Romance, rebellion, and pure pop magic hit Sydney this week as the Australian musical phenomenon The Lovers opens at the Theatre Royal for a strictly limited two-week season from 31 October to 16 November 2025.
Audiences are in for a treat — the opening night coincides with Halloween, offering a playful twist to the Sydney premiere. Expect best-dressed prizes, exclusive merchandise, and a high-energy celebration of love, laughter and self-discovery.
A modern twist on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Written and composed by the acclaimed Laura Murphy (The Dismissal, The Wonderful Winsome Whine), and directed by Nick Skubij, The Lovers catapults Shakespeare’s classic comedy into the 21st century — complete with an electrifying pop soundtrack, powerhouse live band, and a dazzling new lens on love in all its messy, magical forms.
Romantic, rebellious and irresistibly fun, this tangled tale reimagines the Bard’s timeless themes for today’s audiences — exploring identity, desire, and the universal chaos of connection.
Standing ovations and rave reviews
After a triumphant run at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, The Lovers arrives in Sydney following nightly standing ovations and glowing reviews.
“Truly magical, a show that looks and feels like a big-budget Broadway import, yet pulses with fresh Australian energy… mark my words: this is Australia’s next big musical.” — The Courier-Mail
The all-star cast
Leading the charge is a powerhouse Australian cast:
- Natalie Abbott (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Zombie! The Musical) as Helena
- Jason Arrow (Hamilton, Guys and Dolls) as Demetrius
- Jayme-Lee Hanekom (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon) as Puck
- Loren Hunter (SIX The Musical, American Psycho) as Hermia
- Stellar Perry (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show) as Oberon
- Mat Verevis (Beautiful, Tina The Tina Turner Musical) as Lysander
With Indigo Hunt, Jenni Little, and Nic Van Lits rounding out a show-stopping ensemble.
Creative brilliance behind the scenes
Backed by an exceptional creative team:
- Director: Nick Skubij (Frankenstein)
- Choreographer: Yvette Lee (Follies)
- Music Director: Heidi Maguire (SIX The Musical)
- Designer: Isabel Hudson (Dear Evan Hansen)
- Lighting Designer: Trent Suidgeest (Frankenstein)
- Video & Sound Designer: Tony® Award nominee David Bergman (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
Together, they’ve crafted a lush, immersive world where pop beats meet poetic heart.
A story for today
With humour, heart, and a pulsating soundtrack, The Lovers invites audiences to rediscover the thrill of connection in a world of confusion. It’s a joyful, modern love story — where nothing goes as planned, but everything happens for a reason.
TICKETS
Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: 31 October – 16 November 2025
Bookings: theloversmusical.com.au
