The joyous, smash-hit musical, ‘My Brilliant Career’, will embark on a national tour in the first half of 2026.
News of the tour follows news of the production’s Melbourne Theatre Company encore season next year. The acclaimed reimagining of Miles Franklin’s beloved novel – created by Sheridan Harbridge, Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank, and directed by Anne-Louise Sarks – will tour the east coast with seasons in Canberra, Sydney and Wollongong, following its return to Southbank Theatre in Melbourne.
‘My Brilliant Career’ premiered in 2024 to sold-out houses and received extraordinary audience response and critical acclaim.
“Creating My Brilliant Career and going on tour is a defining moment for us. It is a bold new version of an Australian classic – taking its place in Australian theatre history,” Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director/Co-CEO Anne-Louise Sarks says.
“We’re so proud to be making theatre of this scale and ambition here in Melbourne, and after the incredible response from Melbourne audiences, we are excited to take it to people right across Australia.”
The announcement of this tour is just a glimpse at Melbourne Theatre Company’s full 2026 launch.
Image © Pia Johnson
“I have loved ‘My Brilliant Career’ since I saw an early development,” Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Mitchell Butel says, of the show heading to Sydney.
“The hard work, detail and casting magic that has gone into the production in the intervening years led to one of my favourite nights ever in a theatre when I saw the knockout Melbourne Theatre Company production. The way it rocks a literary classic – a story full of wit, charm, heartbreak and hope – into a punk period piece is pure perfection. I know Sydney audiences will fall in love with this new Australian musical as much as I have.”
Powerhouse performer Kala Gare will reprise her role as Sybylla Melvyn, alongside much of the original actor-musician ensemble.
My Brilliant Career Australia 2026 Tour Dates
23 January-28 February – Southbank Theatre (Melbourne)7-15 March – Canberra Theatre Centre
21 March-26 April – Roslyn Packer Theatre (Sydney)
8-17 May – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
