Type – Independent Theatre, Music Theatre
If you like – The Last Five Years, Songs For A New World
35mm: A Musical Exhibition: An exciting offer from Two Dogs Theatre Company
35mm: A Musical Exhibition is one of those shows that has had some of its breakout songs float in and out of musical playlists for more than a decade. It’s also one of those shows some theatre folk may be able to tell you is vaguely based on “some photos or something”, but that’s about it. It remained mostly elusive and unproduced in Australia, that is until new producing house Two Dogs Theatre Company took the bold step of making it their breakout show, and it appears to have paid off.
With music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver, the show is a complete (and literal) collage piece of theatre with no linear story or through-line characters. Each number is inspired by a photograph by Matthew Murphy. While the photographs themselves were perhaps cutting edge when the show was released, they now feel ‘tumblryfied’ and more than just a little ‘it’s 2011 and I just got my first camera, let’s go take photos at the park’. The music is far more timeless, stretching genres and musical styles. It’s one of the best examples in theatre of there being something for everyone.
Directors Sabine Anais and Billee Paige Harris (also choreographer) have leaned heavily into the eclectic nature of the material and blended physical theatre, lyrical dance, shadow play, and more into a deeply satisfying visual feast. While I would have preferred a more direct depiction of the reference images, the stand-alone stories still shone. Musical direction by Benjamin Olivera, along with conductor Mitchell Brown, is to be commended. The harmonies and band were rich, punchy, and tight.
With a litany of credits to each of their names already, the ensemble cast of Kit Whiter, Caleb Hamwood, Molly Owen, rounded out by co-director Anais, and musical director Olivera, work in complete unison and have boundless energy for the show’s 80-minute duration. I’m sure in years to come we will see each make the jump from independent to mainstage theatre. It’s rare you find an independent musical company with such discipline and a collective ‘we’re in this together’ aura. No one upstages.
No costume designer is credited, but the costumes were exceptional and era-defying and never felt out of place as we jump from story to story. Likewise, EJ Zielinski’s lighting design is measured and laser-focused and makes good use of the venue’s limited capacity. However, if this production has a fault, it’s the near-deafening sound design by Two Toned Productions. The Tom Mann Theatre is an infamously hard venue to mix, but most of the show was blasted at such a volume that lyrics in the more pop-rock numbers became unintelligible.
Is 35mm: A Musical Exhibition worth seeing in Sydney?
At the time of publishing, the season has concluded, but given the enthusiasm of the audience and the talent of emerging creatives behind this work, I don’t think it will be long before we see another exciting offering from Two Dogs Theatre Company, and when that time comes, absolutely get a ticket!
Tickets and Practical Info for 35mm: A Musical Exhibition in Sydney 🎟️
Season Concluded: 35mm: A Musical Exhibition ran from Saturday 31 October 2026 – Sunday 1 November 2026
