News

Reviews - A Chorus Line

Reviews of Free-Rain Theatre’s 2025 production of ‘A Chorus Line’ “The stunning solo, ‘The Music and the Mirror’, which (Heine has) devised for Ylaria Rogers to perform brilliantly as Cassie, the star dancer, is thrillingly staged and executed… There are many (other) fine performances in this production, far too many to mention individually. However, it’s […]

Broadway's game-changer comes to town for its golden anniversary

This article originally appeared in Her Canberra. Fifty years ago, a revolutionary musical changed Broadway forever. This spring, Canberrans get their chance to experience that same magic as Free-Rain Theatre Company brings A Chorus Line to The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. Opening Tuesday 30 September, this production celebrates both the musical’s golden anniversary and Free-Rain’s own 30-year milestone in […]

Dreams, struggles and triumphs take centre stage in A Chorus Line

This article by Vincent Samaras originally appeared in Canberra Daily. Few musicals have had the cultural impact of A Chorus Line. Since its 1975 Broadway debut, Michael Bennett’s concept musical has celebrated the hopes, fears and resilience of dancers fighting for a place on stage. Winning multiple Tony Awards, the Olivier Award and even the Pulitzer […]

Heart and emotion as the chorus dancers fall in line

This article by Helen Musa was originally published in Canberra City News A Chorus Line – that’s the theatre show about being in the theatre. For those who are in the showbiz clique, whether in Canberra or on the Great White Way in New York, it’s a kind of an “in” musical. It’s also quintessentially a dance […]

Reviews - Lend Me A Tenor

Below are reviews of our September 2025 production of Lend Me A Tenor “Under Clelland’s direction her accomplished cast captures the correct mood, creating well-rounded characterisations without losing the essential silliness necessary to engage the audience with the farcical situations. With this delightfully entertaining production of “Lend Me A Tenor” Free Rain Theatre have produced a […]

Auditions - & Juliet

Auditions will be held at Cook Community Hub, on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October.

Callbacks will be held on Sunday 26th October (by invitation).

Chaos, comedy and charm: Free-Rain Theatre's Lend Me a Tenor

“It’s a fun, fast-paced comedy with snappy dialogue and a lot of heart,” says actor Maxine Beaumont, who plays Maggie. “It’s very much a ‘go out for a laugh’ kind of show.”

Laugh out loud for Lend Me a Tenor

“It’s a lot of fun but it’s hard work… to make things look so chaotic it takes a lot of order in rehearsal and a high level of precision and rigour,” Beaumont says.

Casting - 'horses' Greek Chorus in Equus

Free-Rain is looking for some young performing artists aged 18 years plus, of any gender identity, for the roles of horses as the Greek Chorus in Equus. The horse is the primary symbol in Equus, and it represents: power, freedom, animal desire. Alan Strang’s worship of the horse-god Equus emphasizes the pure physicality of the […]

Casting Now- hunting for our 'Richie'

We are still hunting for our ‘Richie’.We are looking for a male identifying BIPOC dancer/singer/actor to play the supporting role of ‘Richie’ in our upcoming production of ‘A Chorus Line’ from 30 Sep – 19 Oct 2025. Richie is charismatic and athletic with infectious energy.He is funny, cool and laid back – very likeable.Tenor singing […]

Reviews - The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Compelling, memorable, impressive, excellent timing, impactful, strong, skilfully executed, focussed, satisfying, tight, hard-hitting, engaging, well-acted, highly commendable, notable, excellent production.

Supplementary Auditions - Lend Me a Tenor

We are holding supplementary auditions for ‘Lend Me a Tenor’, on stage from 17 – 27 Sept. Extra audition on Sat 7 June.
We are auditioning specifically for the roles of:
– Maggie (20s)
– Tito (famous tenor 35-45)
– Diana (sexy soprano 30-40)

Reviews - Sweet Charity

INNOVATIVE. MEMORABLE. EXCEPTIONAL.
The reviews are in, and Sweet Charity is a hit!

Sweet Charity brings Broadway magic to town with local talent - Her Canberra

Her Canberra talks to Joel Horwood about Sweet Charity.

Sweet Amy's been dreaming of playing Charity - CityNews

Amy Orman, who plays Charity says It’s a dream role of mine. I’ve been singing ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ since I was a kid, though I didn’t understand what it meant.”

Casting call for open roles in 2 Free-Rain shows

Free-Rain Theatre Company have announced the very talented casts for their three shows on at ACT Hub in 2025. Excitingly, there are still a few roles yet to be cast, so if you’re keen to tread the boards with the amazing talent already cast, we’d love you to send your expression of interest (EOI) to freeraintheatre@gmail.com as […]

Cast announcement - Equus

Equus by Peter Shaffer is an electric play about passion and worship. Equus is very confronting and sets out to shock, excite and captivate its audience. It is an exploration of the human condition with its confusions, paradoxes and unanswerable questions, blending the naturalistic with the surreal. Free-Rain Theatre Company are thrilled to announce the […]

Cast announcement - Lend Me a Tenor

Lend Me a Tenor is a classic farce with the usual menu of silly situations, mistaken identities, mistakes, mishaps, miscommunication, misperception, misconception… It is a delicious piece of nonsense that charges at full speed towards resolution. Free-Rain Theatre Company are delighted to announce the marvelous members of our cast for this fabulous frivolity. CAST: For those roles […]

Cast announcement - The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Living an isolated rural life in Connemara, west Ireland, Maureen’s one chance at a romantic relationship is thwarted by the spiteful machinations of her mother, Mag. The Beauty Queen of Leenane examines the despair, spite and malevolence of people living hopeless lives, presented in a way that is funny, sad, violent, and ultimately riveting. Free-Rain […]

Auditions - A Chorus Line

What an iconic show! ‘A Chorus Line’ holds a special place in everyone’s music theatre notebook. It is a triple-threat dream to play one of the characters. Free-Rain is delighted to inform auditionees that it is the Creatives’ decision to double-cast some of the key roles, which gives more artists a chance to strut their […]

Cast announcement - Sweet Charity

The Fandango Ballroom is proud to announce the full cast of SWEET CHARITY. Come and spend a little time with us! We’ll be on stage at The Q from 29 April to 18 May 2025. Charity and Nickie are dancing for joy, because the full cast of Sweet Charity is here! The cast are already […]

Callback, Videos & EOIs for Free-Rain's Season 2025 at ACT Hub

Callbacks for Beauty Queen and Lend Me a Tenor will be held on Saturday 18th January at Cook. New auditionees are asked to send an EOI. For Equus, new auditionees are asked to send an EOI.

Two awards at the 2024 Canberra Critics Circle Awards

We were delighted to receive a 2024 Canberra Critics Circle award in the category of Musical Theatre for our “exuberant production of this demanding musical” – Billy Elliot, The Musical, and to Amy Kowalczuk for her “incisive, sensitive and powerful performance as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.”.

Auditions - Open Casting Call for Free-Rain's 2025 Season of plays at ACT Hub

Free-Rain Theatre Company will be staging 3 (three) productions at ACT Hub in 2025. We have two dramas and one comedy to cast. Together with the two other companies in the ACT Hub collective, there will be 10 plays staged at ACT Hub in 2025. Date, Time & Location Free-Rain Theatre Company will be holding […]

Review - The Boy from Oz, That Guy Who Watches Canberra Theatre

“Jared Newell is a singing-dancing-acting frenzy as Peter, delivering Allen’s personality and simultaneously self-agrandizing-and-self-effacing style delightfully as he drops one-liners, sings up a storm and throws his leg over a piano just like a Peter Allen should.” – That Guy Who Watches Canberra Theatre

Review - The Boy from Oz, Len Power, Canberra Critics Circle

“The performer who plays the marathon role of Peter Allen must have charisma, energy and strong vocal ability. Free-Rain Theatre Company made a fine choice in casting Jared Newall in the role. His high energy performance, acting ability and fine singing capture the essence of Allen the man and performer” – Len Power, Canberra Critics Circle

Review - The Boy from Oz, Stage Whispers

“Free-Rain’s The Boy from Oz is uplifting, moving and a riot. What more could you ask for?” – Cathy Bannister, Stage Whispers

Review - A dazzling tribute: The Boy from Oz lights up The Q theatre

“If you love musicals, Australian pop music history, or just want a fun and uplifting night at the theatre, The Boy From Oz is not to be missed.” ~ FUSE Magazine, David Blanco

The Boy from Oz, a dazzling tribute takes stage at The Q

Canberra Weekly. This highly anticipated musical is not just a performance but a vibrant celebration of Peter Allen’s extraordinary life and career.

The Boy from Oz hits The Q Theatre

Her Canberra. Peter Allen would have been 80 this year and there is a huge amount of Australian culture and nostalgia that has been woven into the show, through the costumes and props, script and songs.