About
So… what is it?
Bearded tells the story of Bet, whose father is a conservative political candidate, and Ace, her best friend, as they navigate family expectations, societal scrutiny, and the courage to be themselves. Set against a backdrop of fierce public debate in the midst of Australia’s 2017 marriage equality plebiscite, this musical explores the intimate, private struggles of two young people caught in the middle, each grappling with their identities in a world that demands they choose between loyalty and self-expression.
With a fresh, electric score and vibrant energy, Bearded captures the resilience, humour, and heartbreak of Bet and Ace’s journey as they seek love and acceptance. Forced to keep their true selves hidden, they juggle family loyalty and self-discovery in a way that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. At once funny and poignant, Bearded celebrates the power of friendship, resilience, and the joy of living openly—even when the world seems set against it. This powerful new musical is a tribute to the bravery it takes to stand up, speak out, and love freely in a time of change and challenge.
A BRIEF HISTORY
2019/2020
Bearded did early workshops with The Australian Institute of Music Music Theatre cohort in 2019 and had its first reading online in 2020 with a cast of some of Australia’s most respected performers including, Em Rusciano, Broden Kelly, Sheridan Harbridge, Gillian Cosgriff and William McKenna.
Bearded was then selected for the 2020/21 Australian Music Theatre Festival’s Residency Program that saw the show workshopped for 7 days in Launceston, Tasmania as part of the Festival. The show was also shortlisted for the 2021 APRA AMCOS Professional Development Awards.
2021
In February 2022 Bearded spent a week workshopping with the 3rd year cohort of The Victorian College of the Arts Musical Theatre program. In June 2022 a concert version of the show was presented to a sold out audience at Chapel Off Chapel produced by Homegrown Theatre Co. Due to popular demand a second sold out concert was produced in July 2022 also at Chapel Off Chapel, that presented the show acoustically with an insight into the writing of the show.
2022
2022
In November 2022, the VCA and Homegrown Theatre Co. presented a closed reading of the show at the VCA’s Southbank campus to notable theatre professionals including Anton Berezin, Theresa Borg, Tyran Parke and Gillian Cosgriff.
2023
In March 2023, Bearded received its first full mounting at Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37, produced by Frankston Arts Centre as part of the Frankston City Council’s Artist Grant Program. The season was extended due to sold out shows. Bearded continues to develop and prove it’s worth in the Australian Music Theatre scene and the future of the show is extremely promising.