Ooh Brisbane (and Gold Coast), you are in for a TREAT when it comes to theatrical spectaculars opening up in our fair city in the coming months. From the toe-tapping tunes of not one but TWO musical biopics, to a beloved TV show headed to the stage, to the daring and dazzling stunts of the circus, there’s so much exciting stuff to choose from we can barely contain ourselves.
We’ve gathered together the best of the big ticket shows, so off you go, snap up tickets while you still can!
Elvis: A Musical Revolution
Get your blue suede shoes ready! The brand new Elvis musical authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises is coming to the Gold Coast! Celebrating the life and music of award-winning, cultural icon and rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Elvis Presley, this bio-musical explores pivotal moments in Elvis’ life. From his childhood in Mississippi to his triumphant 68 Comeback Special, and ascent to become “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
You’ll be singing along to all your favourite hits including Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, That’s All Right, All Shook Up, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Blue Suede Shoes, Good Rockin’ Tonight, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Don’t Be Cruel, Are You Lonesome, Return To Sender, See See Rider, A Little Less Conversation and more.
With an all-star Australian cast, dazzling choreography, and hit after hit, you simply can’t help falling in love. This musical will not be coming to Brisbane so the glorious Gold Coast season is your only chance to see it. Get all shook up and grab your tickets now!
When: 15 June – July 7, 2024
Where: HOTA Home of the Arts, Gold Coast
Tickets: From $69. Grab them here.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Experience the inspiring life story of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them. Featuring more than 20 of her iconic songs, including “Simply the Best”, “River Deep – Mountain High” and “Proud Mary”, this smash-hit musical is bringing Australian audiences to their feet night after night.
With critics calling it “simply the best” (Daily Telegraph) and “an absolute joy” (The Australian), this heart-pumping production is guaranteed to raise the roof at the Lyric Theatre!
When: From June, 2024
Where: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Tickets: from $69, see https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2024/tina-the-tina-turner-musical
Round the Twist Musical
Have you ever, ever felt like this? The home-grown TV show that raised a generation* is coming back in 2024 with all the magic you remember (and that song you can’t forget!) in a brand-new Australian musical by Paul Hodge based on the seminal stories of much-loved children’s book author Paul Jennings.
In an old lighthouse, single dad Tony Twist and his kids Pete, Linda and Bronson are about to embark on a magical adventure to unravel a 100 year old mystery and protect their home from the greedy Gribble family who want to turn their piece of paradise into an Aqua-World-Casino-Pizza-Parlour-Burger-Joint-Amusement-Park.
With the help of a haunted outhouse, a crystal ball, some friendly ghosts and smelly feet (up the pong!), this family might just have what it takes to save the day!
Whether you’re new to the Twists or a diehard fan (withoutmypants), this big-hearted musical filled with soaring song and jaw-dropping design is for everyone.
Captained by Director and Dramaturg Simon Phillips (Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, Ladies in Black), Round The Twist The Musical is a quintessentially Australian joyous celebration of oddballs and misfits—where if you stand out then you’ll fit right in!
When: From June 2024
Where: Playhouse, QPAC
Tickets From $59
Fancy Long Legs
Fancy Long Legs is a brand-new glittery and vibrant musical adventure for children, based on a new picture book by Brisbane’s international tinsel and craft icon, Rachel Burke.
Fancy Long Legs is the story of Fancy, a spider who loves to create but struggles to stay focused on her creative task of web-building. With the support of her spiderling friends, Fancy goes on a beautiful journey of self-discovery to find her own style and make something no one else can.
This uplifting story takes a sparkly and relatable look at neurodivergence, offering a playful and glitter-covered adventure of acceptance, staying true to yourself and finding friends who love you and celebrate your differences.
La Boite Theatre, Brisbane Festival and The Little Red Company (Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols, Lady Beatle) join forces this September bringing this bright and bold family work to life, gifting sparkle, inclusivity and catchy tunes to our youngest theatregoers.
Fancy Long Legs is a ground-breaking fully accessible work for young audiences and the young at heart created to ensure the theatre experience is welcoming, safe and inclusive for all.
When: September 12–22
Where: La Boite Roundhouse Theatre Kelvin Grove
Tickets: From $29. Grab them here.
Limbo: The Return
The folks at Strut and Fret are back, with a sparkling diamond of a new venue and everything. Introducting Brisbane’s hottest new theatre and bar, The West End Electric!
And what better way to welcome the new venue to the neighbourhood than with a redux of their beloved award-winning show LIMBO, which has been wowing audiences for more than a decade. But it’s not just same old same old, oh no, LIMBO has been reimagined and more jaw-dropping than ever before.
An intoxicating mix of cabaret, circus, acrobatics and ecstatic, heart-pounding live music, enthralling stage effects, and more, LIMBO: The Return is set to seduce audiences all over again.
From the creative producers of Blanc de Blanc Encore and The Party, LIMBO:The Return transports audiences to a sinister netherworld with live music composed by New York’s Jank master Sxip Shirey. This world-renowned show is not to be missed!
When: 29 Aug — 21 Sep
Where: The West End Electric, 125 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101
Tickets: From $75. Grab them here.
Grimm: Tales from the Brothers Grimm
Happily, ever after? Never. GRIMM, the latest tour de force from Shake & Stir Theatre Co beckons you into a world where fairytales are reimagined with a profound intensity. Be warned – these bedtime stories may cause nightmares…
Within darkened corridors and haunting landscapes, Snow White, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood emerge from the shadows, the truth behind their stories—warts and all—boil and bubble to the surface.
From the company behind the award-winning stage spectacles—Frankenstein, Jane Eyre and A Christmas Carol—comes this bold adaption of tales from the Brothers Grimm in a bewitching theatre experience. Adapted by Nelle Lee, directed by Daniel Evans and costumes designed by Australian fashion icon Paul McCann—expect a lavish, loud and lucid night.
Tuck yourself in…
When: 31 August to 22 September, 2024
Where: Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Tickets: From $69. Grab them here.
Cirque Du Soleil Luzia
Join us as we take you on a journey into the colorful and fantastical world of LUZIA, set in a make-believe Mexico, where you will be treated to stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances.
LUZIA deftly guides you through the locations, people, and sounds of both classical and contemporary Mexico, taking you from urban locations like an old movie set and a smoke-filled dance hall to the beach and barren desert.
When: September 25 – November 10, 2024
Where: Under the Big Top, Next to Royal Queensland Golf Club (465 Curtin Avenue East Brisbane, QLD)
Tickets: From $85. Grab them here.
Wicked
Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other young women meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. The other is bubbly, blonde, ambitious and exceptionally popular. They become rivals, then friends… until the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked.”
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Recently celebrating 20 years since its premiere on Broadway, Wicked remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world. Over 65 million people worldwide have seen this spectacular phenomenon, and Wicked has become the 4th longest running show in Broadway history.
The stellar Australian cast is led by Queenslander Courtney Monsma as Glinda, the bubbly popular girl who becomes “Glinda the Good”, and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, the girl born with emerald-green skin who grows up to become the “Wicked Witch of the West”. Robyn Nevin plays the role of Madame Morrible, Todd McKenney is the Wizard, Brisbane’s own Liam Head plays Fiyero, Adam Murphy is Dr Dillamond, Shewit Belay plays Nessarose, Kurtis Papadinis is Boq and Zoe Coppinger is the Elphaba Standby.
When: From September, 2024
Where: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Tickets: From $75. Grab them here.
Six the Musical
The triumphant return of the record-breaking queens! Following sensational sell-out seasons across Australia, the pop musical phenomenon SIX the Musical is set to return to Brisbane in January 2025!
Globally celebrated, SIX the Musical has won 35 major international awards, including two prestigious Tony Awards and a Grammy nomination. In this high-octane 80-minute musical experience, the feisty Tudor queens boldly rewrite five hundred years of history.
With a global audience of 3.5 million people per year and a staggering 600 million soundtrack streams, SIX the Musical has become a cultural sensation, amassing an incredible 3 billion TikTok views worldwide. Don’t miss your chance to experience this HERstoric musical, in an unforgettable production that promises to have you losing your head!
Where: Playhouse Theatre, QPAC
When: 2 January to 9 February, 2024
Tickets: From $65. Grab them here.
Sister Act
The most heavenly of musicals, Sister Act, starring Casey Donovan, Genevieve Lemon and Rhonda Burchmore, will debut in Brisbane from February.
In the biggest role of her career to date, Casey Donovan will lead the cast in as Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the hit film. Joining Casey in donning the habit will be the much-loved Genevieve Lemon in the role of Mother Superior and Rhonda Burchmore as choir leader Sister Mary Lazarus.
Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Based on the iconic film starring Whoopi Goldberg and featuring original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted, The Little Mermaid), and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures.
When: From February 2025
Where: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Tickets: Waitlist for tickets here now.
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.
