A Platinum Celebration: My Fair Lady Returns for Historic 70th Anniversary Season

The rain in Spain might stay mainly on the plain, but the spotlight is headed firmly for the Joan Sutherland Theatre and the Ian Potter State Theatre. Producers Opera Australia and John Frost for Crossroads Live have officially revealed the cast for the 70th Anniversary season of the "perfect musical", My Fair Lady.

2026 marks a rare double-platinum milestone, as Opera Australia also celebrates its own 70th anniversary this year, making this lavish production a massive double celebration.

A Cast of Icons and Emerging Stars

The supporting cast is already a "who's who" of Australian stage royalty:

• Reg Livermore steps back into the shoes of the rascally Alfred P. Doolittle.
• Robyn Nevin returns as the formidable Mrs Higgins.
• Tony Llewellyn-Jones reprises his role as Colonel Hugh Pickering.
• Freddy Hellier makes his highly anticipated mainstage musical theatre debut as Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

Breaking Records and Refurbished Stages

This production is based on the acclaimed 2016 Australian production directed by the legendary Julie Andrews. That previous run famously broke box office records when it premiered at the Sydney Opera House for its 60th anniversary.

Melbourne fans have an extra reason to celebrate: My Fair Lady will be the first major musical to perform at the Arts Centre Melbourne's newly refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre.

Sydney Season: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House — from September 2026. Melbourne Season: Ian Potter State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne — from November 2026.