Artistic Directors of Hayes Theatre Co, Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer, this evening unveiled an exciting line up of productions for their 2026 Season celebrating the best of musical theatre and cabaret. Featuring a mix of classic and new Broadway smash hits alongside daring new Australian works, Hayes Theatre Co continues its tradition of delivering intimate, powerful theatre that punches far above its size.
The 2026 Season opens with the world premiere of BARBRA: The Greatest Star, a tour de force concert event honouring the trailblazing musical storyteller that is Barbra Streisand. Directed by Brittanie Shipway, with music direction by Nicholas Gentile, it plays a three-week season from 21 January.
February/March sees the Sydney premiere of the joyfully queer, high-camp musical comedy Head Over Heels directed by Ellen Simpson, with assistant direction and choreography by Ryan Gonzalez (In The Heights). Music direction will be by Zara Stanton. Season runs 20 February to 22 March.
This is followed by the Australian premiere of recent Broadway smash-hit Gutenberg! The Musical!, directed by Richard Carroll and starring the hilarious Stephen Anderson (Titanique) and Ryan Gonzalez (In The Heights). Choreography will be by Shannon Burns, with music direction by Zara Stanton. Season runs 10 April to 10 May.
Beginning in May, the hilarious movie adaptation Dirty Rotten Scoundrels returns to Sydney in a glittering new production, directed by Rebecca McNamee with music direction by Dylan Pollard. Season runs 22 May to 21 June.
In July, Julia Robertson returns to the Hayes after her success with The Producers, to direct The Addams Family with its frightfully fantastic slew of kooky characters. Choreography will be by Shannon Burns, with music direction by Zara Stanton. Season runs 11 July to 9 August.
Next on the program is the rollicking comic gem of satire and song, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, with direction and choreography by Hayes favourite Cameron Mitchell. Season runs 28 August to 27 September.
October sees the Sydney premiere of the seriously silly, pop-rock thriller where cheer meets fear, We Are The Tigers, directed and choreographed by Chiara Assetta. Assistant direction and choreography will be by Zoe Ioannou. Season runs 9 October to 8 November.
The year concludes with the world premiere of Silver Tongue, a bold musical reimagining of Treasure Island created by breakout Australian talents Miranda Middleton, Jacob Parker and Alec Steedman. With direction by Richard Carroll and musical direction by Victoria Falconer, it will star Billie Palin. Season runs 13 November to 12 December.
Many regular Hayes events will return in 2026 including two new Neglected Musicals, A Man of No Importance in March and The Rink in September. There will be limited performances of each.
Also returning in 2026 are Musical Bang Bang, Home Grown, Theys At The Hayes, the Festival of New Work, the Winter Cabaret season and Carols by Cabaret.
Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer said:
“In 2026, we’re once again jumping into a season of work that embraces the power of music theatre to surprise, to provoke and to bring people together in joyful, meaningful ways. With a collection of stories big and small, old and new, hilarious and heartfelt; it’s all designed to be experienced up close and thrillingly live.
One of our favourite things about Hayes’ audiences is that they combine a love of music theatre’s rich traditions with a constant curiosity about where it could go next. That’s why we prioritise bringing fresh eyes to beloved shows, offering a spotlight to emerging talent, and making space for our most exciting artists to create bold, inventive work.”
Subscriptions are on sale from 8pm tonight, Monday 15 September. Single tickets are on sale at different times in the coming months.
Tickets: https://hayestheatre.com.au/2026-season/
Website: https://hayestheatre.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/hayestheatreco_official/
Images supplied.
