Sydney Theatre Company has unveiled the full cast for “Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical,” which will make its world premiere in November.
Michael Paynter will take on the role of John Farnham, as previously announced, alongside Bonnie Anderson as Gaynor Wheatley and Ben Hall as Glenn Wheatley. Laura Murphy has now joined the production as Farnham’s wife, Jill.
The musical, written by Jack Yabsley and directed by Sydney Theatre Company’s artistic director Mitchell Butel, will trace the years leading up to the release of Farnham’s landmark 1986 album “Whispering Jack,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The story follows Farnham from performing at RSL clubs in the late 1970s through his stint with Little River Band and the career resurgence that culminated in “Whispering Jack” and its defining single, “You’re the Voice.” The album went on to become the highest-selling album by an Australian artist on the local charts.
Oliver Lacey has been cast as producer Ross Fraser, with Ariyan Sharma as David Hirschfelder, Elenoa Rokobaro as Venetta Fields, Tom Sharah as Darryl Sambell and Stephen Anderson as Little River Band’s Graeham Goble. Trent Owers will play the dual roles of Beeb Birtles and guitarist Brett Garsed.
Madeleine Jones will appear as Cherie Romaro, the 2Day FM radio executive whose backing of “You’re the Voice” – including an instruction to play the comeback single “on the hour, every hour” – helped fuel Farnham’s return to the top of Australian music.
Harry Targett will serve as the alternate performer for Farnham throughout the Sydney season, while Calista Nelmes, Chaya Ocampo and Anusha Thomas also join the cast. Shewit Belay, Clay Roberts and Andrew Waldin will appear as onstage swings.
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Yabsley is joined on the creative team by choreographer Fabian Aloise, music supervisor Carmel Dean and orchestrator Kris Kukul. Zara Stanton will serve as music director, with Jeremy Allen designing the set, Renée Mulder handling costumes, Matt Scott overseeing lighting and Julian Spink on sound design.
“Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical” will play a limited season at Sydney Theatre Company’s Roslyn Packer Theatre from November 15th, 2026, to January 3rd, 2027. Tickets are on sale now here.