Type – Contemporary Musical Theatre, Adaptation, Pop & Rock
If you liked – Kiss Me Kate, Six, & Juliet, Clueless
The Lovers: A must-see for those who love musicals, or Shakespeare, or both! This work is an absolute treat for the senses.
Created by Australia’s own Laura Murphy, The Lovers has taken Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and pared it right back to the core tale of two pairs of lovers at the mercy of the King of the Fairies, Oberon (Stellar Perry) and faithful offsider Puck (Jayme-Lee Hanekom), as they flee to the forest in search of true love.
Murphy’s replaced the long speeches with fabulous pop tunes while retaining the snappy quickfire dialogue of Shakespeare’s prose. It’s no mean feat to have combined the two idioms, but Murphy has achieved this perfectly. Through retaining the themes of the original, Murphy demonstrates, yet again, how well Shakespeare could tap into human nature in all its glory and folly. With songs that are witty and memorable, Murphy has tapped into all the most popular styles from Back Street Boys to Beyonce, Missy Elliot and Taylor Swift. With her own inimitable lyrical talent underpinning it all, this is as hilarious as it is joyful to watch.
The production Elements: A spa for the senses
Murphy is a Medusa of talent: having written the book, music, lyrics, arrangements and orchestrations, she has assembled a tight, talented crew who bring the show to exuberant life. Nick Skubij’s direction combined with Yvette Lee’s choreography keep the stage popping with dynamic action which delivers both slapstick and skilled dance moves seamlessly. Lee treats us to a virtual history of contemporary dance moves, beautifully executed by the talented cast.
Heidi Maguire’s band are wonderfully live – keeping the energy high and the sound cohesive, although sometimes just a bit louder than the vocals. Isabel Hudson’s design frames the vibrant colourful action with Athenian ruins as a kind of memento mori to remind us that time is short and we must seize the day. Trent Suidgeest’s lighting facilitates a stadium concert feel one minute, and a cosmological feel the next. David Bergman’s sound and video frame the human action with mellifluous and stunning digital effects. With deep pinks, purples and indigos switching to black, white and red, and back again, we are enveloped and immersed – a sensory spa. The video segments are well placed to highlight moments on stage, not overtake them and the curly, smoky aurora borealis effects are gorgeous.
Stellar Vocals and Stellar Performances
Stellar Perry as Oberon – in glittering pink cowboy chaps and short-shorts – is an outstanding talent. Her stage presence is powerful and her vocalisation is near perfect. The chemistry between her and Jayme-Lee Hanekom is tangible. Hanekom’s Puck captures both the humour and mercurial nature of the character, and is a cute foil to Perry’s statuesque silhouette.
Meanwhile, the four lovers’ characters are beautifully and energetically brought to life and laugher by Natalie Abbott (Helena), Jason Arrow (Demetrius), Loren Hunter (Hermia) and Mat Verevis (Lysander). The cast execute the role reversals and mistaken love identities to maximum effect, and the highly skilled and naturally ebullient performers bring out the full physical comedy while belting out their numbers.Verevis is hilarious as the reversed love-lorn swain and Arrow’s dance stylings are better than MJ and BackStreet Boys combined. Hunter and Abbott are a delight to watch throughout, and their inevitable slapstick fight has everyone in gales of laughter.
Is The Lovers Worth Seeing in Sydney?
The Lovers marketing promises “Love and Pop and Shakespeare” and boy do they deliver! Going far beyond those promises, The Lovers makes for a big, fat, juicy night of music, laughs, raunch and rhyming couplets. With a stunning all-senses-engaged musical with a live band and immersive set design, you’ll be transported away from our mortal woes for a couple of hours of pure enjoyment.
Parents note: the show notes say for a 14+ audience, but there’s some pretty salty material in the performance.
Want to hear more Theatre Thoughts about The Lovers? Read our original Brisbane review here. You can also listen to the original cast recording below.
https://lauramurphy.com.au/the-lovers-original-cast-recording
Tickets and Practical Info for The Lovers in Sydney 🎟️
Playing at Theatre Royal Sydney until 16 November 2026
2hrs 10mins with interval.
Wheelchair and accessible seating is located in Circle Row N at Theatre Royal Sydney.
Tickets: https://theloversmusical.com.au/tickets/sydney/
CAST
Natalie Abbott as Helena
Jason Arrow as Demetrius
Jayme-Lee Hanekom as Puck
Loren Hunter as Hermia
Stellar Perry as Oberon
Mat Verevis as Lysander
Indigo Hunt – Associate Choreographer & Cover
Jenni Little – Cover
Nic Van Lits – Cover
CREATIVES
Laura Murphy – Book, Music, Lyrics, Arrangements & Orchestrations
Nick Skubij – Director
Heidi Maguire – Music Director
Isabel Hudson – Designer
Trent Suidgeest – Lighting Designer
David Bergman – Sound & Video Designer
Yvette Lee – Choreographer
Nigel Poulton – Fight & Intimacy Director
