There are a few things I consider non-negotiable on my annual calendar, and seeing Brisbane’s most deliciously wicked musical theatre villains battle it out at A Night With The Villains is one of them. I’ve been attending since the very first season, and four years in, I’m still just as keen to discover which familiar faces from the dark side are about to steal the spotlight.
Returning for Halloween 2026, this gloriously unhinged production is back with a brand-new host, fresh villains and its most ambitious costumes, hair, makeup and character transformations yet. And if previous years are anything to go by, there’ll be plenty of reasons to cheer for the characters we’re usually supposed to hate.
Because really, who hasn’t watched a villain steal a scene and thought, Actually, I’m on their side?
This Halloween, the Grinch is taking over
This year’s big news is that The Grinch is hosting, bringing his famously grouchy green self to Halloween with a full furry costume and an ambitious prosthetic makeup transformation. Apparently, no expense is being spared in the production’s biggest season of costume, hair and makeup design to date. I’m already curious to see how The Grinch handles a room full of villains who are hardly known for playing nicely with others.
Under the direction of award-winning producer Elodie Boal (Wondered, Into The Woods), A Night With The Villains has become a Brisbane Halloween staple, earning a Matilda Award nomination along the way.
The formula combines musical theatre, cabaret and pop culture parody, reimagining infamous characters through unexpected songs and outrageous performances. The villains battle for supremacy, but the audience gets the final say, voting to crown the night’s favourite baddie.
Who’s making the naughty list this year?
For me, half the fun is discovering which villains make the cut. There’s something irresistible about watching pop culture’s most notorious troublemakers get their moment in the spotlight, particularly when they’re armed with a killer song and absolutely no interest in redemption.
Returning for another round of mischief is Kennedy Foley, who has appeared in every season and is remembered for her iconic Queen of Hearts. Jaya steps into this year’s hosting role, alongside returning cast members Ashleigh Mitchell, Aimee Duroux, Chelsea Guard, Lucy Ross, Leo Mylonas, Jett Sansom and Madeleine Ford.
Seven newcomers are also joining the villainous ranks: Croft Phillips, Joshua Moore, Emily Rohweder, Harry Ince, Billy Sim Wright, Finn George-Newman and Niamh Cadoo-Dagley.
With new faces come fresh opportunities for theatrical misbehaviour, and I’m particularly interested to see who emerges as this year’s crowd favourite. The line-up changes every season, so the competition starts all over again.
The returning creative team includes choreographer Jennifer B. Ashley, costume designer Jackie Fredericksen, hair, makeup and set designer Rosie Humphreys, and musical director Rae Rose. Carter Firmager joins as lighting designer, with Jacob Cash returning on sound.
An annual date with the dark side
Part of the appeal of A Night With The Villains is knowing you’re in for musical theatre mischief while still getting plenty of surprises. The characters change, the transformations get bigger, and the battle for the audience’s affection begins anew.
I’ve made a point of attending every season since the beginning, and returning for year four feels like a proper Halloween ritual. Naturally, I need to know who’s getting their moment this year, who will steal the show and, most importantly, who will walk away with the audience’s vote.
It’s camp, cheeky and gloriously theatrical, giving some of fiction’s most notorious characters permission to let loose without worrying about the consequences. On Halloween, it pays to be bad!
WHAT: A Night With The Villains, Season Four
WHEN: 29 October to 1 November 2026
WHERE: Ron Hurley Theatre, Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills
TICKETS: $60 per ticket; $55 per person for groups of four or more; $52.50 per person for groups of eight or more.
Get your tickets before it sells out at villainsnight.com.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
