Nine Must-See Perth Musicals, Stage Shows and Concerts – From Broadway Classics to Next-Gen Talent

Perth’s spotlights are warming up. In the second half of 2026, the city is hosting a solid run of world-class musicals, homegrown theatre and tried-and-true collaborations, with barely a quiet night between them.

Before they’re gone, book tickets to The Cat Empire and West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO), returning for an encore of their sold-out 2024 collaboration. Shakespeare gets a radical update too, with West Australian Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet and WASO teaming up for a gritty, influencer-laced Macbeth, choreographed by Helpmann Award winner Alice Topp.

Musical lovers, meanwhile, have a couple of classics to look forward to. The Book of Mormon is rolling back into the city with a fresh cast. And Fiddler on the Roof returns to the city, led by West End star Troy Sussman and Aussie screen legend Sigrid Thornton (SeaChange, The Man From Snowy River).

If it's local talent you’re after, there’s plenty of that too – catch two roof-raising nights from a cappella group Naya Chorale, the next generation of Perth playwrights and actors in Made in Boorloo, and much more.

Whether you’re after a big-name spectacle or the next wave of local talent, there’s a seat with your name on it this season.

Gabby Goes to Hollywood

Sometimes even the most playful of artworks comes from the most immense pain. Emerging Aotearoa New Zealand artist and performer Gabrielle Wilson knows this better than most. She started working on the semi-autobiographical Gabby Goes to Hollywood from inside psychiatric care, supported by the Australian Theatre for Young People’s Fresh Ink mentoring program. The result is a camp, gaudy, very pink and deeply personal cabaret built largely from her own journal entries. Wilson takes on bipolar disorder through original songs and frank and funny monologues, tracing one woman’s attempted journey to stardom. Backed by pianist Lachlan Edinger, it’s part breakdown, part breakthrough, and wholly ready to put it all in the spotlight. August 25 to September 5 at The Blue Room Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Day (After Day) in the Life of the Useless

We’re all still learning to take AI’s life advice with a grain (or kilo) of salt. Unfortunately, so is Pete, the hapless hero of Day (After Day) in the Life of the Useless. Dumped by his fiancée for a new lover days before their wedding, Pete does what any reasonable person in a crisis does in 2026 – he asks a chatbot for help. It’s the latest full-length work from award-winning actor, playwright and director Will O'Mahony (Coma Land, Tonsils + Tweezers, Great White), who was inspired by those stretches of life where Murphy’s law reigns supreme. From it, he’s built a chaotic, funny meditation on modern life’s challenges, from combating isolation to embracing rest and healing a broken heart. August 29 to September 20 at Heath Ledger Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Macbeth

Whether you’re new to the classics or a Shakespearean die-hard, this new production of Macbeth proves the story is as relevant as ever. West Australian Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet and West Australian Symphony Orchestra have teamed up for an edgy new take on Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. It’s the latest from Aussie choreographer Alice Topp, who won a Helpmann Award in 2019 for The Australian Ballet’s Aurum. Gritty and pulse-driven, the ballet is set to a fresh score from celebrated composer Christopher Gordon, performed live by members of the orchestra. Themes of power, ambition and greed play out in a performance that weaves in contemporary elements – including a surprise spin on the Weird Sisters, reimagined as influencers. Catch the Australian premiere right here in Perth before it’s gone. September 4 to 19 at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

One World, Many Sounds

This two-day Indian musical event covers classical music from across the subcontinent, from the north’s Hindustani traditions to the Carnatic styles of the south. Presented by Swara Synthesis, an experimental Indian ensemble led by award-winning composer Avra Banerjee, the production explores the overlap and nuances of the two distinct ancient styles, which share roots but began to separate around the 12th century. Night one dives deep into Indian classical and semiclassical traditions. Night two builds a cultural bridge, weaving those classical roots with jazz, blues and rock. Plus, there’ll be traditional and contemporary dance to accompany both performances. September 11 & 12 at Midland Junction Arts Centre, in partnership with The Blue Room Theatre. Tickets are on sale now. 

Made in Boorloo

What were you doing as a teenager? Probably not writing and performing in professional productions. That’s exactly what these young people are doing for Made in Boorloo, which is back for its third year spotlighting the next wave of local theatre talent. Written and performed by WA Youth Theatre Company members aged 12 to 26, this double bill of single-act plays digs into what’s keeping young people up at night in 2026. In Arthur Brown’s Joan of Armadale, a fearless student takes on local climate inaction, channelling history’s original teen activist, Joan of Arc. Then in Iris Warren’s Wet Season, three students trapped in detention during a cyclone warning in regional WA are forced to confront the messier, unspoken parts of growing up rural. See these rising stars now, before they make it big. September 16 to 19 at The Blue Room Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Naya Unplugged

Naya Chorale knows how to raise the roof. Since forming in 2012, the Perth-born a cappella group has become known for its technical precision and performances that shake you from the inside out (the group has even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, alongside esteemed composer and conductor Eric Whitacre). Now, the ensemble is back for the annual Naya Unplugged, a journey through harmonies, melodies and vocal percussion. It’s all bolstered by fresh spins on contemporary pop, featuring hits from Rihanna, the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and even KPop Demon Hunters. October 2 & 3 at Perth Modern School. Tickets are on sale now.

The Book of Mormon

What do the creators of South Park do when they turn their attention to Broadway? Send a pair of Mormon missionaries as far from Salt Lake City as possible, of course. The result is The Book of Mormon, a modern classic that’s irreverent, sharp and frequently profane. In the 15 years since its debut it’s bagged Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards. The wide-grinned cast first rolled into Perth in 2019, where it celebrated the musical’s 1000th Aussie performance. Now, it returns with a fresh cast including Sean Johnston (Hairspray) as Elder Price and Nick Cox (Beauty and the Beast) as the bumbling Elder Cunningham, with Paris Leveque making her professional stage debut as Nabulungi. Tom Struik, Simbarashe Matshe and Augie Tchantcho – reprising his role from the original Australian run – round out the ensemble. October 20 to November 22 at Crown Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

The Cat Empire with WASO

Some collaborations just make sense. That’s certainly the case for The Cat Empire and WASO, who teamed up for three sold-out shows back in 2024. Now, they’re back for an encore, and it’s expected to sell out again. The Melbourne band’s danceable blend of ska, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and flamenco sounds gets a grand orchestral boost, with dance from Melbourne-based flamenco group Arte Kanela amping up the spectacle. December 4 & 5. Tickets are on sale now.

Fiddler on the Roof

Following a record-breaking season in London and runs in Sydney and Brisbane, one of the all-time greatest musicals arrives in Perth, led by West End star Troy Sussman (Back to the Future, Sunset Boulevard) and Aussie screen legend Sigrid Thornton. Virtuoso Aussie klezmer musician Ben Adler plays the eponymous fiddler, adding local flair to iconic numbers If I Were a Rich Man and Sunrise, Sunset. The Broadway classic made its debut in 1964 and hasn’t missed a beat since. January 7 to January 31, 2027, at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Past Events

George Glass’s Dial M For Mushrooms

Beef Wellington, anyone? Too soon? This Fringe World musical comedy takes audiences to court in an absurd and silly show based on the gripping murder trial of 2025. Dinner won’t be served, but the George Glass trio (Adelaide’s Nic Conway, Pud Hamilton and Chris Nenov) will bring their A game with funk-rock songs and knife-edge humour. February 4 to 8 at Studio Underground. Buy tickets here.

Lacrima

Gripping, cinematic and suspenseful, this large-scale show thrusts audiences into the cutthroat world of haute couture. There are beadmakers in Mumbai, lacemakers in Normandy and a fashion designer in the UK who are all integral in the making of a wedding dress fit for a princess. The ambitious Perth Festival show by French director and filmmaker Caroline Guiela Nguyen is already sold out, but if your on-the-pulse cultural friend suddenly can’t attend, make sure you’re first in line to snap up their ticket.February 6 to 10 at Heath Ledger Theatre. Tickets are sold out.

POV

There’s no dress rehearsal for becoming a parent, and this widely praised 70-minute show uses that anxiety-inducing premise to put two unrehearsed actors through their paces with one camera-wielding pre-teen. In this Perth Festival iteration, 11-year-old Bub is played by alternating actors Yuna Ahn and Grace Tione. Her parents are played by a pair of adult actors (from a troupe of 14), whose only task is to react in real time. It might be funny, it might be sad, but as the grown-ups are unprepared, no two shows could possibly be the same. February 10 to 15 at Subiaco Arts Centre. Tickets are on sale now.

Haribo Kimchi

At a pojangmacha (street food cart), an aproned Jaha Koo invites a couple of audience members to sit cartside for a four-course Korean meal. While they see Koo slice cucumber or fry pancakes up close, everyone else sees the performer chop, sizzle and scorch food through video projection. Koo isn’t just here to cook, he’s here to share a personal story of migration, nostalgia, comfort and loneliness. A gummy bear also makes an appearance.

Haribo Kimchi runs from February 18 to 22 at Studio Underground. Tickets are on sale now.

Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes

Black wig, long lashes, red lips and cigarette in hand, Meow Meow’s signature style is ever present in her latest interpretation of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Just like in her reworkings of The Little Match Girl (2012) and The Little Mermaid (2016), the cabaret genius is here to remedy the wrongs of Andersen’s story. Where the original Karen was cursed to never stop dancing, Meow Meow is plagued to never stop performing.

Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes runs from February 26 to March 1 at His Majesty's Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Anastasia The Broadway Musical

Faithful to the 1997 animated film, Anastasia The Broadway Musical is touring Australia for the first time with Georgina Hopson (Titanique) in the lead role. Hopson honours the magic of the movie, especially in her renditions of Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December. Joining her on stage is Robert Tripolino as Dmitry. There’s romance, adventure and sparkle, and just a sprinkle of deception, rebellion and defiance.

Anastasia The Broadway Musical runs from March 3 to 28 at Crown Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

RBG: Of Many, One

Heather Mitchell is a powerhouse in any role, but as Ruth Bader Ginsburg she’s the walking, talking trailblazing “notorious RBG”. Mitchell embodies the US Supreme Court justice with a certain grace and quietness that makes you feel like the jurist is right there on stage. Written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Suzie Miller (Prima Facie), the one-woman play is an entertaining and emotional whiz through RBG’s pivotal moments, from her teen years to her death in 2020.

RBG: Of Many, One runs from March 19 to April 4 at Heath Ledger Theatre. Buy tickets here.

Red Ticket

Lily and Poppy are both new mums struggling with the weight of motherhood. The main difference is they’ve become mothers in different centuries. Whereas Lily is crushed by the pressures of modern-day “have it all” mentality, Poppy is bound for the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum. This haunting new production is written and directed by Josie Walsh, who wants to challenge the stigma around postpartum depression. Her atmospheric and deeply psychological play looks at misogyny and mental health with compassion and curiosity.

Red Ticket runs until April 18 at The Blue Room Theatre. Tickets are on sale here.

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Relive the innocence of the 1990s in a musical adaptation of one of the most unlikely romcoms to be turned into a musical. Yes, a wealthy client still falls for the charms of a living-for-the-moment sex worker and promises to rescue her with the trappings of capitalism, but this time there are belting songs, such as I Can’t Go Back and Anywhere But Here. Samantha Jade and Perth-born Ben Hall play Vivian and Edward, and you can guarantee the audience will chime in on “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”

Pretty Woman: The Musical runs from April 18 to May 24 at Crown Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Which Way Home

Writer Katie Beckett based her play on her own memories of growing up with a single Aboriginal dad. The Murrawarri actor and playwright wanted to show how loving and caring men like her father are, which she says isn’t often portrayed on stage. In Which Way Home, Tash takes her dad on a road trip back to Country. It’s a story filled with reconnection – to each other and to place – with plenty of humour and heart. Real-life father and daughter Derek and Shaquita Nannup star in this Yirra Yaakin performance, directed by Cezera Critti-Schnaars (All Boys).

Which Way Home runs from April 28 to May 9 at Subiaco Arts Centre Studio. Tickets are on sale now.

The Shepherd’s Hut

Friendship can be forged in the most unlikely places. For 15-year-old Jaxie, on the run after the death of his abusive father, it’s in the remote saltlands of Western Australia where he meets Fintan MacGillis, a disgraced Irish priest living in exile. WA is the backbone of this Tim Winton story about survival, masculinity and forgiveness, which has been adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Tim McGarry (Boy Swallows Universe) and director Matt Edgerton. See it at its world premiere in May.

The Shepherd’s Hut runs from May 9 to 31 at Heath Ledger Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Dracula

Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra have teamed up for a biting new production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It’s the creation of Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor, whose debut in 2018 was a critical smash and all-round crowd-pleaser. The gothic horror is camp, dramatic and seductive, leaning into the themes of repressed desires and sexuality. You’ll recognise the score from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film, composed by Wojciech Kilar, plus other music by Kilar. There will be waltzes, stakes driven into hearts and, you guessed it, plenty of blood.

Dracula runs from May 15 to 30 at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Dirty Talk

Is there anything hotter than a spicy book? If you’re into sexy lit, or Booktok, you’ll know how arousing a fantasy rom-com can be. It’s even more fun if you listen to the audiobook version. Tapping into the pleasure genre are performer and producer Talia Zipper, director Marie-Eve Cigna, and co-writers Emily Jenkins and Tiahna Johnson, who’ve created a (potentially explosive) new queer rom-com that centres the female gaze and plays with the audio-erotica genre through an immersive soundscape.

Dirty Talk runs from June 16 to 27 at The Blue Room Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

The Almighty Sometimes

Australian playwright Kendall Feaver’s debut was awarded Best New Play at the 2018 UK Theatre Awards, among other accolades. Its central character, Anna, has grappled with mental illness all her life, and has been medicated since she was 11 years old. Now, as she approaches adulthood, she’s questioning who she might be without those pills. Are the meds suppressing her brilliance? Her weary mum Renée isn’t as keen to find out. The calm they’ve become accustomed to was hard-won.

The Almighty Sometimes runs from June 19 to July 5 at Subiaco Arts Centre. Tickets are on sale here.

At What Cost?

cremating the remains of an ancestor returned from a London museum. He’s a leader in his community, with a baby on the way. But an unexpected arrival from a woman called Gracie starts a chain reaction of questioning who has the right to identify as Aboriginal, and who is entitled to land. When writer Nathan Maynard’s play debuted at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre in 2022, the Trawlwoolway man from Larapuna Country called it “juicy”, though At What Cost is undoubtedly a tragedy. Nyaki-Nyaki director Maitland Schnaars shapes this production, presented by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.

At What Cost runs from July 17 to August 1 at Subiaco Arts Centre. Find tickets here.

Eugene Onegin

Ever regretted not asking that hottie out? Or saying “no” when they asked you? This Tchaikovsky opera is all about what could have been. Years after Eugene Onegin rejects Tatyana’s advances, he looks back on his decision with longing and regret. This Northern Ireland Opera production, featuring West Australian Opera Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, stars Samantha Clarke as Tatyana and Samuel Dundas as Onegin. Expect heartbreak, whispered confessions and duels at dawn.

Eugene Onegin runs from August 6 to 15 at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets are on sale here.

CANCELLED: Beetlejuice The Musical

Shake, shake, shake, Senora and get your body in line for a riotous time with Eddie Perfect, who plays the lovable demon Betelgeuse in this musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s 1988 film. It’s loyal to the original with striped suits, crude jokes and a ghoulish set. Perfect wrote the music and lyrics, and his performance has been celebrated for being even more vulgar than Michael Keaton’s. Those two calypso songs, Banana Boat Song (Day-O) and Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora), are guaranteed, as is a suitably sulky teenage Lydia, played by Karis Oka.

Beetlejuice The Musical runs from August 16 to September 6 at Crown Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 15, 2026. It was substantially updated on April 24, 2026 and again on August 21 to include new plays, stage shows and musicals coming to Perth in 2026.