Bonny & Read: A New Musical

How harsh is life on the seas?

Pirates have always been bloodthirsty beasts, so what happens when you’re captured onto a pirate ship and forced to join the crew?

Bonny & Read is a new queer musical based on real female pirates of the 1700s. Mary Read is captured aboard a ship with a cut-throat female Captain Anne Bonny, sailing alongside Calico Jack. However, Mary must keep her identity hidden; disguised as “Mark” Read she must help them escape a feared Naval Captain hunting them down.

But what happens when Anne begins to fall for this mysterious “Mark” Read?

This new musical explores the themes of love, identity and finding your place in a world where you didn’t think you belonged.

Created by Emily Whiting and Aiden Smith

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Emily Whiting, Aiden Smith and Ben James

REVIEWS

“The songs are classy and clever. Melody, harmony and lyric meld brilliantly.” - Theatre Red (ARTSLAB Development Season 2024)

CREATIVE TEAM

Co-Producers: Emily Whiting & Aiden Smith

Director: Holly Mazzola

Choreographer: Lauren Mitchell 

Music Director: Iris Wu

Stage Manager: Matilda Holton

Assistant Producer: Charlotte Jones 

Production Designer: Geita Goarin

Lighting Designer: Luna Ng

Sound Designer: Sam Cheng

CAST

Mary Read: Gabi Lanham

Anne Bonny: Tori Bullard

'Calico' Jack Rackham: Jack Mitsch

Jonny: Percy Chiu

Pierre: Ben James

James Bonny: Max Fernandez

Ensemble/Swing (Mary): Alex Travers

Ensemble/Swing (Anne): Helen Jordan-Lane

Ensemble/Swing (Jack): Elliot Aitken

BAND

Guitar: Aaron Bonduriansky

Bass: Dominic Yeap-Holliday

Drums: Hayden Markham-Ball

Keys: Iris Wu

Violin: Alex Paterson

FEATURED SHOWS

On Saturday November 1 (1pm & 7pm), the role of 'Calico' Jack Rackham will be played by Elliot Aitken.

On Wednesday November 5 (7pm), the role of Mary Read will be played by Alex Travers. 

On Thursday November 6 (7pm), the role of Anne Bonny will be played by Helen Jordan. 

Friday October 31 (7pm) is our Youth Night! We invite all young artists and aspiring creatives to join us - meet the team and each other for a Q&A!

Tuesday November 4 (7pm) is our Folk Night! Come dressed in your best pirate cosplay and enjoy some live pre-show folk tunes!