Australia, Meet Sybylla Melvyn: My Brilliant Career is going on tour!
Following the news of its 2026 Melbourne encore season, Melbourne Theatre Company today announces that the joyous, smash-hit musical My Brilliant Career will embark on a national tour.
This acclaimed reimagining of Miles Franklin’s beloved novel — created by Sheridan Harbridge, Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank, and directed by Anne-Louise Sarks — will tour Eastern Australia, with seasons in Canberra, Sydney and Wollongong, following its return to Southbank Theatre in Melbourne.
Premiering in 2024 to sold-out houses, My Brilliant Career received extraordinary audience response and critical acclaim, including multiple five-star reviews and five Green Room Awards – among them Outstanding Production – competing alongside some of the year’s biggest commercial musicals. News of the Melbourne encore season has already sparked anticipation after its August announcement; with both returning audiences and first-timers being given the chance to experience this unmissable production.
Tour Dates & Locations
• Melbourne – 23 January – 28 February 2026 | Southbank Theatre, The Sumner
• Canberra – 7 March to 15 March | Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
• Sydney – 21 March to 26 April | Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
• Wollongong – 8 May to 17 May | IMB Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Merrigong Theatre CompanySTRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 19:30AEST MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
“Creating My Brilliant Career and going on tour is a defining moment for us. It is a bold new version of an Australian classic – taking its place in Australian theatre history. We’re so proud to be making theatre of this scale and ambition here in Melbourne, and after the incredible response from Melbourne audiences, we are excited to take it to people right across Australia,” says Anne-Louise Sarks, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Melbourne Theatre Company.
This announcement is just the beginning – a glimpse ahead of Melbourne Theatre Company’s full Season 2026 launch on Tuesday 21 October.
On the tour making its way to Sydney, Mitchell Butel, Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director says, ’I have loved My Brilliant Career since I saw an early development. The hard work, detail and casting magic that has gone into the production in the intervening years led to one of my favourite nights ever in a theatre when I saw the knockout Melbourne Theatre Company production. The way it rocks a literary classic – a story full of wit, charm, heartbreak and hope – into a punk period piece is pure perfection. I know Sydney audiences will fall in love with this new Australian musical as much as I have”.
The 2026 tour will feature powerhouse performer Kala Gare reprising her role as Sybylla Melvyn, alongside much of the original actor-musician ensemble.
The tour also promises the same exhilarating production values as the award-winning premiere season, stunning design by Tony Award-winner Marg Horwell and a powerhouse score blending contemporary pop, bush ballad, and raucous pub rock.
Cast includes Kala Gare (Sybylla Melvyn), Raj Labade (Harry / Peter / Ensemble), Ana Mitsikas (Grannie / Rose Jane / Ensemble), Christina O’Neill (Mother / Helen / Mrs M’Swat / Ensemble), Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward (Frank / Ensemble), Victoria Falconer (Ensemble) and Jarrad Payne (Ensemble).
Creative team includes Sheridan Harbridge (Book), Dean Bryant (Book & Lyrics), Mathew Frank (Music), Anne- Louise Sarks (Director), Victoria Falconer (Musical Director / Additional Music Arrangements), Amy Campbell (Choreographer), Marg Horwell (Set & Costume Designer), Matt Scott (Lighting Designer), James Simpson (Orchestrator / Vocal Arranger), Joy Weng (Sound Designer), Miranda Middleton (Assistant Director) and Savanna Wegman (Assistant Set & Costume Designer).
For more information, ticketing, and updates on the tour, visit mtc.com.au/my-brilliant-career-tour and follow
@mybrilliantcareer.
My Brilliant Career
A new musical by Dean Bryant, Mathew Frank and Sheridan Harbridge, Based on the novel by Miles Franklin
Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks
Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins including interval
https://www.mtc.com.au/my-brilliant-career-tour
Melbourne
23 January – 28 February 2026 | Southbank Theatre, The Sumner
Tickets on sale now.
https://www.mtc.com.au/my-brilliant-career
Canberra
7 March to 15 March | Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
Tickets on sale from 9 October 2025. Sign up to the waitlist now.
https://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/my-brilliant-career
Sydney
21 March to 26 April | Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
Priority renewal for current Sydney Theatre Company Season Ticket holders starts from Wednesday 17 September;
Season Tickets for new subscribers start from Wednesday 1 October. Single tickets go on sale from Thursday 13 November
https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Wollongong
8 May to 17 May | IMB Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Merrigong Theatre Company
Tickets on sale now https://www.merrigong.com.au/shows/my-brilliant-career
