Phar Lap (musical)

Phar Lap
The Electro-Swing Musical
Music	Steven Kramer
Lyrics	Steven Kramer
Book	Steven Kramer
Premiere	17 October 2025: Hayes Theatre, Sydney

Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Steven Kramer. The one-act musical premiered at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney on 17 October 2025. It is a satirical telling of the life of the racehorse Phar Lap, and features electro swing music.

Premise

In a pseudo-coming-of-age story, Phar Lap is bought by American businessman David Davis, on the advice of trainer Harry Telford, based purely on his pedigree. As Telford begins to train Phar Lap to be a racehorse, they begin to experience a father-son-like relationship; Telford teaches Phar Lap how to have autonomy and find his identity, whilst Phar Lap teaches Telford about the importance of caring and having heart. ^[1]

Productions

A workshop production occurred in 2023, with Joel Granger as Phar Lap leading a cast of seven. ^[2]

The fully-staged original production premiered at the Hayes Theatre on 17 October 2025. It was directed by Sheridan Harbridge, who was with the musical since early in development, and choreographed by Ellen Simpson. The cast includes Joel Granger as Phar Lap, Justin Smith as Harry Telford, Nat Jobe as David Davis and Phar Lap's alternate jockey, Lincoln Elliott as Nightmarch, Donald Bradman and Andy the bookie, Shay Debney as Jim Pike, Manon Gunderson-Briggs as the announcer, and Amy March as Madame X. ^{[3] [4]}

Reception

The musical was well-received, with critics pointing to the relationship between Phar Lap and trainer Harry Telford as the main throughline of the show. ^[3] Cassie Tongue of The Guardian highlighted the "witty score", describing the music as "irresistibly bright, catchy, and peppered with laugh-out-loud references", and characterising its "throwback melodies [as] bouncy, fresh and fun". ^[5]

Musical numbers

• "The Race That Stops the Nation" – Announcer & Company
• "Next Biggest Thing" – Phar Lap
• "Horse Power" – Harry Telford, Phar Lap & Company
• "Ride You" – Jim Pike & Company
• "What are the Odds" – Announcer, Andy & Bookie
• "We'll Stick Together Like Glue" – Harry & Phar Lap
• "National Treasure" – Donald Bradman & Company
• "We'll Reprise Together" – Harry
• "Good As Gold" – Announcer & Company
• "Gimme That Sugar" – Announcer, Nightmarch & Phar Lap
• "What Stops a Nation?" – Phar Lap
• "Race To The Finish" – Company
• "Heart" – Harry and company

Principal cast

Role	Performer
Jim Pike	Shay Debney
Nightmarch	Lincoln Elliott
Phar Lap	Joel Granger
Announcer	Manon Gunderson-Briggs
Madame X	Amy Hack
David Davis	Nat Jobe
Harry Telford	Justin Smith
Swing	Joey Phyland

References

1. Story, Hannah (30 October 2025). "Two Phar Lap musicals open in Australia, on eve of the famous racehorse's 100th birthday". ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 31 October 2025.
2. Elphick, Nicole (27 September 2025). "'A really stupid and fun idea': There's a Phar Lap musical, and it's not horsing around". Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
3. Moyle, John (28 October 2025). "Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical". Australian Arts Review. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
4. Litson, Jo (24 October 2025). "Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical (Hayes Theatre Co)". Limelight . Sydney: Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
5. Tongue, Cassie (30 October 2025). "Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical review – pacy tale has wit, humour and enormous heart". The Guardian . Guardian Media Group . Retrieved 31 October 2025.