Brisbane falls head over heels for Pretty Woman: The Musical
Brisbane falls head over heels for Pretty Woman: The Musical
Forget Rodeo Drive, QPAC is where the magic is happening, as a perfectly cast ensemble brings beloved rom-com Pretty Woman to life.
Forget Rodeo Drive, QPAC is where the magic is happening, as a perfectly cast ensemble brings beloved rom-com Pretty Woman to life.
P
retty Woman: The Musical has swept into Brisbane in sky-high heels and a burst of Hollywood magic, and I, for one, am ready to see it all over again.
retty Woman: The Musical has swept into Brisbane in sky-high heels and a burst of Hollywood magic, and I, for one, am ready to see it all over again.
Officially opening on Thursday night at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, the beloved 1990 rom-com has been given the full Broadway treatment.
Think glittering gowns, cheeky comedy, big-hearted romance and vocals that hit harder than a Rodeo Drive price tag.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the musical follows street-smart Hollywood sex worker Vivian Ward and uptight corporate raider Edward Lewis, whose chance encounter sparks an unlikely week-long fairytale that turns into something much deeper.
It is escapist, nostalgic and deliciously over the top, everything you want from a screen-to-stage adaptation.
Let’s start with the music.
I wasn’t familiar with the original score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, but by curtain call I was searching the soundtrack on Spotify faster than you can say “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
These songs are pure power-pop perfection. From Samantha Jade’s spine-tingling I Can’t Go Back to the sultry Latin rhythms of On A Night Like Tonight, every number hits the mark.
And yes, Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman makes an appearance.
Officially opening on Thursday night at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, the beloved 1990 rom-com has been given the full Broadway treatment.
Think glittering gowns, cheeky comedy, big-hearted romance and vocals that hit harder than a Rodeo Drive price tag.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the musical follows street-smart Hollywood sex worker Vivian Ward and uptight corporate raider Edward Lewis, whose chance encounter sparks an unlikely week-long fairytale that turns into something much deeper.
It is escapist, nostalgic and deliciously over the top, everything you want from a screen-to-stage adaptation.
Let’s start with the music.
I wasn’t familiar with the original score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, but by curtain call I was searching the soundtrack on Spotify faster than you can say “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
These songs are pure power-pop perfection. From Samantha Jade’s spine-tingling I Can’t Go Back to the sultry Latin rhythms of On A Night Like Tonight, every number hits the mark.
And yes, Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman makes an appearance.
Still from Pretty Woman: The Musical starring Samantha Jade, Ben Hall, Michelle Brasier and Tim Omaji, making its Australian debut at QPAC. Photo: Daniel Boud.
Samantha Jade shines as Vivian Ward. We already knew she could sing (The X Factor, tick), but this role fits her like a custom couture gown.
Living up to Julia Roberts’ iconic performance is no small feat, yet Jade manages to reinvent the character into something completely her own while keeping it warm and familiar.
Her American accent is impeccable, her comedic instincts sharp, and her stage presence utterly magnetic. She is Vivian in every sense of the word.
Every smile, every stumble and every moment of vulnerability feels genuine. She is an absolute knockout, and it is clear she has found her true calling on stage.
Ben Hall brings suave 90s energy as Edward Lewis, all slick charm and soft edges.
Samantha Jade shines as Vivian Ward. We already knew she could sing (The X Factor, tick), but this role fits her like a custom couture gown.
Living up to Julia Roberts’ iconic performance is no small feat, yet Jade manages to reinvent the character into something completely her own while keeping it warm and familiar.
Her American accent is impeccable, her comedic instincts sharp, and her stage presence utterly magnetic. She is Vivian in every sense of the word.
Every smile, every stumble and every moment of vulnerability feels genuine. She is an absolute knockout, and it is clear she has found her true calling on stage.
Ben Hall brings suave 90s energy as Edward Lewis, all slick charm and soft edges.
"Singing opposite Jade would intimidate most, but Hall more than holds his own."
"Singing opposite Jade would intimidate most, but Hall more than holds his own."
He has the voice, the presence and, let’s be honest, the looks to match. At one point, a woman in the audience clearly thought she was whispering to herself when she accidentally blurted out “damn” as Hall first appeared on stage. Relatable.
Tim Omaji, better known as Timomatic, is an unexpected MVP. Having become a household name after competing on So You Think You Can Dance and Australia’s Got Talent, his showmanship is no surprise, but his range here is something to behold.
With rich vocals, sharp comedic timing and effortless transitions, he lights up every scene. As the upbeat Happy Man and suave hotel manager Mr Thompson, he’s magnetic — singing, dancing and joking his way through with boundless energy. His charisma is infectious, his tango electric, and that number alone could earn him its very own standing ovation.
Michelle Brasier is an absolute force as Kit De Luca, Vivian’s best friend and fellow Hollywood hustler.
She’s brash, hilarious and full of heart, adding grit and depth to a story that could so easily have stayed surface-level.
Her powerhouse vocals and razor-sharp comedic timing give the production some of its biggest laughs, and most memorable moments.
Visually, the show is a dream. The sets evoke old-school Hollywood in a way the real place rarely does anymore, glossy, romantic and drenched in neon and nostalgia. As someone who visits LA often, this is the version of Hollywood I wish existed.
He has the voice, the presence and, let’s be honest, the looks to match. At one point, a woman in the audience clearly thought she was whispering to herself when she accidentally blurted out “damn” as Hall first appeared on stage. Relatable.
Tim Omaji, better known as Timomatic, is an unexpected MVP. Having become a household name after competing on So You Think You Can Dance and Australia’s Got Talent, his showmanship is no surprise, but his range here is something to behold.
With rich vocals, sharp comedic timing and effortless transitions, he lights up every scene. As the upbeat Happy Man and suave hotel manager Mr Thompson, he’s magnetic — singing, dancing and joking his way through with boundless energy. His charisma is infectious, his tango electric, and that number alone could earn him its very own standing ovation.
Michelle Brasier is an absolute force as Kit De Luca, Vivian’s best friend and fellow Hollywood hustler.
She’s brash, hilarious and full of heart, adding grit and depth to a story that could so easily have stayed surface-level.
Her powerhouse vocals and razor-sharp comedic timing give the production some of its biggest laughs, and most memorable moments.
Visually, the show is a dream. The sets evoke old-school Hollywood in a way the real place rarely does anymore, glossy, romantic and drenched in neon and nostalgia. As someone who visits LA often, this is the version of Hollywood I wish existed.
Still from Pretty Woman: The Musical starring Samantha Jade, Ben Hall, Michelle Brasier and Tim Omaji, making its Australian debut at QPAC. Photo: Daniel Boud.
The costumes are showstoppers, a parade of colour, texture and transformation that turns every scene into a mini fashion show.
Whether it’s latex or sequins, every outfit earns its place
From the thigh-high boots on Hollywood Boulevard to that iconic red ballgown, the metamorphosis from “hooker to high society” has never looked better. They pay faithful tribute to the film while feeling fresh, modern and entirely theatrical.
The costumes are showstoppers, a parade of colour, texture and transformation that turns every scene into a mini fashion show.
Whether it’s latex or sequins, every outfit earns its place
From the thigh-high boots on Hollywood Boulevard to that iconic red ballgown, the metamorphosis from “hooker to high society” has never looked better. They pay faithful tribute to the film while feeling fresh, modern and entirely theatrical.
The costumes are showstoppers, a parade of colour, texture and transformation that turns every scene into a mini fashion show.
Whether it’s latex or sequins, every outfit earns its place
From the thigh-high boots on Hollywood Boulevard to that iconic red ballgown, the metamorphosis from “hooker to high society” has never looked better. They pay faithful tribute to the film while feeling fresh, modern and entirely theatrical.
The costumes are showstoppers, a parade of colour, texture and transformation that turns every scene into a mini fashion show.
Whether it’s latex or sequins, every outfit earns its place
From the thigh-high boots on Hollywood Boulevard to that iconic red ballgown, the metamorphosis from “hooker to high society” has never looked better. They pay faithful tribute to the film while feeling fresh, modern and entirely theatrical.
BASED IN
Los Angeles
Available worldwide
© Georgia Clelland 2026
BASED IN
Los Angeles
Available worldwide
© Georgia Clelland 2026
BASED IN
Los Angeles
Available worldwide
© Georgia Clelland 2026