Old Friends Sing Sondheim: A Celebration of Musical Theatre

Old Friends Sing Sondheim Mark Bev and RupertThis October and November, the highly anticipated cabaret show Old Friends Sing Sondheim will take to the stage in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Old Friends Sing Sondheim features comedy icon Mark Trevorrow (aka Bob Downe), NIDA and Conservatorium of Music-trained Rupert Noffs (and grandson of Wayside Chapel founder, Rev Ted Noffs) and ARIA award-nominated Music Director, Bev Kennedy.

This extraordinary evening of music and laughter will showcase beloved songs from iconic shows such as Into the WoodsSweeney Todd and West Side Story, through a mix of solos, duets, mashups, and medleys.

As the show prepares for its national tour, it also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Bob Downe, highlighting Mark Trevorrow’s trailblazing contributions to the LGBTQ community. This collaboration not only celebrates the legacy of Sondheim’s music but also the enduring friendships that have formed through the world of theatre.

Having previously delighted audiences with sold-out performances at the Brunswick Picture House and featured at the 2023 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the Old Friends Sing Sondheim tour will launch in Sydney, followed by stops in Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, allowing audiences across Australia to experience this heartfelt celebration of friendship and musical theatre.

The upcoming shows in Sydney hold particular poignancy, as they will be among the last performances at Claire’s Kitchen, a beloved venue that has been an incredible space for performers and artists for many years before its closure.


Old Friends Sing Sondheim will play Claire’s Kitchen, Sydney (30 October), Flamingo’s Live, Newcastle (2 November), Brisbane Powerhouse (7 – 9 November) and National Theatre, St Kilda (16 November). For more information, visit: www.bobdowne.com for details.

Image: Mark Trevorrow, Bev Kennedy and Rupert Noffs star in Old Friends Sing Sondheim (supplied)