Type – Musical, Queer Romp, Jukebox
If you liked – & Juliet, The Go-Go’s
Head Over Heels: Joyful, unapologetically Queer and gloriously camp. This is why live performance is so thrilling
Sometimes a night at the theatre feels like being handed a party invitation written in rhinestones, dipped in glitter and served with a generous dose of uninhibited fun. Opening night of Head Over Heels at the Hayes Theatre Co was one of those nights. It was joyful, unapologetically Queer and gloriously camp. Landing in the heart of Mardi Gras season, this feels less like programming and more of a love letter to Sydney’s Queer life itself.
Built around the glitter-drenched catalogue of The Go-Go’s, Head Over Heels is already a show that leans into absurdity and chaos. Under the direction of Ellen Simpson and Ryan Gonzalez, this production doesn’t just lean, it cartwheels. From the opening number, the Hayes explodes into a technicolour playground where Elizabethan court intrigue collides with 80s pop rebellion. The result is a musical that feels chaotic in the best way possible, like a Shakespearean Pride parade squeezed into a 110 seat theatre.
The design team deserve immediate applause for fitting such a full show onto the stage so seamlessly. Josh McIntosh’s set and Brendan de la Hay’s costumes are a kaleidoscope of texture, funky invention and cheeky surprises. Gonzalez’s choreography balances high-energy pop spectacle with character-driven storytelling. There is an ease and confidence to the movement language that lets the performers shine without ever overwhelming the narrative.
What makes this production sing, however, is its wholehearted embrace of queerness. This is not a musical that tiptoes around identity. It celebrates fluidity, self-discovery and chosen family with sincerity and wit. In a city buzzing with Mardi Gras energy, the themes land with particular resonance. When characters step into their truth, the audience responds in kind. Laughter ripples. Cheers erupt. It feels communal, electric, necessary.
The ensemble operates like a perfectly tuned pop machine. Each performer is fully committed to the show’s silliness without ever losing emotional truth. The comedy lands hard and often, with razor sharp timing and delicious physicality driving some genuine laugh out loud moments. If pressed to single out standouts, Jenni Little as Philoclea and Adam Noviello as Musidorus emerge as the glittering twin pillars of the production. Little brings a radiant sincerity that grounds the madness, delivering powerful vocals with clarity and heart, while Noviello delivers a masterclass in transformation and comic precision. They embrace every absurd twist with fearless abandon and undeniable charisma.
That said, my favourite moment in the show would be the ‘Heaven is a place on earth’ sequence. Not only is the song iconic, but the shadow play that occurs was truly unforgettable. It is undeniable that every cast member leans in fully, and creates a cohesive, high energy ensemble where no link feels weak and every moment feels joyfully shared.
No opening night though would be without its glitches, and this was no exception. A special note must be made of the extraordinary feat delivered by Lucy Lalor, who stepped into the role of Pamela at just a day’s notice due to illness within the company. With both the principal and understudy unavailable, this could have been a moment of visible strain. Instead, the fresh WAAPA graduate delivered a moment of pure triumph. Armed with iPad in hand at times and sheer determination throughout, Lalor delivered a performance that was funny, heartfelt and fiercely committed. There was an audible sense of the audience willing her on, and she more than rose to the occasion. It is the kind of theatrical heroism that reminds you why live performance is so thrilling.
Musically, the band under Zara Stanton drives the show with punch and polish. Even while singing a line of ensemble harmony to support an unwell cast member The Go-Go’s hits did not miss a beat. Each pairing matched so well musically, with “Automatic Rainy Day” becoming like a Shakespearean “Take me or Leave me” right before our eyes!
Is Head Over Heels Worth Seeing in Sydney?
Head Over Heels at the Hayes is pure delight. It is silly without being shallow, political without preaching, and celebratory without losing heart. In the middle of Mardi Gras, it feels exactly right: a show about finding yourself, loving boldly and dancing through the chaos!
Tickets and Practical Info for Head Over Heels in Sydney 🎟️
Season 20 February – 22 March 2026 at The Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Tickets: Tickets | Head Over Heels
Songs by THE GO-GO’S, Adapted by James Magruder, Based Upon The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney, Conceived & Original Book by Jeff Whitty
Cast & Creatives
Starring Jenni Little, Shannen Alyce Quan, Gaz Dutlow, Nancy Denis, Adam Noviello, Ellen Ebbs, Minerva Khodabande, Alana Iannace, J Ridler and Thomas Campbell
Director Ellen Simpson
Music Director Zara Stanton
Choreographer & Assistant Director Ryan Gonzalez
Set Designer Josh McIntosh
Costume Designer Brendan de la Hay
