The Empire Announces the Talented Young Cast of Its Hit 2026 Musical, & Juliet
An all-singing, all-dancing, all-star cast of more than two dozen young performers will bring the worldwide smash-hit musical, & JULIET, to Toowoomba’s esteemed Empire Theatre in 2026.
Following an intense audition process that drew interest from performers across Australia, The Empire has revealed the talented cast that will fill the production’s eight key roles and 17-strong ensemble when & JULIET takes to the stage from 13 to 22 March 2026.
The global phenomenon turns Shakespeare’s classic tragedy on its head, posing the question: “What if Juliet’s story didn’t end with Romeo?”
& JULIET takes the action from fair Verona and transplants it firmly into the colourful, nostalgic 1990s and 2000s, serving up feel-good escapism and pop-fuelled theatre.
The catchy soundtrack is back-to-back pop bangers with more than 30 reimagined hits, including Since U Been Gone, Larger Than Life, …Baby One More Time, I Want It That Way, Roar, It’s Gonna Be Me, It’s My Life and That’s The Way It Is.
Director Tim Hill said the incredible soundtrack was one of the production’s biggest drawcards.
“I’ve been neck-deep in late ‘90s and early 2000s pop to prepare and loving every second of it!” he said.
The dynamic young cast includes four graduates from the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre and Mr Hill said audiences would be drawn to their fresh, relatable performances.
“Our audition process was demanding and I was really impressed by the calibre of performers who blew us away with their vocal power, humour and high-voltage pop performances."
Tim Hill - & JULIET Director
“& JULIET is a bright and bold production that celebrates second chances and champions the belief that we can all write our own ending.”
& JULIET is a homecoming for Kate Hudson-James, a recent Griffith Conservatorium Bachelor of Musical Theatre graduate and former Toowoomba resident, who makes her professional debut in the titular role.
“The Empire Theatre is my home. Mamma Mia! in 2020 and We Will Rock You in 2022 were two life-altering shows that gave me the confidence to pursue this field,” Ms Hudson-James said.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to come back home and take my first professional steps on the same boards that saw my baby steps.
“I am excited to play Juliet because she is a contradiction – annoying and inspiring, whiny and motivated, needy and independent. I am curious about exploring what it takes to play her truthfully.”
Rounding out the cast are Claire Sutton (Anne), Chris Thomson (Shakespeare), Luca Byth (May), Orlando Vella (Francois), Nicholas Doyle (Lance), Meg MacKenzie (Angelique) and Lachlan Dodd (Romeo) as well as an 17-member ensemble cast.
Joining the creative team alongside Mr Hill is Choreographer Tess Hill (Cinderella), Set Designer Frances Story (Come From Away) and acclaimed Music Supervisor Luke Kennedy.
Mr Hill returns to The Empire after directing Chicago (Queensland College of Dance), Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along (Ad Astra Theatre Company) and as Resident Director for The Woman in Black (Woodward Productions) starring Daniel MacPherson and John Waters, which premiered at The Empire in 2024 before touring the country.
& JULIET performs 13 – 22 March 2026 in the Empire Theatre’s stunning 1,500-seat auditorium.
Tickets are now on sale from The Empire on 1300 655 299 or empiretheatre.com.au.
#What’s New
The Empire Foundation has once again demonstrated its dedication to nurturing the next generation of performers, presenting the 2025 Youth Bursaries to outstanding young artists from across the region.
The Empire’s annual school holiday event, THRIVE Festival, has wrapped for 2025 with a record-breaking 5,127 people attending the four-day celebration of creativity, play and storytelling.
Shakespeare and a smash hit soundtrack collide at The Empire as preparations for the 2026 in-house production of & JULIET kick off with the appointment of Queensland-based Director, Tim Hill.
The Empire’s popular school holiday event, THRIVE Festival, is set to return from September 25-28, this year plunging beneath the waves and celebrating the wonders of the ocean.
Following the incredible success of 2024’s Come From Away, The Empire is thrilled to announce the next in-house mainstage production, award-winning smash-hit coming of age jukebox musical, & JULIET.
The Empire Foundation’s commitment to the development of young artists in the region continues with the opening of applications for The Empire Foundation 2025 Youth Bursaries.
