John Farnham Whispering Jack Musical Premieres Sydney 2026

The Sydney Theatre Company will premiere Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical in November 2026 to mark the 40th anniversary of Farnham's record-breaking 1986 album, Whispering Jack. Directed by STC artistic director Mitchell Butel and co-produced by Farnham’s manager Gaynor Wheatley and producer Michael Cassel, the musical tells the story of the five years that transformed Farnham from a struggling former teen idol into a national music icon. The show will feature hits from Whispering Jack, including "You're The Voice" and "Pressure Down," as well as other songs from Farnham's extensive catalogue. The musical explores the personal and creative challenges behind the album's creation, highlighting the support of Farnham’s wife Jill and manager Glenn Wheatley, who famously mortgaged his house to finance the album. Whispering Jack spent 25 weeks at number one and remains Australia's highest-selling local album, symbolizing Farnham's dramatic career resurgence in the mid-1980s. Auditions are underway, and the production is expected to tour beyond Sydney after its initial development season.