The 2026 Sydney Theatre Company season will be the first under the Artistic Direction of Mitchell Butel – and Australian artists are in the spotlight, along with a few good tunes.
Across thirteen productions, the 2026 offering includes three world premieres of brand-new Australian writing: ‘Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical’, ‘Bennelong In London’, and ‘Strong Is The New Pretty’.
Plus, the season includes the Australian premiere of the most awarded play of 2025 – Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning ‘Purpose’. . . the Sydney premiere of new Australian musical ‘My Brilliant Career’. . . As well as recent Australian gems and contemporary international plays.
More than 80 performers will take to the stage throughout the year, including David Wenham, Miranda Otto, Sam Worthington, Googoorewon Knox, Keiynan Lonsdale, Sisi Stringer, and the return of STC audience favourites Justine Clarke, Pamela Rabe, Helen Thomson, Jonathan Biggins, Ewen Leslie and Guy Simon.
David Wenham returns to Sydney Theatre Company for the first time in 26 years, in ‘An Iliad’, while ‘Doubt: A Parable’ welcomes Pamela Rabe and Sam Worthington back.
‘The Unfriend’ sees comedic genius Helen Thomson return to STC. It’s a dark comedy set to change everything you thought you knew about the importance of good manners. Plus, Mitchell Butel will return to the Sydney stage for the first time since 2018 in Larry Kramer’s semi-autobiographical ‘The Normal Heart’.
‘The Gospel According To Paul: The Second Coming’ is written and performed by Jonathan Biggins, co-creator and star of ‘The Wharf Revue’, and one of Australia’s favourite comedic actors.
“Theatre has the power to touch hearts, challenge beliefs, invite empathy, delight, provoke, inspire, enlighten and, importantly, entertain. I am honoured to have the great privilege of inviting artists and playwrights I respect and admire to bring brilliant, entertaining theatre to the people of Sydney,” Artistic Director Mitchell Butel says.
“In 2026, our artists, both onstage performers and creatives behind the scenes, represent the generations from emerging to veterans. My career started as an actor and I’ve been lucky to work for almost every theatre company and performed on stages across Australia but Sydney Theatre Company feels like home. I grew up professionally on these stages and I want to celebrate my theatre elders and peers – the actors, directors and creatives who taught, supported and inspired me – and create those same opportunities for the next generation of artists.”
“In programming this season, some of the themes that have emerged in the works are around change and difference. Experiencing live storytelling in a theatre together allows us to hold space for different and competing views, to foster empathy and perhaps even change our perspective. The stories in our 2026 Season look back at significant moments in history, celebrate those who have fought to make change and explore how telling stories can help us to understand the present and ourselves.”
Check out the full 2026 season.
Sydney Theatre Company’s 2026 season kicks off with ‘Purpose’ in February.
