From lavish, cutting-edge productions to intimate one-person shows, Sydney has a great range of stage performances to see in October as we trudge towards the final few months of the year.
We’ve rounded up some of the best shows we think you should be seeing in Sydney, as well as highlighting some of the more indie-performances that are both affordable and beautifully conceived. All you’ve got to do is show up and let some of Australia’s best stage actors work their magic to bring these stories to life, from the familiar tale of Hamilton through to an adaptation of Jane Eyre.
10 Stage shows you need to see in Sydney right now
1. Frankenstein, Sydney CBD
Fuelled by heavily detailed makeup effects, shadowy stage set-ups and Mary Shelley’s timeless tale of science gone wrong, Frankenstein is shaping up as one of the city’s hottest tickets to buy this month. Running until October 13 at Theatre Royal, the visually-driven production has director Nick Skubji channelling the complex 1818 novel with help from lead performers Darcy Brown and Jeremiah Wray. Rounding out the cast is Chloe Zuel, Anna Lise Phillips, Tony Cogin and Nick James 140 square metres of LED video panels, automation and pyrotechnics make this one of the more ambitious shows to see in October.
Director: Nick Skubji
Cast: Darcy Brown, Jeremiah Wray, Chloe Zuel, Anna Lise Phillips, Tony Cogin, Nick James
Where: Theatre Royal; 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: September 28 – October 13
Price: $69.90 – $169.90
2. Dear Evan Hansen, Walsh Bay
With six Tony Awards and an abundance of critical acclaim behind it, Dear Evan Hansen will be one of spring’s most popular musicals when it opens at Roslyn Packer Theatre in mid-October. Sydney Theatre Company and Michael Cassel Group present the story of a socially anxious high school boy forced into the spotlight when he inadvertently plays an important role in a local tragedy. The coming-of-age tale promises to bring something raw and inspiring to the historic theatre, perfect for fans of deeply complex, profound stories told through the lens of an explosive Broadway musical.
Director: Dean Bryant
Cast: Beau Woodbridge, Martin Crewes, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Georgia Laga’aia, Natalie O’Donnell
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre; 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
When: October 12 – November 24
Price: $125 – $155
3. La Clique, Circular Quay
Not in the mood for theatre or musicals? Dip into some alternative cabaret instead. Buried in Sydney Opera House’s fabulous underground Studio, La Clique returns to Sydney for its 20th anniversary with an explosive blend of circus, cabaret, burlesque, dance and some good ol’ fashioned magic. First-class entertainers from across the world have shimmied their way down to Sydney for this variety show, pairing veterans with newcomers for a wildly entertaining night of fire-breathing, sword swallowing and acrobatics.
Director: David Bates
Cast: David Pereira Spain, Heather Holliday, LJ Marles, Mario Queen, Tara Boom, Tuedon Ariri
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House; Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
When: October 10 – November 17
Price: $69.90 – $139.90
4. Flat Earthers: The Musical, Potts Point
What’s your worst date story? Surely it can’t be worse than this one. In Flat Earthers: The Musical, Ria learns that her Tinder match, Flick, is “one of those.” But Flick also needs to come to terms with knowing Ria is a “Globe Earther.” This drama unfolds to a chaotic score of pop-electro as these two (potential) star-crossed lovers try and untangle conflicting theories and ways of viewing life. It’s a tale as old as time, told in an incredibly modern and campy way. The official synopsis describes the small-scale production as “West Side Story meets QAnon,” which places it as one of the more unique shows to see in Sydney this October.
Director: Declan Greene
Cast: Michelle Brasier, Lena Cruz, Manali Datar, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Milo Hartill, Amanda McGregor
Where: Hayes Theatre; 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011
When: October 11 – November 9
Price: $69
5. Sister Act, Haymarket
After acclaimed runs around the world, Sister Act has landed in the Capitol Theatre as one of Sydney’s most heavily anticipated nostalgia-driven musicals of the year. The celebrated stage show already has a whopping 8 Tony Awards sitting behind it, with 8-time Oscar Award-winner Alan Menken, building up a reputation for sheer entertainment set to shades of Motown, soul and disco. The story follows sister Deloris Van Cartier, loosely based on the same story that propelled helped the original two films soar into cult status.
Director: Alan Menken
Cast: Casey Donovan, Genevieve Lemon, Rhonda Burchmore
Where: Capitol Theatre; 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000
When: September 27 – October 26
Price: $69.90
6. Golden Blood, Dawes Point
Golden Blood has returned two years later. After an acclaimed run at Griffin Theatre in 2022, Tessa Leong’s sharp-witted story of place and culture hits Sydney Theatre Company with a 90-minute coming-of-age story following two orphans as they move through Singapore’s criminal underworld. Noted for its sly sense of humour, it’s a no-brainer for anyone looking for affordable show tickets to an indie production packed with symbolism, meaning and humour.
Director: Tessa Leong
Cast: Merlynn Tong, Charles Wu
Where: Wharf 1 Theatre; 15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000
When: September 27 – October 13
Price: $65 – $125
7. Jane Eyre, CBD
Passionate and intelligent with a strong moral compass, Jane Eyre must begin advocating for herself while dealing with childhood trauma as she rises through the ranks of Victorian Society. Charlotte Brontë’s provocative 1847 novel is the perfect source material for one of the deeper and more provocative stages shows in Sydney right now. The familiar tale has been lifted for Sydney stages by Ali Bendall and a solid cast led by Kyra Belford-Thomas, Vincent Andriano and Jenny Jacobs.
Director: Ali Bendall
Cast: Krya Belford-Thomas, Vincent Andriano, Jenny Jacobs
Where: Genesian Theatre; 420 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: October 4 – November 10
Price: $35
8. Hamilton, Pyrmont
One of the most awarded stage shows in history has returned to Sydney for a well-deserved victory lap. After a massive tour of Australia’s best stages, Thomas Kail’s local production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton sticks true to the boundary-breaking New York original, set to a ferocious score of hip-hop, jazz and R&B coupled with traditional show tunes. You follow Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights to change the course of history for America. It certainly changed the course of history for Broadway, giving us an essential stage show that even casual fans of musicals have been vying for.
Director: Thomas Kail
Cast: Jason Arrow, Akina Edmonds, Elandrah Eramiha, Brent Hill, Etuate Lutui
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre; 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
When: September 27, 2024 – January 5, 2025
9. Titanique, Surry Hills
Titanique has made a massive splash in Sydney. The irreverent musical centres around Celine Dion, doubling as both a spoof and a loving homage to the legendary French-Canadian chanteuse. As per our official review, the production is “unsinkable” as director Tye Blue cleverly tells the story of Dion as she interrupts a Titanic museum tour with claims she was board the infamous ship when tragedy struck.
Director: Tye Blue
Cast: Marney McQueen, Drew Weston, Georgina Hopson, Matt Lee
Where: The Grand Electric; 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills NSW 2016
When: September 27 – November 3
Price: From $75
10. Julia, Circular Quay
Following last year’s sell-out season, the Sydney Opera House has brought Julia back for another limited run so more theatregoers can witness Sarah Goodes’ runaway hit about the state of Australian politics and one brave woman who became the country’s first female prime minister. Justine Clarke once again steps into the shoes of Julia Gillard, not only delivering that iconic speech with gusto, but fully embodying the rise of Gillard in a notoriously male-dominated industry.
Director: Sarah Goodes
Cast: Jessica Bentley, Justine Clarke
Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House; Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
When: September 5 – October 19
Price: $55 – $70
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