Location: TEATRO at the Italian Forum, 30A Norton St, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW 2040
Dates: 11 November, 2025
Cost:$69 Buy Tickets
Bold, magnetic, and unapologetically entertaining, John O’Hara brings his signature wit, powerhouse voice, and charisma to That’s Not Your Light, John! An intimate and hilarious evening of music and storytelling from one of Australia’s most versatile leading men.
O’Hara’s remarkable career spans over two decades across stage, screen, and radio. He has starred in major musicals, including Wicked, Tina- The Tina Turner Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, School of Rock, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Cats, Singin’ in the Rain, and the Australian anniversary production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Internationally, he has performed in the South African production of Jesus Christ Superstar and toured extensively with Rock Rhapsody, the internationally acclaimed Queen tribute act.
A seasoned cabaret artist, John has written and performed a string of acclaimed solo shows that have earned five-star reviews and sold-out seasons at festivals and venues across the country. He also works regularly as a radio presenter for ABC, and in 2020, he creatively directed the Crown Christmas Spectacular at Perth’s Crown Theatre.
Having also appeared in productions of Oklahoma! Titanic, The Boy from Oz, Grease, Cinderella, and Peter Pan, and as a soloist with the Victorian Opera, O’Hara continues to prove himself as one of Australia’s most dynamic and in-demand performers.
CABARET COMES TO TEATRO SYDNEY’S NEWEST PERFORMANCE HUB LAUNCHES WITH A STAR-STUDDED SEASON
Sydney’s newest theatre, TEATRO at the Italian Forum, will swing open its doors this November with a glittering new series, Cabaret at TEATRO, an unmissable celebration of song, storytelling, and Australia’s top musical talent.
Presented by Gale Edwards AM and Max Lambert AM in association with On Your Feet Productions and Teatro will see some of Australia’s most acclaimed performers take to the stage in a series of one-night-only concerts.
The season builds on the growing success of Teatro at the Italian Forum, cementing its place as one of Sydney’s most exciting new venues for performing arts.
This strictly limited season promises to be a standout addition to Sydney’s theatre calendar. Book early atwww.teatroitalianforum.com.au to avoid missing out.
At the helm of the season are two icons of Australian theatre:
Gale Edwards AM – Director
Gale Edwards is one of Australia’s most acclaimed and internationally recognised theatre directors, with a career spanning more than four decades across theatre, musical theatre, and opera.
She has served as Associate Director for both the State Theatre Company of South Australia and the Melbourne Theatre Company, and has directed extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company (UK), Opera Australia, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington D.C.).
A trailblazer in her field, Gale is the first and only Australian to direct on the main stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, and the first Australian director to open a musical on both London’s West End and Broadway. Her work on the 1996 London revival of Jesus Christ Superstar which later opened at Broadway’s Ford Center for the Performing Arts earned her an Emmy Award for the televised production. She also directed the West End premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind and the world premiere of The Boy From Oz.
For Opera Australia, she has directed acclaimed productions of Aida (2015), La Bohème (2016–2023), Carmen (2017), and Salome (2019).
Among her many honours, Gale has received three Sydney Critics’ Circle Awards, four Green Room Awards (including Best Direction of a Musical for Chess), two Helpmann Awards (The Boy from Oz and Sweeney Todd), two Mo Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre, and two Helen Hayes Award nominations (Washington D.C.). In 2000 she received the Centenary Medal for Service to Australian Society, and in 2017 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contributions to the performing arts.
Among her many honours, Gale has received three Sydney Critics’ Circle Awards, four Green Room Awards (including Best Direction of a Musical for Chess), two Helpmann Awards (The Boy from Oz and Sweeney Todd), two Mo Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre, and two Helen Hayes Award nominations (Washington D.C.). In 2000 she received the Centenary Medal for Service to Australian Society, and in 2017 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contributions to the performing arts.
Max Lambert AM – Musical Director & Composer
Max Lambert is one of Australia’s most accomplished composers, arrangers, and musical directors, with a distinguished career spanning theatre, dance, film, and large-scale international events.
He has worked extensively with leading Australian companies, including the Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Dance Company, and The Australian Ballet.
Max was the Musical Director for the original production of The Boy from Oz, earning the Helpmann Award for Best Musical Direction in 2001. He has since served as Musical Supervisor for major stage productions such as Hairspray, Fame, King Kong Live, and Strictly Ballroom The Musical. As a composer, his acclaimed works include Berlin (with Iva Davies, for Sydney Dance Company), Miracle City (Sydney Theatre Company), Darlinghurst Nights, Ladies Day, Letters to Lindy, The Literati, Diving for Pearls, and Hot Shoe Shuffle, the latter of which he co-wrote.
In addition to his theatrical work, Max has contributed to film and large-scale live events, serving as Musical Director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the 2002 Commonwealth Games (Manchester), and the 2006 Asian Games (Doha), as well as Music Supervisor for Expo 2020 Dubai (UAE). His film credits include Happy Feet and The Last Days of Chez Nous.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Australian music and the performing arts, Max Lambert was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2024 Australia Day Honours.
About the Performers:
The Cabaret at Teatro season features a hand-picked lineup of Australia’s most celebrated stage talents, each bringing their unique artistry, voice, and story to the Teatro stage.
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