The best theatre and musicals to see in Sydney this month

Visitors are meant to leave. Right? This collab from STC and Moogahlin Performing Arts is a first contact story with a difference, taking us back to a sweltering day in 1788 when a group of Elders from various clans gather on a scarp overlooking what will one day be known as Sydney Harbour. A number of huge ships have arrived, and a decision must be made: will these strangers be welcomed, or repulsed?

Oscar Wilde’s immortal comedy of manners is back in a brilliantly camp new production from Sydney Theatre Company. The wonderful Helen Thomson (Death of a Salesman, Baz Lurhmann’s Elvis) is back in her signature role of Lady Bracknell, the acid-tongued society doyenne whose scathing observations punctuate this story of double lives, mistaken identities, and propriety.

Fifteen years after collaborating on a scintillating cult production of The Rocky Horror Show, internationally acclaimed powerhouse director Gale Edwards is reuniting with legendary performers Paul Capsis and iOTA for an unhinged and searing reimagining of absurdist masterpiece The Chairs. This is your chance to witness two Australian trailblazers like you’ve never seen them before.

Nakkiah Lui’s sparkly, smart-arsed spoof of the so-bad-it’s-good 1995 cinematic masterpiece Showgirls is finally here. When fair-skinned dance enthusiast Sarah Jane Jones (Stephanie Somerville) gets a whiff of evidence about her Indigenous ancestry, she high-tails it to the glitziest casino in Brisvegas. Her mission? To land a role in the First Nations burlesque spectacular: ‘Blaque Showgirls’ – by any means necessary.

American playwright Aleshea Harris describes her breakout hit as drawing from “the ancient, the modern, the tragic, the Spaghetti Western, hip-hop and Afropunk”. One New York critic remarked: “Step aside, Quentin Tarantino and Martin McDonagh.” In a collab with Melbourne Theatre Company, STC brings us this darkly funny tale that leaves a slew of casualties in its wake.

We lay our scene in Sydney. It’s December 16, 2014 – the day after the infamous Lindt Café siege. As birds swirl overhead and flowers proliferate at their feet, five people search for answers. This powerful new play is the first production to be staged by bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company at their new home, KXT on Broadway (before it heads to Riverside). Penned by local playwright Katie Pollock (Rough Trade), Human Activity is the sequel to the smash hit Jatinga.

Theatre enthusiasts are in for a treat with Heather Fairbairn's fresh retelling of the Bard's timeless romantic comedy for Bell Shakespeare. The new theatre production will arrive at Sydney Opera House as part of Bell Shakespeare’s grand Australian tour, bringing with it a stellar ensemble and six new songs by ARIA-winning musician Sarah Blasko. 

National Theatre of Parramatta is revving up the fun this October for the stage premiere of Felicity Castagna’s multi-award-winning novel, Girls in Boys’ Cars. This sophisticated stage adaptation directed and adapted by Priscilla Jackman invites passengers on an accidental Thelma and Louise-esque road trip with a whirlwind of trouble ahead. 

Think Jay Gatsby hosted the best roaring '20s parties? Not anymore. It’s time to crack open some Champagne, because this scintillating smash-hit show is back for a third encore run! Blanc de Blanc Encore has been wowing audiences since it opened in January in the totally refurbished cabaret venue the Grand Electric. Clearly, Sydney can't get enough of this much-loved cabaret, circus and burlesque show.

Do you like magic? Do you like amazing views of the city? Do you like the idea of a tiny museum hidden inside a pylon of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge? Well put on your walking shoes, because this intimate show 200 steps above the Harbour is something you won’t want to miss out on.