The Comedy Theatre

It was always Jonathan Larson's destiny to create his Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Rent, but as a struggling artist in New York, trying to make his dreams come true, it might not have always seemed that way. And that's essentially what Tick, Tick... Boom! is all about; a semi-autobiographical musical mirroring Larson's journey hurtling towards his impending Broadway success. Punters would probably know it best from a recent film adaption by the same name, directed by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and starring Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens – and eventually winning Garfield a Golden Globe for his turn as Larson in the film. But before that, it was Larson's hidden treasure – a musical left behind after he tragically passed away prior to the first performance of his enduring Broadway smash hit, Rent. Tick, Tick... Boom! is the story of a promising young artist struggling to realise his dreams in the Big Apple back in the early '90s. As time marches on (the tick, tick of the title ever-present), he must decide between fear and love – and fight for what he truly wants. Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters, Five Bedrooms), one of Australia's leading stage and screen stars, has just been cast in the lead role, and he will be joined by Elenoa Rokobaro (Rent at the Sydney Opera House) as Susan, Finn Alexander (Urinetown) as Michael, plus Sheridan Adams (Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical) and Andrew Coshan (A View From A Bridge, Hamlet).   Tick, Tick...

The OG ‘Whodunnit?’ story is heading for the Melbourne stage. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the world’s longest running play, the genre-defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is coming to the Comedy Theatre in February 2023.  After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor, a Victorian era estate that has recently been converted into a guest house, find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. This record-breaking murder mystery features a brilliant surprise finish, and audiences are still sworn to secrecy on leaving the theatre. International theatre star Anna O’Byrne (My Fair Lady, Love Never Dies) will play Mollie Ralston, the young owner of Monkswell Manor. Helpmann Award winner Alex Rathgeber (Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera) will play Giles Ralston, Mollie’s husband of one year. Laurence Boxhall (As You Like It, Jumpy) will be Christopher Wren, a flighty and neurotic young guest. As the seriously unpleasant retired magistrate Mrs Boyle, Geraldine Turner (Present Laughter, Don's Party) returns to the stage, alongside Adam Murphy (Shakespeare in Love, Aladdin) as retired British military officer Major Metcalf. In her professional stage debut, Charlotte Friels will play Miss Casewell, who rem