My Brilliant Career (musical)
| My Brilliant Career | |
|---|---|
| Music | Mathew Frank |
| Lyrics | Dean Bryant |
| Book |
|
| Setting | Rural New South Wales; 1890s |
| Basis | Novel My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin |
| Premiere | 7 November 2024: Southbank Theatre, Melbourne |
| Productions |
|
My Brilliant Career is an Australian musical based on the novel of the same name by Miles Franklin, with book by Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant, music by Mathew Frank and lyrics by Dean Bryant.
Principal casts
| Role | Melbourne | National tour |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2026 | |
| Sybylla Melvyn | Kala Gare | |
| Frank Hawden/Bullant | Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward | |
| Jimmy M'Swat/Horace | Lincoln Elliott | |
| Harry Beecham/Peter M'Swat | Raj Labade | |
| Dick Melvyn/Jay-Jay/Mr M'Swat | Drew Livingston | |
| Lucy Melvyn/Helen/Mrs M'Swat | Christina O'Neill | |
| Gertie/Blanche/Lizer | HaNy Lee | Melanie Bird |
| Grannie Bossier/Rose Jane | Ana Mitsikas | |
Musical numbers
|
Act I
|
Act II
|
Development and production history
Bryant and Frank began writing the musical in 2016. It was workshopped in 2019 at Monash University as part of an artist-in-residence program, after which Harbridge joined as a collaborator.[1] The workshop cast featured Luisa Scrofani as Sybylla Melvyn, alongside Andrew Coshan, Alister Kingsley, James Millar, Natalie O’Donnell, and Anne Wood.[2]
My Brilliant Career premiered at the Southbank Theatre for the Melbourne Theatre Company, from 7 November to 21 December 2024. The original production was directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, featuring Kala Gare as Sybylla with an ensemble cast of actor/musicians including Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Lincoln Elliot, Victoria Falconer, Raj Labade, Drew Livingston, HaNy Lee, Ana Mitsikas, Christina O'Neill and Jarrad Payne.
A new Australian tour in 2026 will have seasons in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Wollongong.[3]
Reception
The musical was very well-received including multiple five-star reviews.[4][5]
2024 Melbourne production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
Green Room Awards | Outstanding Production | Won | [6] | |
| Outstanding Ensemble/Featured Ensemble | The Company | Won | |||
| Outstanding New Australian Music Theatre Writing | Dean Bryant & Sheridan Harbridge (Book) Mathew Frank (Music) Dean Bryant (Lyrics) | Won | |||
| Outstanding Choreography | Amy Campbell | Won | |||
| Outstanding Direction – Music | Victoria Falconer | Won | |||
| Outstanding Artist – Leading Role | Kala Gare | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Artist – Supporting Role | Raj Labade | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Direction – Stage | Anne-Louise Sarks | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Design | Marg Horwell | Nominated | |||
Recording
Following the 2019 workshop at Monash University, a cast recording was produced in January 2020,[7] featuring additional performers Jerome Javier and Melanie Bird.[8][9]
References
- ^ Story, Hannah (28 November 2024). "My Brilliant Career was written as women fought for suffrage. A new musical brings it into the modern day". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "My Brilliant Career – a musical adaptation". Australian Art Review. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "My Brilliant Career to tour Australia in 2026". AussieTheatre.com. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Byrne, Tim (13 November 2024). "My Brilliant Career review – this Miles Franklin musical is a funny, feminist triumph". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Russell, Stephen A (13 November 2024). "Review: My Brilliant Career". Time Out Melbourne. Time Out Group. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "2025 Green Room Awards" (PDF). Green Room Awards Guide. Green Room Awards Association. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Litson, Jo (15 April 2020). "My Brilliant Career: the original cast recording". Limelight. Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "My Brilliant Career Musical - Original Cast Recording". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "My Brilliant Career releases Original Cast Recording". Australian Art Review. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2026.