The Lovers is not a film or TV soundtrack but the score to an Australian stage musical — a pop-infused reimagining of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by Laura Murphy. It was Bell Shakespeare’s first-ever musical, premiering at the Sydney Opera House in 2022. Below are the verified facts about the production and its music.
Quick Facts
| Type | Stage musical |
| Based on | A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare) |
| Music, lyrics & book | Laura Murphy |
| Director | Shaun Rennie |
| Premiere | Sydney Opera House, 23 Oct – 20 Nov 2022 |
| Presented by | Bell Shakespeare |
| Band | Live four-piece |
Music & Composer
Laura Murphy wrote the music, lyrics and adapted book for The Lovers, turning Shakespeare’s tangled forest romance into a contemporary pop musical. The original Sydney Opera House season was directed by Shaun Rennie and performed with a live four-piece band. The production was nominated at the 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards, including Best Production of a Musical.
Songs From the Production
No official cast recording or soundtrack album has been released, so a full track listing is not available. Songs identified from the staged production include:
- “A Story About Love”
- “Love and Pop and Shakespeare”
- “Perfect Little Princess”
- “Chasing My Tail”
Where to Hear It
Because no cast album exists yet, the score is best experienced live. Keep an eye on Bell Shakespeare for future seasons, and search Apple Music or Spotify in case a recording is released.
Original Cast
The 2022 premiere starred Natalie Abbott, Blake Appelqvist, Monique Sallé, Brittanie Shipway and Jerrod Smith, with The Voice finalist Stellar Perry making her musical-theatre debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the music for The Lovers?
Australian composer Laura Murphy wrote the music, lyrics and book for The Lovers, adapting Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream into a pop musical.
Is there a cast recording or soundtrack album?
As of now there is no official cast recording or soundtrack album for The Lovers. Songs were performed live during the stage season.
What is The Lovers based on?
It is a contemporary, pop-infused reimagining of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Where was The Lovers performed?
It premiered at the Sydney Opera House from 23 October to 20 November 2022, presented by Bell Shakespeare as the company’s first musical.
Who starred in the original production?
The cast included Natalie Abbott, Blake Appelqvist, Monique Salle, Brittanie Shipway, Jerrod Smith and Stellar Perry.
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