What's On

Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical
 

The musical that stops the nation

WORLD PREMIERE

Directed by Sheridan Harbridge

Not just another absurdist, electro-swing musical comedy about a thoroughbred racehorse, Phar Lap is a rags-to-riches story with a big heart. If you’re thinking elaborate life-size puppetry and dazzling special effects, you couldn’t be more wrong (we don’t have the budget). Suspend your disbelief as an actor swaps his horseshoes for tap shoes to play one of Australia’s most beloved icons.


When an awkward, gangly horse from New Zealand meets a hapless, down-on-his-luck, trainer, they embark on a classic underdog story to win the Melbourne Cup, and Australians’ hearts and minds. The road isn’t easy – there are gambling scandals, double-crosses, an attempted shooting, and a career-threatening addiction to sugar. It’s high stakes, high drama, and highly historically accurate.


Phar Lap boasts an irresistible electro-swing score, with inspirations from Duke Ellington to Daft Punk. Brassy, lively and retro – these songs will take you from the race course to the rave hall.


Pop the champagne, harness up, and get ready for a wild ride.

 

Event details

Venue: Hayes Theatre
Bookings: https://boxoffice.hayestheatre.com.au/WEBPAGES/EntaWebShow/ShowPerformance.aspx
Start Date: Monday 17 November 2025

Prices
Previews
Adult $69
Concession/Group (8+) $64
Under 35 $55
Mid-Week Matinees
Adult $79
Concession/Group (8+) $69
Under 35 $60
Weeknights & Saturday Matinees
Adult $84
Concession/Group (8+) $74
Under 35 $65
Friday & Saturday Evenings
Adult $89
Concession/Group (8+) $79
*Concession prices apply to Seniors, Pensioners, Students and MEAA members.

Times
Monday 6:30pm
Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm
Thursday 1:00pm
Saturday 2:00pm
*No matinee performance on Sat 18 Oct
*No matinee performance on Thu 23 Oct
*Post show Q&A on Mon 27 Oct
*Captioned performance on Wed 5 Nov

Running Time
Approx. 90 minutes – no interval

Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible
Captioned Performance - WED 5 NOV

 

Find more events in Sydney»

Disclaimer: Australian Stage takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided in event listings. You are advised to confirm performance dates/times with the company and/or venue before purchasing tickets.

Most read Sydney reviews

  • Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet
    Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet
    To Shakespeare’s text be true is the obvious goal here, and writer, director and actor have each scored.
  • Uked! | Bondi Theatre Company
    Uked! | Bondi Theatre Company
    Uked! is a sing along, string along, immersive jukebox musical, that's more folksy balladeering than an all out, all that jazz razzmatazz.
  • Doubt | Sydney Theatre Company
    Doubt | Sydney Theatre Company
    Contradiction, conundrum, conflict, racism, misogyny and homophobia run through this play like a main circuit cable snaking through a moral minefield of explosive allegation.
  • The Can Principle | Jonny Pasvolsky
    The Can Principle | Jonny Pasvolsky
    Following the unedifying edict that "there's a sucker born every minute", the show skewers the modern self-improvement economy in a piss-take parody of today's 'gurus' and snake-oil salesmen.
  • The Lark | Hey Dowling
    The Lark | Hey Dowling
    Noni Hazlehurst brings Rose and The Lark to colourful and compelling life in this one-woman show.

Most read reviews