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Sydney Theatre Company Sets November 2026 World Premiere for ‘Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical’

Auditions are underway as Farnham lends his consent to a stage retelling of his 1986 comeback.

Overview

  • Writer Jack Yabsley will create the book with STC artistic director Mitchell Butel directing in his first programmed season.
  • Producers Michael Cassel and Gaynor Wheatley are leading the project, drawing on the real-life gamble by the late Glenn Wheatley to fund the album.
  • The show charts Farnham’s turnaround from 1980 to 1986 and features his hits including “You’re the Voice” alongside songs of the era.
  • Whispering Jack remains Australia’s top-selling album by a local artist after 25 weeks at No. 1, a milestone central to the musical’s appeal.
  • Casting for the lead role is in progress, song licensing is underway, and single-ticket on-sale details will be announced for the Roslyn Packer Theatre premiere.