness all of your favourite divas on stage together, in the singular form of internationally acclaimed performer, Christina Bianco.

Christina Bianco: In Divine Company

In this hilarious and exhilarating story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a rollercoaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other – the chance to return to life. Bursting with witty, memorable songs and featuring some of the most compelling characters in modern musical theatre, this remarkable show makes a uniquely uplifting and deeply funny case for what makes a life worth living.

Ride The Cyclone

Join Laura Murphy, the creator of Zombie! The Musical, as she shares the story of its creation, and presents special performances of your favourite songs from the show – as well as an exclusive chance to hear a deleted song, and a few other surprises!

Into Her Brains

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic Tell Me On A Sunday is a musical that charts the course of a young English girl newly arrived in New York. Brimming with optimism, she sets out to seek success, companionship and, of course, love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties and heartaches, she begins to wonder whether – in fact – she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.

Tell Me On A Sunday

After nine celebrated years at the centre of Melbourne’s new musical theatre writing scene, Home Grown’s popular events finally arrive in Sydney at their natural home. Home Grown is a not-for-profit company dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting Australian musical theatre. Their one-of-a-kind concerts see the hottest talent in the Australian musical theatre industry come together with the country’s most exciting writers to celebrate the new works coming from our own backyard. Hear writers and composers talk candidly about their work, as they introduce never-before-heard songs. These electrifying concerts are set to be a staple of the Hayes program, so grab your tickets for this Sydney premiere event.

Home Grown (Mar)

Sydney, Australia. It’s the turn of the 21st century, and a dedicated community theatre troupe is frantically rehearsing in the final hours before their big opening night. Little do they know that beyond the walls of the theatre, a highly infectious disease is rapidly spreading through the city – turning its victims into full-blown zombies. Will humanity take its final bow, or can the power of musical theatre save the friggin’ world?

Zombie! The Musical

Helpmann award-winner Michael Griffiths IS Madonna. No accent, costume or wig. Just Her Madgesty, the Queen of Pop leading you on a journey through her tough life and tender songs. Strike a pose, get into the groove and express yourself as Madonna opens her heart. Written and directed by Helpmann award-winner Dean Bryant (Sweet Charity, Assassins, A Little Night Music).

In Vogue

Australian icon, political activist and living legend, Carlotta AM has led an extraordinary life: good times, bum times, she’s seen them all and my dear, she’s still here. Following two sell-out seasons at Hayes Theatre Co, Carlotta returns to the Cross in her 80th year to bid a fabulous farewell in this very special Mardi Gras season. Musical direction by Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths.

Carlotta

Expect heart, soul, stellar vocals and a whole lot of queer fabulousness, as LGBTQI+ performers pay tribute to their favourite queer artists – performing reinventions of the songs that helped shape our identities and define our communities. Songs of protest and thumping dancefloor beats, guitar-playing lesbians and disco gays, blasting out of speakers mounted precariously on garish parade floats – from George Michael to Janelle Monáe, Electric Fields to Elton John, Troye Sivan to Tracy Chapman, any genre is up for grabs. The only rule? The songs performed must have been made famous by another LGBTQI+ artist.

Homage

Grab your tickets quickly for this one-off concert celebrating star quality that’s self-defining. From leading players to new faces, host Blake Appelqvist (they/them) – star of & Juliet, Fangirls, and Hayes’ Spamalot, American Psycho and Bonnie & Clyde – will be joined by an array of gender expansive performers and musicians to showcase the true breadth of talent in the Australian entertainment industry.

Theys at the Hayes 2024

They’re Playing Our Song is one of Australia’s most loved musicals, with a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carol Bayer Sager and music by Marvin Hamlisch. The musical’s story is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager, a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, love, romance and mayhem ensues.

They’re Playing Our Song

To celebrate our 10th birthday, Hayes is doing something we’ve never done before – a fabulous limited-capacity ticketed party, stretching through our foyer, balcony, backstage, band room and stage. THE ENTIRE VENUE will be transformed by some of our most talented set designers, and throughout the evening you’ll enjoy roaming musicians and surprise pop-up performances, as you explore parts of the theatre never previously accessed by the public. The last decade has seen some miraculous milestones within these walls, so come and join us for a spectacular, one-of-a-kind celebration where you’re invited into the secret spaces where these moments were made – and even be a part of creating some more.

House Is Open

Indulge in an evening of opulence, where each note is a celebration and every sip of champagne is a toast to the extraordinary.

An Evening With: The First Ten Years

From a cult event at the Old Fitz to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, this must-be-seen-to-be-believed onslaught now takes up a quarterly residence at the Hayes. Actor-comedians Jane Watt (Jazz or a Bucket of Blood, Godspell, Spamalot) and Rob Johnson (Calamity Jane, The Boomkak Panto, Rosehaven) lead an ensemble of Sydney’s best improvisers, as well as some special – possibly terrified – guests from the top ranks of Australian musical theatre.

Musical Bang Bang (Jan)

March into the extraordinary world of The Hello Girls, a contemporary musical brimming with folk and pop earworms, charting the journey of a feisty bunch of trail-blazing women who turned the US Army on its head and made history.

Hayes Theatre Co.

Nov 28 - Dec 21, 2025

Merry & Bright

Oct 17 - Nov 22, 2025

Phar Lap

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