Mikelangelo - In the Belly of the Whale

Michael Simic is juggling life on the road and home life with his wife and their two young kids. Struggling to cope, his anger rises and he finds himself having to confront his complicated relationship with his own father.
Meanwhile, Simic’s alter-ego, the charming and roguish troubadour Mikelangelo, sets off on an ocean adventure, bringing the audience along as his steadfast crew. His mythical journey entwines with Simic’s conflicted reality, until the two come face to face in the belly of a whale and all is revealed.
This is a Jekyll and Hyde tale turned upside down, with the alter-ego helping his creator become the man he truly wants to be. Blending songs and storytelling in a funny, vulnerable and brave voyage into the deep waters of fatherhood.
2025 Canberra Artist of the Year, Michael Simic is a seasoned creator and collaborator. He’s known for wide ranging projects, including long-term group Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, and his role in the Olivier-award winning international hit La Clique. With sold out headline shows from the Sydney Opera House to London's West End, Simic has garnered accolades and a dedicated following for his original work.
In the Belly of the Whale was directed by Tracy Bourne, who has worked extensively in music and theatre in Australia, including productions with Chamber Made Opera, Melbourne International Festival and the ABC. She also teaches Music Theatre at VCA.
This production has been supported by the Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works program and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, where the show debuted with a sell-out season in February 2025.