Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical
Mondays, 6:30pm to 8pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, 7:30pm to 9pm Friday 17 October to Saturday 15 November Saturday 25 October from 2pm to 3:30pm Thursday 30 October from 1pm to 2:30pm Saturday 1 November from 2pm to 3:30pm Thursday 6 November from 1pm to 2:30pm Saturday 8 November from 2pm to 3:30pm Thursday 13 November from 1pm to 2:30pm Saturday 15 November from 2pm to 3:30pm
*Matinee performances Saturdays 2pm and Thursdays 1pm *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
World premiere
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.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Steven Kramer | Directed by Sheridan Harbridge