WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Sheridan Harbridge
Hold your horses – this isn’t your average musical biopic. Phar Lap gallops onto the stage with a raucous mix of absurdist humour, electro-swing flair, and big-hearted Aussie spirit. Forget the lavish puppetry and dazzling special effects – this production trades spectacle for sheer imagination. One actor slips on tap shoes instead of horseshoes to bring Australia’s most legendary racehorse to life, and the result is pure theatrical magic.
At its heart, Phar Lap is a rags-to-riches tale about an awkward, gangly horse from New Zealand and his hapless, down-on-his-luck trainer. Together, they defy the odds to chase Melbourne Cup glory — and the nation’s heart. Along the way, they face gambling scandals, double-crosses, an attempted shooting, and even a sugar addiction (yes, really). It’s high stakes, high drama, and surprisingly true to history.
Fuelled by a brassy, toe-tapping electro-swing score inspired by everyone from Duke Ellington to Daft Punk, Phar Lap blends old-school showmanship with a contemporary pulse. The music leaps from the racetrack to the dance floor, delivering infectious energy that’s impossible to resist.
So pop the champagne, saddle up, and get ready for a wild ride — Phar Lap is off and racing!