My Brilliant Career (musical)
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.
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]
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.
Reception
The musical was very well-received including multiple five-star reviews.[2][3]
2024 Melbourne production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
Green Room Awards | Outstanding Production | Won | [4] | |
| 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 | |||
References
- ^ "My Brilliant Career was written as women fought for suffrage. A new musical brings it into the modern day". ABC News. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Byrne, Tim (13 November 2024). "My Brilliant Career review – this Miles Franklin musical is a funny, feminist triumph". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Russell, Stephen A (13 November 2024). "Review: My Brilliant Career". Time Out Melbourne. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "2025 Green Room Awards" (PDF). greenroom.org.au. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.