World-class musicals in small-city Adelaide

Theatre has stood the test of time. It’s a great evening out and fun for any occasion! So what shows can you see in Adelaide this season?

It’s a complaint heard around most of Australia why didn’t they come here? With Melbourne and Sydney holding major calling cards for word-class musical theatre, musicians and competitions, the smaller Australian cities can find themselves struggling to attract big acts to their theatres. For years now Adelaide has been proving itself to be a city of theatre lovers, attracting and selling out shows of Matilda the Musical, Mamma Mia!, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and The Book of Mormon.

And the hits just keep coming for Adelaide, with four big musicals hitting the Festival Theatre stage by September 2020. So spice up your trip to Adelaide and book an evening in to enjoy dinner and a show.

• West Side Story

  It’s the modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet that has been heralded as the world’s best musical. This classical tale of forbidden love follows the story of two rivalling youth gangs stuck in a race war and the relationship that was to blossom within the conflict. Enjoy lead, Sophie Salvesani, in her professional theatre debut tour as Maria. Plus, see Todd Jacobsson in a role starkly more serious than that which he played in the Australian run of Book of Mormon. After runs in Sydney and Melbourne, the Jets and the Sharks are leaping into Adelaide for a strictly limited season. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

• Billy Elliot the Musical

  It’s the story of a boy who unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever. The 2019 10^th anniversary run of Billy Elliot the Musical will see the shows first ever appearance in Adelaide. With 85 international awards and 12 million audience members under its belt Elton John’s adaptation of the 2001 film is a must see. Set in 1985 Northern England during miners strikes, Billy Elliot is an uplifting story of a boy who found his dream and wasn’t afraid to chase it.

• School of Rock the Musical

  You rocked out in your living room, now it’s time to rock out live! Get down to see the all new adaptation School of Rock the Musical. Follow as failed musician Dewey Finn works to turn a class of prep-school students into pint-sized rock stars. This hilarious new show is great fun for the whole family. Just wait until you see these kids shred it on a guitar! School of Rock the Musical is the perfect introduction to musicals and theatre for the whole family.

• Menopause The Musical

  Leave the kids at home and get ready for a side-splitting night of fun. A musical for every woman preparing for, going through, or who has survived, The Change. Parodying classical Baby Boomer music the musical follows four strangers’ trips to the lingerie section of Bloomingdales. The show will leave you dancing in the aisles and gasping for air between fits of laughter.

Adelaide has proven itself to be worthy of world-class musical productions. Compliment your fantastic show with a delicious meal from one of the many top quality restaurants in Adelaide. Sounds like the perfect night out.

Related article: Culture and Creativity at the Adelaide Film Festival

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.