Ahead of its highly anticipated Sydney premiere at Sydney Theatre Company’s Roslyn Packer Theatre next month, the season for Melbourne Theatre Company’s acclaimed musical adaptation of Miles Franklin’s My Brilliant Career has been extended, with performances now on sale from 21 March through to 3 May 2026. Heralded as “the holy grail of Australian musical theatre” (The Age), the highly acclaimed reimagining directed by Anne-Louise Sarks was showered with five-star reviews and became Melbourne’s most in-demand ticket, winning five Victorian Green Room awards when it premiered in 2024.
The “outrageously talented” (Australian Stage) Kala Gare plays Sybylla Melvyn, a fiercely intelligent and individual young woman in 1890s Australia who rallies against the idea that her ambition should start and end at finding a wealthy husband. Forced to choose between romance and her career, a family and a future that she defines, she decides she’s having it all.
With a joyfully fresh adaptation by Sheridan Harbridge, Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank, expert direction by Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks, and stunning set and costume design by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Marg Horwell (STC’s The Picture of Dorian Gray), My Brilliant Career transforms an iconic literary figure into an effervescent rockstar heroine for the modern age.
Discussing the play’s Sydney debut, director and Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director and CEO Anne-Louise Sarks said:
“Taking My Brilliant Career on tour is a defining moment for us. After an extraordinary response from Melbourne audiences during the show’s sold-out 2024 premiere and again during the Melbourne encore season, we’re excited to share this story with audiences across Sydney, Wollongong, and Canberra. This is a bold, contemporary reimagining of an Australian classic, and Melbourne Theatre company is deeply proud to be making theatre of this scale and ambition. See you at the theatre for our Sydney debut.”
Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director and Co-CEO Mitchell Butel said he has long been ‘in love’ with the production since he first saw an early development,
‘‘From its first workshop to its now triumphant and acclaimed season, this incredible musical adaptation of an iconic Australian novel has gathered of some of our finest writing, directing and performing talents. My Brilliant Career is a show that stirs the heart, rocks the theatre and makes your soul sing. I’m thrilled that Sydney Theatre Company gets to bring one of the finest Australian musicals ever made to our audiences.”
My Brilliant Career will play at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from 21 March. Tickets are on sale now at sydneytheatre.com.au
MY BRILLIANT CAREER
A new musical based on the novel by Miles Franklin
Book by Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant
Music by Mathew Frank and Lyrics by Dean Bryant
Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks
With
Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Melanie Bird, Lincoln Elliott, Victoria Falconer, Kala Gare, Raj Labade, Drew Livingston, Ana Mitsikas, Christina O’Neill, Jarrad Payne, Jack Green and Meg McKibbin
Director Anne-Louise Sarks
Musical Director Victoria Falconer
Choreographer Amy Campbell
Set & Costume Designer Marg Horwell
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Orchestrator/Vocal Arranger James Simpson
Sound Designer Joy Weng
Associate Director Miranda Middleton
Associate Set & Costume Designer Savanna Wegman
Assistant Musical Director Drew Livingston
Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, New South Wales 2000
Previews 21 March–24 March
Season from 26 March–3 May 2026
Box Office (02) 9250 1777 / sydneytheatre.com.au
