The Australian Musical Theatre Festival is back in Launceston in May, 2025.
For the first time in the festival’s five-year history, the award-winning Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will be the centrefold, in a star-studded line-up of musical theatre royalty including Caroline O’Connor, Alinta Chidzey and Mark Vincent.
“The addition of the TSO takes the festival to new levels and is a pinnacle event in a programme that encompasses five days, many venues, a range of engagements with many of our greatest stars and emerging talent, all set alongside an international city of gastronomy that serves the best food and wine I know,” Artistic Director Tyran Parke says.
Tyran will host an In Conversation with Caroline O’Connor and Alinta Chidzey, an insight into the tricks of the trade, and the journeys of some of the biggest names in Australian musical theatre.
Opening the festival is ‘Working’, based on the best-selling book of interviews with workers, painting a vivid portrait of the workers which the world can take for granted. For the first time, Tasmanians take centre stage.
In ‘From West End To Broadway’, tenor Mark Vincent will perform an intimate version of his show featuring songs from some of the greatest musicals.
The Australian Musical Theatre Festival has discovered talents who have gone on to national and international success. . . And now, ‘When I Get My Name In Lights’ is a night dedicated to connecting performers from around the country. It’s the chance for emerging artists to share the Princess Theatre stage with the nation’s best.
In ‘Chasing Oscar’, come and hear the songs you didn’t know the musicals needed from well-known titles like ‘The Sound Of Music’, ‘Matilda’, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Evita’, ‘Cats’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Beauty And The Beast’ and more.
‘Come To The Cabaret’ is an opportunity to dust off the sheet music and celebrate the best of the cabaret cannon.
Then, in ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ with Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, it’s a collection of the greatest hits from Broadway and the West End.
A new addition for 2025, ‘Mystery Musical’ is a one-off, staged reading (and singing) of a top secret musical theatre classic. You won’t know which show it is, until the lights go down. . .
“We aim to secure a wide offering of events, ensuring seasonal and regional balance, as well as a comprehensive range of event types,” Minister for Sports And Events Nick Duigan says. “We know events are crucial to boosting the economy in the winter months and we always make this a priority, which is why the Government is a strong supporter of this event.”
“Launceston’s Australian Musical Theatre Festival celebrates everything that’s great about musical theatre and attracts visitors to join with locals to embrace this much-loved segment of our performing arts sector.
“It showcases Launceston as a cultural hub, building on the significant talent base that exists in the region to deliver a superb program featuring some of the city’s most beautiful venues.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Australian Musical Theatre Festival (Launceston) is on from 21-25 May, 2025.
