Flat Earthers: The Musical is a musical with a book and lyrics by Jean Tong and Lou Wall, and music by Wall and James Gales. It premiered at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on 17 October 2024. The production was a co-production between the Hayes Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company.
Premise Ria and Flick meet online and quickly develop a romantic connection. Their relationship is complicated when Flick reveals that she is a Flat Earth believer living in her parents' bunker. To maintain the relationship, Ria falsely claims that she shares Flick's beliefs.
Production Flat Earthers: The Musical began previews at the Hayes Theatre on 11 October 2024, before its official opening on 17 October 2024. The production ran until 9 November 2024.
Reception Flat Earthers: The Musical received mixed reviews from critics. Writing for The Guardian, Cassie Tongue described the production as "lightning-fast and slyly sweet" and praised its set design, lighting, video elements, and animation. However, she suggested that the show's structure would benefit from tighter editing, arguing that its emphasis on humour and musicality sometimes came at the expense of narrative resolution.
Suzy Wrong of Suzy Goes See was critical of the production's extensive use of video elements, writing that they made the show overly complicated and weakened its central themes. She nevertheless praised the portrayal of the romantic relationship between the two leads.
David Spicer of Stage Whispers similarly noted shortcomings in the musical's book.
Reviewing the production for ArtsHub, Helenna Barone-Peters acknowledged its intentionally exaggerated style but felt that the show would benefit from more grounded and emotionally authentic moments, arguing that some of its underlying themes were overshadowed by its eccentricity.
Musical numbers
Act I "Ultimate Debunker" – Ria, Heather Debunker, Bella Debunker, Lee Debunker, and Debunkers ensemble "Perfect Girl" – Ria and Flick "Ultimate Debunker (Reprise)" – Ria, Heather Debunker, Bella Debunker, and Lee Debunker "WTF (Welcome To Flat-Earth)" – Flick, Mum Freya, Ma Fiona, Frank, Felix, and Faith "Dumbest Girl" – Ria and Flick "Dark Web" – Ria, Flick, and conspiracists "Next Level" – Ria and Flat Earth ensemble "You Know" – Heather Debunker, Ria, Flick, Mum Freya, Ma Fiona, Frank, Felix, and Faith "Illuminati Parti" – Mz Prism, Jared, Jess, and Illuminati Parti ensemble
Act II "The End Is Nigh" – Ria, Flick, Mz Prism, Jared, Jess, and ensemble "Beyond The Edge" – Flick and Ria "WTF (Reprise)" – Flick "Leave The Bunker" – Flick, Frank, Felix, and Faith "Back To The Beginning" – Jared and Jess "Good Things Come In Threes" – Mz Prism and Illuminati Parti ensemble "Open Up" – Flick, Ria, Heather Debunker, Jared, Jess, Mz Prism, and ensemble "Turn & Face The World" – Ria, Flick, Mz Prism, Mum Freya, Ma Fiona, Jared, Jess, and Illuminati Parti ensemble "When The Parti's Over" – Ria and Flick "Perfect Girl (Reprise)" – Mz Prism, Mum Freya, and Ma Fiona "Turn & Face The World (Reprise)" – Ria, Flick, Mz Prism, Mum Fryea, Ma Fiona, Jared, Jess, and Illuminati Parti Ensemble
Principal cast Role Performer Mz Prism Michelle Brasier Ma Fiona Lena Cruz Flick Manali Datar Heather Milo Hartill Mum Freya Amanda McGregor Ria Shannen Alyce Quan Jessica ZarifOnstage swings Manon Gunderson-Briggs Mel O'Brien
Notes
References