What's On

Event details

Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse
Bookings: Katy Forde on 0400 112 114 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Start Date: Saturday 12 February 2022

Brisbane’s first lady doctor lives again on stage
The new Australian musical A Girl’s Guide to World War has opened to standing ovations at Brisbane Powerhouse in February 2022. Running for three weeks until the 20th, this award-winning show celebrates the wartime exploits of Brisbane’s first lady doctor, Dr Lilian Cooper.
After sell-out shows in 2018 and 2019, the musical won the Lord Mayor’s Award for ‘Best New Australian Work’ at the Matilda Awards in 2019.
Legendary musical theatre star Susie French (Mama Mia, Menopause the Musical, Pirates of Penzance) also won a Matilda Award for her unforgettable portrayal of the smoking, swearing lesbian surgeon, Dr Lilian Cooper.
Audience favourites Justine Anderson and Simon Burvill-Holmes also head up the cast, while the supporting cast of young performers represent the talent of the next generation of Australian performers.
A Girl’s Guide to World War is written by Queensland couple Katy Forde and Aleathea Monsour. Katy and Aleathea are partners in love and in life.
This inspiring musical brings to life a true story. In World War One, lady doctors want to join the army. When the army tells them to ‘stay home and sit still’ … they go anyway.
Leading the charge to the frontline is Brisbane’s own Dr Lilian Cooper. Dr Cooper was Queensland’s first female doctor, and Australia’s first female surgeon.
“The response to the show has been overwhelming,” says the composer Aleathea. “We want people to have a great time at the show – there’s humour, live music, rollicking adventure – but underneath that, there’s a very special story about compassion and courage. And I think that’s what audiences have embraced.”
“This show is about Australian women – and specifically Brisbane women – who truly changed history,” adds lyricist and writer Katy. “These women have been forgotten, and we’re passionate about bringing them back into the light where they belong.”
A Girl’s Guide to World War opened at Brisbane Powerhouse on the 3rd of February 2022. It plays for three weeks until 20th February.
Purchase tickets at brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/event/a-girls-guide-to-world-war or call Brisbane Powerhouse on 3358 8600.

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