Top 5 Sydney Theatre Shows To Start The Countdown For In 2026
Image: A glimpse of Sydney's upcoming theatre season. Source: Hayes Theatre Co. & Sydney Theatre Company.
As 2026 nears, Sydney stages are brimming with stories that demand attention. From dazzling musicals to hard-hitting dramas, this year promises inventive theatre, bold performances, and storytelling that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or just dipping your toes in, these five productions guarantee a night to remember.
Sydney Theatre Calendar 2026:
1. My Brilliant Career
Kicking off the 2026 theatre season, My Brilliant Career transforms Miles Franklin‘s classic into a high-energy rocking ride.
Adapted by Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant, the show fuses pop, folk, and foot-stomping pub rock to chart Sybylla Melvyn’s fight for independence in 1890s Australia. Kala Gare shines as the fiercely determined young woman who refuses to play by society’s rules.
Elevated by stunning sets and costumes, the show bubbles over with heart and irresistible fun.
Fresh yet timeless and character-driven, it’s perfect for anyone who loves big performances and heroines you can’t help but root for, while leaving you hard-pressed not to dance in your seat.
When: 21 March – 26 April 2026
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre
Tickets: TBA
2. Gutenberg!
Next up, Gutenberg! brings Broadway’s cleverest madcap musical, so far, to Sydney.
From the creators of Beetlejuice: The Musical, the show follows best friends Doug and Bud who attempt to stage a one-night-only backer’s audition of their mega-musical about the inventor of the printing press, playing every role themselves with dozens of baseball caps and a tireless piano player.
Directed by Richard Carroll and starring Stephen Anderson and Ryan Gonzalez, the show is a riotous ode to underdogs, friendship and the chaos of making theatre.
Chock full of ambition and ridiculousness, fans of The Producers or The Play That Goes Wrong and other offbeat, playful shows will revel in the relentless energy and sheer theatrical joy.
When: 10 April – 10 May 2026
Where: Hayes Theatre Co.
Tickets: $60 – $89
3. The Jungle And The Sea
Shifting to heart-wrenching drama, The Jungle And The Sea returns to Sydney stages in July.
From S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack, this epic yet intimate tale tells of a mother’s fight to keep her family alive amid the Sri Lankan civil war.
Drawn from real life stories and interwoven with Mahabharata and Antigone, the critically acclaimed play is a profoundly human exploration of love, displacement and survival.
A deeply moving work that’s bound to stir and linger, this one is for audiences seeking stories that challenge and grip from start to finish.
When: 11 July – 2 August 2026
Where: Belvoir St Theatre
Tickets: $43 -98
4. Bennelong In London
July brings Jane Harrison‘s award-winning storytelling to Sydney and history to life in Bennelong In London.
A hungry, young actor prepares to play the role of Bennelong when he conjures the figure himself before him. Together, they traverse Bennelong’s abduction, European travels, and role as a bridge between the Eora people and colonisers.
Directed by Ian Michael and starring Googoorewon Knox and Guy Simon, the production folds culture, imagination and friendship into a lively experience with inventive staging and sharp performances.
Ideal for audiences craving fresh perspectives and First Nation-led stories, this is a show that exhilarates and inspires, turning history personal, immediate and unforgettable.
When: 18 July – 18 August 2026
Where: Wharf 1 Theatre
Tickets: TBA
5. Silver Tongue
Silver Tongue sets sail to close out the 2026 Sydney theatre season with a mischievous musical reimagining of Treasure Island.
Climb aboard and follow along as Jim, a young drifter teams up with the notorious Silver Tongue, a swaggering, swoon-worthy pirate queen who’s equal parts mentor, menace and mystery. Together, they set off on a rollicking treasure hunt across uncharted waters, filled with double crosses, questions of identity and jaw-dropping musical numbers.
Created and developed by Hayes Theatre creatives Miranda Middleton, Jacob Parker, and Alec Steedman, this world premiere is all about punchy tracks and clever storytelling, led by Billie Palin and a cast of actor-musicians
Fans of hearty, charmingly chaotic theatre like Pirates of Penzance or Calamity Jane will find themselves thoroughly spoilt with this wet, wild and witty voyage.
When: 13 November – 12 December 2026
Where: Hayes Theatre Co.
Tickets: $60 – $95
From bold adaptations to unforgettable dramas, 2026’s theatre line-up is packed ready to delight Sydney with something for everyone, so book your tickets now!
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