Australian arts collective Pony Cam will return home this summer with their acclaimed hit Burnout Paradise, a riotous live exploration of hustle culture.
Direct from an enthusiastically received New York season, where they picked up the 2026 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, the inventive company will make their Sydney Opera House debut in the Studio from 3-28 February.
A simple wager between the cast and the audience becomes a desperate, euphoric attempt to stave off burnout while attempting to complete a series of unwieldy tasks. The performers – Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams – are confronted by the limitations of their bodies, spirits and minds while keeping pace on treadmills at the same time.
No two shows are the same in this hilariously relatable representation of how the system is unravelling around us all. This highly physical experience leans heavily into elements of a live game show where audience volunteers can opt in to help (or hinder) the cast, making for a truly unforgettable night in the theatre.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Harry Prouse says: “Burnout Paradise has an irreverent quality that makes it the perfect addition to a summer of fun at the Opera House. We’re excited to welcome this Australian company home for their first season after a whirlwind of international success as part of our commitment to platforming the best of homegrown talent. Raucous and unpredictable, this is definitely the most entertained you’ll be watching someone complete their to-do list.”
Creators and Performers Pony Cam say: “We create experiences that are unrepeatable, even when we perform them night after night. After two years touring Burnout Paradise around the world, we’ve refined it into a show where each audience feels essential to what happens; where people can be themselves and where, every night, they help us shape what happens. Burnout Paradisechallenges the idea of what theatre can be. It’s joyful. It’s ecstatic. And it’s communal. Each night we all win, or we all lose together.”
Award-winning experimental theatre makers Pony Cam delight in the unexpected, forming in 2020 with a commitment to silliness and a desire to laugh in the face of modern tragedies. The quintet debuted this riotous show with a sold-out season at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival and have toured it across North America and Europe, including acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and off-Broadway at New York’s Astor Palace.
KEY INFORMATION
WHAT: Burnout Paradise
WHEN: 3 – 28 February 2027
WHERE: Studio, Sydney Opera House
TICKETS: From $55 + booking fee
PRE SALES BEGIN: 9am, Tuesday 3 November 2026
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE: 9am, Friday 6 November 2026
