Qtopia Sydney, the largest Centre for Queer history and culture in the world, is gearing up to present its second season of Pride Fest from 1 – 30 June.
The month-long festival will feature more than 400 artists across 150+ events, including drag, theatre, comedy, cabaret, live podcasts, exhibitions and workshops, there’s something on every night and something for everyone.
Audiences can expect everything from late-night interactive cabaret shows, community panels and draw-and-sip sessions with a drag queen, to intimate documentary showings, Mardi Gras float making workshops and reflections from the original 1978 Mardi Gras protestors.
“We’ve packed June to the brim,” said Artistic Director Carly Fisher. “Since last year’s festival, I’ve travelled across Australia and to Edinburgh, scouting standout acts. To now welcome them into the Qtopia Sydney family is a great honour. With up to five shows a night, all with different vibes, this is a month that invites everyone in.”
Highlights of Qtopia Sydney’s Pride Fest Program include:
Daddy, Don’t Drop the Soap!
The Loading Dock Theatre: 2 – 6 June
From crazy nights at Sydney’s infamous Taxi Club to stories about cruising, gar bars and sweaty bathhouses and darkrooms to the political clout of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, this is a celebration of queer culture at its best and the ongoing importance of Gay Pride and especially the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. DADDY remains committed to ageing disgracefully and live by his motto: You are never too old to take a pill and dance on a podium in a jockstrap.’ Directed by Adam Cook, Daddy, Don’t Drop the Soap! stars Brent Thorpe as Daddy, and features Travis De Jonk and Patrick Phillips as Daddy’s Boys.
Trough Man: Tours of the Underground
Qtopia Sydney: 4, 11, 18 & 25 June
Join the iconic Trough Man, Barry Charles, as he leads you on tour of Qtopia Sydney’s 18+ exhibition, The Underground. Inspired by the site of the public toilet block at Taylor Square, The Underground charts a history of cruising and Queer sex in Sydney during the 1980s and 1990s. This is a free event, but bookings are essential.
That’s The Way The Mop Flaps
The Loading Dock Theatre: 5 & 6 June
Award-winning comedian, acclaimed lesbian and internet pest Hannah Malarski is back! After three sold out seasons of her 2024 show Big Dyke Energy, Hannah is returning with a brand new shit hot variety hour. That’s The Way The Mop Flaps is a fresh hour of original musical comedy, razor-sharp satire and delectable sketch. It will probably blow your pants off, so bring a spare. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Limited run only!
A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride
The Loading Dock Theatre: 7 – 8 June
A joyous homage to resilience, fabulousness, and the enduring power of music. Get ready to sing along to a nostalgic journey through the rich history of queer music; honouring the hit-makers who sparked historic change with their unforgettable anthems. Featuring timeless hits from Madonna, Garland, Elton, Dolly, Gaga, Cole, Diana, Benatar, Freddie, and many more!
Cherry
The Loading Dock Theatre: 8 June
On a cloud of cotton candy, Cherry takes you on an intimate, bubblegum, pop journey from fangirl Sarah’s awkward teenager years, to discovering the power of Katy Perry’s music, to ultimately becoming a confident, bisexual woman, and on the way invites each one of us to embrace who we fully are. Cherry hilariously and insightfully celebrates the power of music to transform and enlighten in this one woman’s thank you card to her idol. Created and performed by Sarah Carroll.
I Wanna Be Mark Wahlberg
The Substation: 9 – 10 June
I want to be a strong and unquestioned leader. I want to be the assumed first string of my touch team and while I’m there, I want to ‘one up’ the boys. I want to be uncompromising, but entirely forgiven because of my exuberant charisma. I want to kick around the house in my boxer shorts while I sip on a cup of strong dark-roast coffee (and pretend it tastes exactly how I like it). I want to take my whiskey neat and my marriage on the rocks (to justify my affairs). I want to be the hero and feel proud. I want to be the villain and feel proud. I Wanna Be Mark Wahlberg. Directed by May Tran. Created and Performed by Melody Rachel.
Queer Mapping with Jeremy Smith
Qtopia Sydney: 14 June
Join artist, curator, and PhD candidate Jeremy Smith for an engaging workshop on queer counter-mapping. In this hands-on session, participants will learn how maps can be powerful tools for representing and reclaiming queer histories, identities, and spaces. Through guided exercises, Jeremy will introduce the concept of counter-mapping, which involves creating alternative maps that challenge dominant narratives and highlight marginalised experiences. The workshop will encourage reflection on the intersections of time, place, body, and mind, inviting participants to create their own personal counter-maps that reflect their unique queer experiences.
Skank Sinatra
The Loading Dock Theatre: 14 – 22 June
Winner of Best Cabaret at Adelaide Fringe this powerhouse diva belts, banters, and bedazzles with her electrifying live-vocals, international glamour and show stopping big-band bangers, reinventing Sinatra with spicy, modern twists! With her razor-sharp wit, explosive stage presence and jaw-dropping costumes Skank Sinatra unveils her whirlwind journey from the smokey jazz clubs of New York to the flamboyant streets of Sydney, from the underground cabarets of Berlin to the savannas of South Africa. For a late-night cocktail of queer cabaret chaos, check out Dirty Martini featuring a splash of Sydney’s finest talent!
Piano Bar with Jacqui Randa
The Loading Dock Theatre: 19 June
Join Qtopia Sydney for a night of sing-a-longs and stories with World Class Musician and Funny Gal, Jacqui Randa! From Britney, to Billy Joel, Disney to Cold Chisel, Jacqui has you sorted. You, the audience, get to the power to decide how the night goes down so bring your voice and a fabulous frock for Piano Bar with Jacqui Randa! Catch Jacqui before she heads of to her Edinburgh Fringe Season in August 2025.
Little Squirt
The Loading Dock Theatre: 21 – 22 June
Queer twenty-something musical comedian Darby James clicks on an IVF clinic Facebook ad in the final COVID lockdown in Melbourne. He fills out the form, wanting to know more about his fertility and the pathways to help couples trying to conceive. Little does he know, he’ll embark on an uproarious and thought-provoking voyage through the donation process. Featuring original songs, Darby immerses the audience in a world of cheeky introspective mayhem and asks the age-old question: should we be having children?
A Night with the 78ers: 47th Anniversary of the First Mardi Gras
The Loading Dock Theatre: 24 June
On 24 June 1978, over 500 people participated in a protest march that is now known as the First Mardi Gras. What started as a peaceful march, descended into an ugly battle between protestors and police that ended with 58 people being arrested and taken to the Darlinghurst Police Station. Join Qtopia Sydney to honour those that took to the streets as we mark the 47th anniversary of the First Mardi Gras and importantly, show our deep gratitude to the 78ers for their incredible fight back then, and service since, in raising awareness to help secure the rights and freedoms the LGBTQIA+ community has today.
The Platonic Human Centipede
The Loading Dock Theatre: 25 – 29 June
High energy, chaotic, award-winning musical sketch comedy madness ft. the beauty (and horrors) of co-dependency. Join Australia’s favourite queer cabaret brats for a side-splitting, synth-soaring selection of songs/sketches all championing the unsung duos of the modern world! Because you know Hamish & Andy. You know Thelma & Louise. But the girls are about to blow your minds with how many abstract, ass-eating duos are out there. What happens when Bart and Lisa Simpson, Kristen Stewart, a vampire and Mr & Mrs. Claus walk in to a bar? Come to this turbo-charged hour that’ll leave you fed, frightened and seeing double to find out.
Qtopia Sydney’s Pride Fest Program takes place at The Loading Dock Theatre and The Substation from 1 – 30 June 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.qtopiasydney.com.au for details.
Image: Qtopia Sydney Pride Fest Artists (supplied)