The Sydney Festival 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting cultural events in Australia’s calendar, bringing together world-class performances, thought-provoking theatre, and boundary-pushing art. With an impressive lineup of international and local talent, the festival promises to offer an unforgettable experience, featuring a diverse range of performances that explore stories of identity, creativity, and community.
From dazzling theatre and music to transformative art installations and powerful personal narratives, Sydney Festival 2025 will celebrate the boundless potential of human expression. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the standout performances and events that will make Sydney the cultural capital of the world in 2025.
Back to Back Theatre: Multiple Bad Things
Following their 2024 Venice Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre, Back to Back Theatre returns to the Sydney Festival with their highly anticipated new production Multiple Bad Things. Known for their powerful, often unsettling, explorations of social and personal realities, this production will transform the Sydney Opera House stage into a stark warehouse at the "end of the world."
In Multiple Bad Things, three employees struggle with a seemingly pointless and futile task, grappling with themes of isolation, collaboration, and the human desire for meaning in an increasingly disaffected world. This new work, infused with Back to Back Theatre’s signature blend of absurdity, raw emotion, and dark humour, promises to leave audiences contemplating the complexities of the human experience long after the curtain falls.
William Yang’s Milestone: A Celebration of Life and Identity
William Yang, the iconic Chinese-Australian visual and performance artist, will present Milestone, a deeply personal performance celebrating his 80th birthday and reflecting on a lifetime of experiences. Known for his candid storytelling and photographic exploration of queer Australia, Yang takes the stage to share his unique journey of self-discovery, family dynamics, and cultural identity.
Set to the haunting score of Elena Kats-Chernin, performed live by a chamber ensemble and Kats-Chernin herself on piano, Milestone is a powerful journey through themes of family, sexual identity, and the challenges of growing up in a country that wasn’t always welcoming. Through Yang's vast collection of photographs, the performance also shines a light on key moments in the LGBTQIA+ community’s history in Australia, from the early days of Sydney's Mardi Gras to the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Ahilan Ratnamohan: The Tamilization – A Story of Language and Loss
Ahilan Ratnamohan, actor, author, and choreographer, brings The Tamilization to Sydney Festival 2025, a deeply personal exploration of language, identity, and cultural rediscovery. In this compelling performance, Ratnamohan attempts to speak Tamil, a language he didn’t learn as a child, with the help of his mother sitting beside him on stage. As she prompts and encourages him, Ratnamohan traces his journey of reconnecting with the Tamil language, reflecting on the profound loss of cultural heritage and the joy of rediscovery.
This moving, intimate performance explores themes of language, family, and identity, offering an evocative look at the complexities of growing up in a multicultural environment and the emotional power of reclaiming lost traditions.
Opera Australia’s Cinderella – A New Staging of a Classic Fairy Tale
Opera Australia will make a grand debut at Sydney Festival 2025 with their new staging of Cinderella (Cendrillon), following packed-out runs at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London. Directed by Laurent Pelly, this production promises to be a delightful and enchanting experience, with lavish costumes, playful choreography, and a magical sense of wonder.
In the role of the Fairy Godmother, Emma Matthews, the renowned Australian mezzo-soprano, brings her warmth and charm to this classic fairy tale. With a blend of humour, nostalgia, and fairy-tale magic, this Cinderella is sure to delight audiences of all ages, transporting them into a world of dreams, hope, and transformation.
Christie Whelan Browne’s Life in Plastic – A Cabaret Journey of Self-Acceptance
In her latest cabaret, Life in Plastic, Christie Whelan Browne takes audiences on a personal and emotional journey through her life, reflecting on the triumphs and struggles that have defined her journey to self-acceptance. From her teenage years filled with blue light discos to grappling with the physical and emotional challenges of endometriosis, Whelan Browne’s performance is a candid exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing one's true self.
This production, written and directed by Sheridan Harbridge, features a vibrant mix of dance hits and pop anthems, alongside poignant personal stories and surprising moments of humour. Life in Plastic is a celebration of overcoming self-doubt and learning to love oneself in all its complexities.
Tina – A Tropical Love Story: A Tribute to Tina Turner
Miss Ellaneous (Ben Graetz), the First Nations drag performer, brings Tina – A Tropical Love Story to the Sydney Festival, an unforgettable tribute to the life and legacy of Tina Turner. Through dazzling drag performances, storytelling, and a deep personal connection to Tina Turner’s music and message, Graetz weaves a narrative that spans his own childhood in Darwin and his transformative relationship with Turner’s empowering spirit.
This heartfelt performance, featuring guest artists from the drag, First Nations, and queer performance scenes, will celebrate the powerful impact of Tina Turner on both a personal and cultural level. Tina – A Tropical Love Story promises to be a dynamic and deeply emotional tribute to one of the most iconic figures in music history.
In Her Own Words: The Stories of Inspiring Australian Women
In Her Own Words will return to the Sydney Festival in 2025, this time showcasing an even wider array of extraordinary Australian women. Co-created by James Millar, the show will feature Rachael Beck (star of Beauty and the Beast and Les Misérables) bringing to life stories shared by inspiring women from all walks of life, including visual artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and community leaders. This performance, which celebrates women’s voices and accomplishments, promises to be empowering, surprising, and deeply moving.
Katie Noonan’s Tribute to Jeff Buckley’s Grace – A 30th Anniversary Performance
In one of the most anticipated musical performances of the festival, Katie Noonan will mark the 30th anniversary of Jeff Buckley’s seminal album Grace with a powerful tribute performance. Having previously stunned audiences with her tribute to Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Noonan will recreate Buckley’s masterpiece, showcasing her own angelic vocals and emotional depth.
This performance is sure to evoke the raw, haunting beauty of Buckley’s music, with Noonan’s signature style bringing a new level of reverence and emotional resonance to Grace.
Rainbow Chan: The Bridal Lament – A Song Cycle Exploring Diasporic Experiences
Rainbow Chan brings The Bridal Lament to Sydney Festival 2025, a reimagining of an ancient ritual known as the bridal lament—a performance of grief where a bride weeps and sings in front of her community. Drawing on her Weitou ancestry, Chan explores themes of grief, memory, and the complexities of diasporic identity through a rich suite of songs, projections, and movement. Directed by Tessa Leong, The Bridal Lament is a visually stunning and emotionally charged performance that delves into the intersections of culture, history, and personal loss.
The Sydney Festival 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary celebration of human creativity and resilience. Whether you’re a fan of transformative theatre, electrifying music, or intimate personal stories, the festival offers something for everyone. With an impressive array of performances from both Australian and international artists, Sydney Festival 2025 promises to be a cultural feast that will resonate with audiences long after the final curtain falls.
Don’t miss out—mark your calendars, book your tickets, and prepare to immerse yourself in the vibrant, boundary-pushing world of the Sydney Festival 2025.
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