It seems that across time, the pursuit of creative expression has often been, in itself, an act of rebellion and self-sacrifice. Writers and artists rarely live lives of stability or wealth, and yet, in humanity’s most uncertain and desperate moments, it is to poetry, theatre and art that we turn to make sense of the world. The relentless act of writing, of shaping and sharing one’s perspective on life, still carries a quiet defiance, even in a technological age where everyone has a keyboard and an opinion.
It is perhaps for this reason that My Brilliant Career continues to resonate today. Since its publication in 1901, the novel has been adapted across multiple forms, including film and stage, with a television adaptation currently in development by Netflix. Now, it’s on at Sydney Theatre Company’s Roslyn Packer Theatre.
What is the premise of My Brilliant Career?
This award-winning iteration of My Brilliant Career, which debuted at Melbourne Theatre Company in 2024, is a musical theatre adaptation with a book by Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant, music by Mathew Frank, and lyrics by Bryant.
It follows Sybylla Melvyn (Kala Gare, SIX the musical), a fiercely independent young woman growing up in rural Australia in the 1800s. Chafing against the limitations placed on her as a woman – particularly the expectation that she should marry for security – Sybylla dreams instead of becoming a writer and forging a life of her own making.
As she navigates family hardship, social...
Fresh autumnal mornings. Warm ocean temperatures. And three public holidays. There’s a lot to like about April.
Feel like getting out of the city? Consider a trip to the eucalyptus-cloaked Blue Mountains – and be sure to visit Scenic World at the Three Sisters in Katoomba. It’s home to fun mountain adventures ranging from an exhilarating railway ride to a butterfly-inducing aerial cable car that lets you appreciate the beauty – and scale! – of the heritage-listed national park.
The beloved Sydney Royal Easter Show is back at Sydney Showground from April 2-13, and the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show is lighting up the Entertainment Quarter from April 2-19. Bring on endless snacks, rides and baby animals. We've also rounded up the best hot cross buns and Easter treats.
It’s no secret that the news is a little dire at the moment – so the annual Sydney Comedy Festival, which kicks off on April 13, couldn’t come at a better time. The schedule is bloody packed with laughs – there are more than 400 shows! – so you can go to town.
ANZAC Day is also on this morning. We’ll be updating our guide to where to play two-up in Sydney soon. Hopefully you have better luck than me.
Culture-wise, you need to check out My Brilliant Career, on now at STC’s Roslyn Packer Theatre. It is bloody brilliant. And if you’re after a spectacle, The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour is delighting audiences (though tickets are expensive).
Plus, make a booking at one of Sydney’s best restaurants, check out the hottest new bars and restaurants, and eat well for less with our guide to Sydney’s best affordable eats.
If you need to keep the little ones entertained these school holidays, we’ve rounded up fun things to do here.
Craving a nature hit before winter sets in? These are the best camping sites close to Sydney, and these are the best day hikes near the city.
Need a reset? We hear you. You'll find our guide to the city's best spas and bathhouses over here. Hot tip: Nature's Energy is offering free rosemary-infused Oil Garden head massages with every weekday bathhouse booking from now until April 27.
Scroll on for the best things to do in Sydney this April. Hope you have a hoppy Easter and a cracking month.
