On Friday night Perth got to witness something extraordinary. The birth of a brand new Australian musical, Tivoli Lovely. It is the latest musical written by Eddie Perfect, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni and composer of Shane Warne – The Musical and Beetlejuice – The Musical.
The show transports us back to 1954. A time before television and the internet, when Australians were entertained by the Tivoli, a travelling variety troupe bringing joy, thrills and amusement to towns across the country.
Performed by WAAPA’s musical theatre students, this premiere is part of a commission through the Minderoo Foundation, and what a spectacular result it is.
Director Dean Bryant leads a cast of forty talented performers who fill the stage with energy, precision and heart. Their disciplined and dynamic performances bring the audience to its feet.
The set cleverly and seamlessly shifts between an aged care home in Gosnells and the front and backstage world of the Tivoli, creating a nostalgic and magical journey through time.
You could feel the joy radiating from the orchestra pit during the overture with musical director Zara Stanton leading a vibrant ensemble through a toe-tapping, heartfelt score.
From her first entrance, Zoe Davidson-Wall as Charlotte has the audience hooked. Her comic timing and one liners set the tone for a story that blends history, love, murder, and the irresistible sparkle of the Tivoli era.
Caroline McKenzie commands the stage as Old Kitty, weaving together the show’s emotional core as she recounts her life on the road. Her storytelling presence grounds the glitz with genuine feeling.
Sebastian Cruse delivers a powerful and charismatic performance as Daddy Kevin Watkins, leader of ‘The Eleven Kevins’. Together with Kimberley Rose as Bridget, the backstage rigger and Olivia Chatto as Harriet Miller they deliver one of the show’s many high-energy showstoppers.
A scheming, showbiz style number full of sass and wit as they plot several murders. The murders are cleverly staged with slow moving props and suspended actors depicting the demise of the characters.
Choreography by Kelley Abbey is tight, slick and full of old-school show flair, while Dann Barber’s costumes burst with colour, feathers and a distinctly Australian charm. It’s a shame the extravagant headpieces didn’t feature a little more as they are a visual treat.
Stephanie Graham as Young Kitty and Brendan Matthews as Christopher bring an innocent and touching chemistry to the stage. Their duets are heartfelt and beautifully performed. Christina Anastasiadis as Maggie belts out a rousing duet encouraging Kitty to release all her fears, seize the moment and become a star.
A number celebrating the ventures of Australia sees shearing clippers descend from the stage as cast members shear other members of the cast costumed as sheep. It is a hilarious scene that mimics the art of burlesque as they remove wool pieces from the sheep costumes.
Other standout moments include Anabel Jamieson’s delightfully cheeky Queen, Oscar Langmar’s exuberant call boy, and Hannah Chesser as Evelyn, “the girl with the smile,” who earns laughs through her facial comedy and charm.
Luke Barker, Tabi Kerlin and Sarah Watson bring life and personality to a series of puppet cutouts that include dogs and seals, with humour and charm.
Tivoli Lovely is clever, witty, and utterly charming. A celebration of a magical part of Australian entertainment history, wrapped in colour, humour, drama, murder, and love.
A triumph for Perfect and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Tivoli Lovely is proof that the next generation of Australian theatre talent is ready to take the stage by storm.
Tivoli Lovely is everything a musical should be. Full of show stopping numbers and large lavish dance productions performed and created by a talented, creative and vibrant cast and crew.
Tivoli Lovely
Heath Ledger Theatre – State Theatre Centre of WA, 176 William Street, Perth
Performance: Friday 7 November 2025
Season continues to 14 November 2025
Bookings: www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au
For more information, visit: www.waapa.ecu.edu.au for details.
Images: Tivoli Lovely – photos by Stephen Heath
Review: Craig Dalglish