FIVE years after COVID-19 disrupted lives and livelihoods, the arts sector continues to adapt, with Sunshine Coast-based Musical Theatre Australia (MTA) proving its resilience.
Following the 2024 tour postponement caused by co-creator Katy Forde’s battle with long COVID, MTA is finally bringing its award-winning musical, A Girl’s Guide to World War, to Queensland stages in March and April 2025.
The production, which celebrates trailblazing Australian doctors Lilian Cooper and Josephine Bedford, made history in 2019 by becoming the first regional musical to win the Matilda Award for Best New Australian Work. It also earned a Best Supporting Actress Matilda for Susie French.
“The risks of staging a show in a post-COVID world are higher,” said Ms Forde “But we’ve covered every contingency, and the show will definitely go on this year.”
The tour features local blues legend Vix Sheather as narrator and live music lead. “This show is about resilient women overcoming obstacles, and it inspires me to think creatively about surviving in today’s music industry,” Ms Sheather said.
Opening on International Women’s Day, March 8, the tour will travel to Caloundra, regional Queensland and Brisbane’s QPAC. Tickets for Caloundra performances on March 14 and 15 are available now at The Events Centre.