Bonny & Read: A New Musical
29 - 8 October 2025 at The Loading Dock
Review
How harsh is life on the seas?
Pirates have always been bloodthirsty beasts, so what happens when you’re captured onto a pirate ship and forced to join the crew?
Bonny & Read is a new queer musical based on real female pirates of the 1700s. Mary Read is captured aboard a ship with a cut-throat female Captain Anne Bonny, sailing alongside Calico Jack. However, Mary must keep her identity hidden; disguised as “Mark” Read she must help them escape a feared Naval Captain hunting them down.
But what happens when Anne begins to fall for this mysterious “Mark” Read?
This new musical explores the themes of love, identity and finding your place in a world where you didn’t think you belonged.
Created by Emily Whiting and Aiden Smith
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Emily Whiting, Aiden Smith and Ben James
CREATIVE TEAM
Co-Producers: Emily Whiting & Aiden Smith
Director: Holly Mazzola
Choreographer: Lauren Mitchell
Music Director: Iris Wu
Stage Manager: Matilda Holton
Assistant Producer: Charlotte Jones
Production Designer: Geita Goarin
Lighting Designer: Luna Ng
Sound Designer: Sam Cheng
CAST
Mary Read: Gabi Lanham
Anne Bonny: Tori Bullard
'Calico' Jack Rackham: Jack Mitsch
Jonny: Percy Chiu
Pierre: Ben James
James Bonny: Max Fernandez
Ensemble/Swing (Mary): Alex Travers
Ensemble/Swing (Anne): Helen Jordan-Lane
Ensemble/Swing (Jack): Elliot Aitken
BAND
Guitar: Aaron Bonduriansky
Bass: Dominic Yeap-Holliday
Drums: Hayden Markham-Ball
Keys: Iris Wu
Violin: Alex Paterson
FEATURED SHOWS
On Saturday November 1 (1pm & 7pm), the role of 'Calico' Jack Rackham was played by Elliot Aitken.
On Wednesday November 5 (7pm), the role of Mary Read was played by Alex Travers.
On Thursday November 6 (7pm), the role of Anne Bonny was played by Helen Jordan.
Friday October 31 (7pm) was Youth Night! All young artists and aspiring creatives were invited to meet the team and each other for a Q&A!
Tuesday November 4 (7pm) was Folk Night! The audience came dressed in their best pirate cosplay and enjoyed some live pre-show folk tunes!
