Australia’s theatre scene is set to honour one of the nation’s most loved voices. A new stage musical that follows John Farnham’s comeback between 1980 and 1986 is in development and is scheduled for a 2026 premiere to mark the fortieth anniversary of Whispering Jack.
In the early eighties Farnham faced dwindling record sales, a brief stint with Little River Band and lingering memories of his 1967 pop hit Sadie (The Cleaning Lady). Everything changed in October 1986 when he released Whispering Jack. The album spent twenty five weeks at number one and has sold more than 1.7 million copies, making it the highest selling Australian studio album by an Australian artist.
The musical is being produced by Farnham’s long time manager Gaynor Wheatley and Broadway experienced producer Michael Cassel. After several script workshops the show has shifted from an earlier fictional storyline to a biographical narrative focused on the six years that led to the breakthrough album. Audience favourites such as You’re the Voice, Pressure Down and A Touch of Paradise drive the plot, which also highlights manager Glenn Wheatley’s decision to mortgage his home to finance the recording.
Writers and directors with credits on Frozen, Mary Poppins and The Lion King are attached to the project, and creative workshops are already in progress in Melbourne. Producers hope to open in 2026 before touring to Sydney, Brisbane and regional centres. Casting announcements are expected next year.
Farnham published his memoir The Voice Inside in 2024. After major surgery in 2022 he was declared cancer free. Earlier this month he welcomed his first grandchild, a personal milestone that the musical aims to acknowledge in its closing scenes.
The production blends a rousing jukebox score with a distinctly Australian comeback story, showing the risks artists and managers face when industry confidence fades. For theatre goers and music fans it offers a chance to relive a defining era of Australian pop history on stage.
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