FUNNY GIRL Will Come to Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia Will Present
Olivia Sutton, Sarah Hamilton, and Sophie Stokes share the role of Fanny Brice at The Arts Theatre
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia will bring one of musical theatre's most iconic stories to the stage, when Funny Girl opens at The Arts Theatre from Thursday 28 May to Saturday 6 June 2026.
This classic Jule Styne and Bob Merrill musical follows Fanny Brice, a young woman from New York's Lower East Side who refuses to let anyone else define what a star looks like. What she lacks in conventional glamour, she makes up for in wit, talent, and fierce determination - rising from the vaudeville stage to the bright lights of Broadway's Ziegfeld Follies. But as her fame grows, her love for the charming and charismatic gambler Nick Arnstein is tested in ways she never anticipated.
Featuring beloved songs including People and Don't Rain on My Parade, it's a story about chasing your dreams, even when the world tells you you don't fit the mould.
The production will be directed by Amanda Rowe, with musical direction by Dylan Rufus, choreography by Kerry-Lynne Hauber. Supporting their creative vision is production manager Alicia McCluskey, with stage management by Leanne Cenzato. Bringing the bright lights of Broadway to life is set designer David Lampard.
The role of Fanny Brice is shared across three powerhouse performers - Olivia Sutton, Sarah Hamilton, and Sophie Stokes - each bringing a different chapter of Fanny's life to the stage. The charismatic ladies' man Nick Arnstein is played by Daniel Hamilton, supported by a strong ensemble cast including Carolyn Adams as Fanny's mother Mrs Brice, Thomas Sheldon as Eddie Ryan, David Kinsley as Florenz Ziegfeld, Wendy Rayner as Mrs Strakosh, and Nicholas Bishop as Tom Keeney.
Amanda Rowe, Director, said, “At its heart, Funny Girl is a story about resilience, ambition, and staying true to yourself in a world that constantly asks you to change. We’ve approached this production with a fresh interpretation, honouring its legacy while inviting audiences to connect with it in a new way. With its unforgettable score and a cast who bring immense warmth and energy to every moment, we hope audiences enjoy every second of Fanny’s story as much as we have.”
Megan Doherty, President of The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA, said, "The G&S Society board jumped at the opportunity to welcome Amanda Rowe and her team back to Adelaide's amateur stage with the long-awaited return of a true classic of American musical theatre - and in a format never before staged in Adelaide! What a way to showcase the abundance of extraordinarily talented Adelaide women who share the role of Fanny Brice.”
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