[Brisbane] Stunning Line-Up of Musical Theatre Stars Announced Today for All-New Australian Production of Hit Pop Musical The Lovers

A new production of breakout Australian pop musical The Lovers will include a who’s who of Australian musical theatre with the cast announced today by Shake & Stir Theatre Co and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in association with Brisbane Festival, for its premiere in QPAC’s Playhouse from 13 September to 5 October 2025. Brisbane – get set to fall in love!

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Romantic, rebellious, and irresistibly fun, this tangled tale of love is written and composed by the acclaimed Laura Murphy. The Lovers catapults Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream into the 21st century with a pulsating pop soundtrack, a powerhouse live band, and a bold new twist on the timeless comedy – bursting with energy and heart.

The Lovers’ star-studded cast includes Natalie Abbott (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical) as Helena, Jason Arrow (Hamilton) as Demetrius, Jayme-Lee Hanekom (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Puck, Loren Hunter (SIX – The Musical) as Hermia, Stellar Perry (Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Show) as Oberon, and Mat Verevis (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Beautiful) as Lysander. Rounding out the cast is Indigo Hunt (Hamilton), Jenni Little (Titanique, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) and Nic Van Lits (Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Show).

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Shake & Stir’s Artistic Director and The Lovers’ Director Nick Skubij (Frankenstein, Fourteen, Fourthcoming), said he couldn’t be more delighted with the brilliant line-up secured for this must-see theatrical event.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to take Laura’s addictive pop masterwork to the next level. To do that I needed three things – incredible source material (check), a brilliant creative team (check) and a top-shelf cast (check!). After all, this show requires virtuosic vocalists, brilliant actor/dancers and charisma for days. I can proudly confirm that our cast is nothing short of mind-blowing. One of them would have been a coup – to have ALL of them on stage, at the same time, is extraordinary,” said Skubij.

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“Supporting them is a team of some of the country’s most revered creatives including Choreographer Yvette Lee (Follies), Music Director Heidi Maguire (SIX The Musical), Designer Isabel Hudson (Dear Evan Hansen), Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest (Frankenstein) and current TONY® Award nominee David Bergman (The Picture of Dorian Gray) as Video and Sound Designer,” he added.

The thrilling new production of The Lovers from the creative powerhouse of Shake & Stir Theatre Co will cast its magical spell over Queensland from 13 September to 5 October in the Playhouse, QPAC.

Get ready to fall head over heels. The Lovers is a wild ride through love, lust, and lunacy – where nothing goes as planned, but everything happens for a reason.

Tickets are on sale at qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.

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Shake and Stir Theatre Co and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), in association with Brisbane Festival present: The Lovers - A musical by Laura Murphy

WHEN: 13 September to 5 October 2025
WHERE: Playhouse, QPAC, Queensland Cultural Centre, South Bank, Brisbane
TICKETS: Refer to qpac.com.au
BOOKINGS: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246