COMING TO THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
An Exitleft Signature Presentation
May 27 – June 1
Branwell & the other Brontës
“Gentle Reader, right now I am back in our father’s parsonage in Haworth, hampered among the never-ending nothingness of the moors. I stand in a tiny nursery-study. A place where magic can occur.”
Branwell Brontë has always been desperate to keep up with his brilliant sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. As the Brontë women’s stars begin to rise, Branwell uses the familial gift of storytelling to lead his siblings into magical worlds and cushion some of the harsh realities of their real lives, including Branwell’s jealousy over his sisters’ success. But when the magic of their stories begins to fail, Branwell and his sisters must fight to keep destruction and loss from seeping into the real world.
At a time when women were seen and not heard, the idea of three young women from one family gaining fame through their extraordinary writing has seen the legacy of the Brontës inspire readers for nearly two hundred years. This fresh adaption by Stephen Kaplan ties together their poignant fantasy worlds with the reality as a family of struggling artists coping with fame, jealousy, loss and love pulling at the threads of their family bond.
FEATURING
The Brontë Siblings
Sasha Bennett as Charlotte Brontë
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
With a naturally joyous presence on stage and a love for the original texts, Sasha brings both experience and heart to the rehearsal room. Joining the cast of Branwell and the Other Brontës, after her work in Madagascar Jr earlier this year Sasha is excited to step into something new – and we’re just as excited to have them with us at The Playhouse Theatre.
Eliza Mudge as Emily Brontë
“I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free.”
Eliza, with her extensive theatre background and natural flair for the dramatic, captivates audiences with her versatility and infectious energy. Whether embodying the whimsical nature of Alice in Wonderland (2024) or bringing warmth to the iconic Marmee in Little Women (2025), Eliza thrives in roles that are as bold and unique as she is.
Sophie Johnson as Anne Brontë
“Although I maintain that if she were more perfect, she would be less interesting.”
You may remember her as Beth March Little Women (2025), Bert in Mary Poppins (2024) and King Arthur in Spamalot (2023)- but this May, she’s stepping into the shoes of Anne Brontë! Offstage, Sophie is known for her contagious energy and effortless wit, now she’s bringing that same charm to her portrayal of the beloved youngest Brontë sister.
Ollie Creese as Branwell Brontë
“I know only that it is time for me to be something when I am nothing.”
After their recent performances in Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2024) and The Wind in the Willows (2024), Ollie is bringing their fresh energy and undeniable talent back to Hobart this May. They’ll be stepping into the titular role of Branwell in Branwell and the Other Brontës – a character who’s far from ordinary.
Charlotte Wright as Maria Brontë
Audrey Young as Elizabeth Brontë
“We went to the Matinee performance last Sunday and it blew us away. Something I will never forget till I take my last breath. It was faultless. Love the story and yes the tears were flowing. I would go every day if I could afford it”
Phillip Toohey seeing Les Miserables at the Playhouse Theatre in 2019
Some of our Signature Presentations include
2024
Little Women
The timeless tale of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—created the perfect summer entertainment at the Playhouse Theatre, Hobart in 2024. Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel was brought to life with warmth, sincerity, and a vibrant new energy that captivated lovers of classic literature and resonated with audiences young and old.
Director Lily Ward
Starring Stella Wesseldine as Meg, Emily Hardie as Jo, Lucy Willis as Amy and Sophie Johnston/Eve Mclean as Beth.
Little Women Theatre Program
2019
2019
Les Misérables
In the summer of 2019, the epic storm that is Les Misérables thundered into Tasmania’s intimate 200-seat Playhouse Theatre for the very first time.
From the moment the lights dimmed, audiences were plunged into the heart of revolutionary France, swept away by a story pulsing with heartbreak and hope, unyielding passion, and the unrelenting fight for redemption. The walls of the Playhouse trembled with the emotional force unleashed by the extraordinary cast and live orchestra, capturing every note of broken dreams and cry of soaring defiance.
This unforgettable production didn’t just move hearts—it shattered box office records, leaving a legacy as bold and enduring as the story itself.
Director Chris Parker
Musical director Ian Williams
Starring Daniel Belle as Jean Valjean.
Les Mis Theatre Program
2012
The Sound of Music
In 2014, The Sound of Music came to life in a breathtaking theatrical spectacle at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. A charming ‘doll’s house’ style revolving set, exquisite period costumes, and the soaring power of a full thirty-piece orchestra swept audiences into the heart of this beloved family classic. Every moment was infused with nostalgia, wonder, and the timeless magic that has made this story a treasure for generations.
Director/Vocal Director Ian Williams
Director Darren Sangwell
Musical Director Les Johnston
Choreographer Casey McCrickard
Starring Chris Parker as Captain Von Trapp, Lisa Marie Parker as Elsa and John X as Max.
Sound of Music Theatre Program
2011
Carols by the Bay
ExitLeft partnered with the Hobart City Council and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra to produce the largest and most successful Carols by Candlelight event in Tasmania’s history. A huge cast and crew presented a night like no other to an audience of more than 16,000 at Sandown Park, Sandy Bay on December 18, 2011.
Director/Musical director Ian Williams
Orchestra Conductor Gary Wain
Starring Marina Prior, Rob Mills, Jack Vidgeon and Dorothy the Dinosaur.
2007
Cats
Tasmania had never seen anything like it. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical became most audacious and spectacular production the state has ever witnessed. The Derwent Entertainment Centre was unrecognisable—transformed into a colossal, otherworldly junkyard that immersed audiences in the wild, whimsical world of the Jellicle Cats.
With over 150 performers, a thunderous 250-voice choir, and a full live orchestra, this arena-sized event redefined what was possible in Tasmanian theatre. It didn’t just draw crowds—it smashed every box office record and set a new standard for theatrical excellence.
Artistic/Musical Director Ian Williams
Choreographer Jenina Evans
Associate Directors Robert Jarman & Darren Sangwell
Australian theatrical grand-dame Debra Byrne reprised her role as Grisabella.
Our 2025 Season
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