Shakespeare and a smash hit soundtrack collide at The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, as preparations for the 2026 in-house production of & JULIET kick off with the appointment of Queensland-based Director, Tim Hill.
Returning to direct his second production by The Empire, Mr Hill leads the way with the award-winning new musical featuring the iconic nineties and noughties music of Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin, which comes to life on stage from 13 – 22 March 2026.
“Who wouldn’t want to come back to the most beautiful theatre in the country? Directing Cinderella was such a joy, and I always hoped I’d get the chance to return. When & JULIET came up as the next project, the prospect became even more exciting,” said Mr Hill.
Known for his success with 2024’s classic fairytale comedy, Mr Hill said & JULIET represents an exciting new step in the evolution of musical theatre. “This production will have an unstoppable energy and heartbeat, powered by incredible performance, state-of-the-art technology and a cast of unique and diverse characters who thrive in their individuality,” said Mr Hill.
“I want the audience to step into a world and a story they already feel familiar with and then be continually surprised by how it transforms into something bold, fresh and utterly thrilling,” he said.
Mr Hill returns to The Empire after recent directorial credits including Chicago (Queensland College of Dance), Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along (Ad Astra Theatre Company) and taking on the role of Resident Director for The Woman in Black (Woodward Productions) starring Daniel MacPherson and John Waters, which premiered at The Empire in 2024 before touring the country.
As auditions approach, Mr Hill said he was looking for a cast who were deeply passionate about telling this story, with this production offering the chance to bring together a diverse range of performers with different skill sets. “I’d love to see trained musical theatre performers alongside pop singers and street dancers and everything in between,” he said.
Cast applications for & JULIET open Monday 15 September with an audition workshop to be held at The Empire on Saturday 11 October – prior to the closure of audition applications.
Led by Queensland Conservatorium alum and Australian & JULIET original cast member Jade Delmiguez, the workshop will provide guidance on delivering a strong audition, build confidence in vocal storytelling and educate on what casting teams are looking for.
For more information about & JULIET at The Empire, visit: www.empiretheatre.com.au for details.
Image: & JULIET (supplied)