Guardian Australia's team of critics has unveiled its definitive list of the most outstanding live performances to grace Australian stages in 2025. After countless hours spent in auditoriums nationwide, the publication has compiled a selection of twenty exceptional productions spanning theatre, musicals, dance, opera, and comedy.
Blockbuster Musicals and Theatrical Adaptations
The year was marked by several major musical productions and bold adaptations of classic stories. Eddie Perfect's adaptation of Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' proved a smash hit, with Perfect himself starring as the demonic bio-exorcist during its Melbourne run. The show, noted for its fantastic costumes, set, and hilarious wordplay, will tour to Brisbane in 2026.
Meanwhile, a new touring production of the iconic rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar' captivated audiences in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. Michael Paynter delivered a blistering performance as Jesus, with Javon King as Judas and Reuben Kaye as a camp King Herod, all backed by a powerhouse live band.
Literary adaptations also shone brightly. The Sydney Theatre Company presented a terrifying and brilliant stage version of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', directed by Ian Michael. Similarly, Joanna Murray-Smith's nimble adaptation of 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', directed by Sarah Goodes and starring Will McDonald, was praised for its relentless pace and charismatic central performance.
Innovative Opera, Dance, and Comedy
The opera scene delivered one of the year's most powerful experiences with Kaija Saariaho's 'Innocence' at the Adelaide Festival. This spooky and highly charged work about a school shooting's aftermath was hailed as a jaw-dropping theatrical masterpiece.
In dance, Bangarra Dance Theatre's 'Illume', under artistic director Frances Rings, presented achingly profound meditations on light and life, touring to Sydney, Perth, Albany, Canberra, Brisbane, Darwin, and Melbourne.
Comedy pushed boundaries with award-winning shows. Garry Starr's 'Classic Penguins', the alter-ego of Damien Warren-Smith, took out the Melbourne Comedy Festival's top award by revitalising the literary canon through a nude, one-man show. Meanwhile, Lou Wall's 'Breaking the Fifth Wall', directed by Zoë Coombs-Marr, offered a mind-bendingly meta hour of high-concept comedy and will tour nationally in 2026.
Groundbreaking New Writing and Revivals
The year was also strong for new Australian writing. At Belvoir Street Theatre, Declan Furber Gillick's 'Jacky' was a serrated-edge comedy starring Guy Simon and Danny Howard, delivering a satirical takedown of racism. Gabrielle Scawthorn's debut play, 'The Edit', offered a scorching look at reality TV celebrity.
Significant revivals included a potent Adelaide Festival production of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' starring Seann Miley Moore, and a queer confection of Leonard Bernstein's 'Candide' by Opera Australia, directed by Dean Bryant and featuring Eddie Perfect as narrator.
Other notable mentions include the immersive '12 Last Songs' at Perth Festival, the extraordinary community-engaged 'Antigone in the Amazon' at Sydney Festival, and the moving photographic performance 'William Yang: Milestone'. Griffin Theatre's hit production 'Sistren' by Iolanthe was so successful it is returning in 2026, and the UK comedy sensation 'One Man Musical' by Flo & Joan made its hilarious Australian premiere.
