MICHAEL PAYNTER: AS HE BEGINS HIS SOLD-OUT SOLO TOUR AND RELEASES A NEW EP, MICHAEL PAYNTER HAS NOW BEEN CAST TO PLAY JOHN FARNHAM IN NEW MUSICAL
Just as Australian powerhouse singer Michael Paynter is about to embark on his own “The Great Australian Songbook” national tour and release its companion EP, he has today officially been cast to play the legendary John Farnham in Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere production, “Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical” at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in November 2026.
Following his 2025 award-winning turn as ‘Jesus’ in the blockbuster production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Paynter will now take on the most anticipated role in Australian theatre and the mantle of “The Voice,” bringing his signature range, power and finesse to the story and songs of an icon who defined Australia’s soundtrack.
“To be asked to help tell the story of the greatest voice this country has ever produced is an honour that is very hard to put into words,” says Paynter. “For me, John Farnham is the absolute zenith of male singers in all of history. The gold standard that I have spent my entire life being blessed and instructed by. After the whirlwind of the last year, being chosen to be a part of this Musical, on the Sydney Theatre Company stage, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I only hope I can do my best, with what I have been given, to honour the man and his legacy.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON ‘WHISPERING JACK’
While preparing for the landmark production – produced by Sydney Theatre Company in association with Michael Cassel and Gaynor Wheatley – Paynter has already become the hottest ticket of 2026. With an initial run of sold-out solo shows across the country, more dates have been added in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, along with new shows in Geelong, Richmond (Sydney), Canberra and Perth. The “The Great Australian Songbook” tour has blossomed from an initial 8 dates, to now over 20 – many of which are already sold out.
Responding to the overwhelming demand and requests from fans, Paynter has released the songs he will perform at these shows in a deeply personal new EP called “The Great Australian Songbook LIVE Vol. 1.” Recorded in the stunning Somerville Mechanics Hall near his childhood home of Frankston, the tracks eschew modern “studio trickery,” capturing the music in a single, raw take using only a piano, a guitar, and Paynter’s soaring vocals.
“I was blown away by the reaction from so many people wanting to come and see me play that I wanted to give something back – something for them to listen to and watch after the show is done,” says Paynter. “I wanted to capture the essence of what the live show is about: my interpretations of the songs that mean the most to me. There are no edits here. It’s just the room, the song, my voice, and the moment.”
Out now, the EP features powerful renditions of Working Class Man (Jimmy Barnes), Crazy (Icehouse), Chandelier (Sia), and a poignant “sneak peek” into his upcoming role with covers of Farnham’s own Age Of Reason and Burn For You. The EP was also filmed live for YouTube and marks the first in a planned series, with subsequent volumes to be recorded in unique locations across Melbourne.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN SONGBOOK IS TOURING NATIONALLY
TICKETS VIA MICHAELPAYNTER.COM
“WHISPERING JACK: THE JOHN FARNHAM MUSICAL”
PREMIERES NOV 2026. DETAILS: SYDNEYTHEATRE.COM.AU
Sunday 8 February: Lyric’s Underground, Perth, WA – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 4 March 6.30pm: Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide, SA – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 4 March 9pm: Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide, SA
Saturday 7 March: Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston, VIC – SOLD OUT
Sunday 8 March: Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston, VIC – LIMITED TICKETS
Friday 20 March: Sopo Southport, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday 11 April Matinee: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – SOLD OUT
Saturday 11 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – SOLD OUT
Sunday 12 April: Avoca Beach Theatre, Avoca Beach, NSW – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 22 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – LIMITED TICKETS
Thursday 23 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – LIMITED TICKETS
Friday 24 April: The Regent Theatre, Richmond, Sydney NSW
Saturday 2 May: Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD – SOLD OUT!
Sunday 3 May: Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD – LIMITED TICKETS
Friday 8 May: Playhouse Theatre, Canberra, ACT
Friday 15 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT!
Saturday 16 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT!
Sunday 17 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT!
Friday 29 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – LIMITED TICKETS
Wednesday 3 June: Astor Theatre, Perth, WA
Saturday June 13: The Story Theatre, Geelong VIC – LIMITED TICKETS
Friday 10 July: Festival of Voices, Hobart, TAS
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About Michael Paynter
One of Australia’s most successful songwriters and music producers, Michael Paynter has spent the last two decades collaborating with the likes of John Farnham, Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem, Casey Barnes, James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, Taylor Moss and Icehouse. In 2022 he received the ARIA Award for Best Country Album with Casey Barnes’ LP “Light It Up”, which he co-wrote and produced, and is also a 2 x Golden Guitar winner. He has been on international tours with Miley Cyrus, performed with Robbie Williams at the 2022 AFL Grand Final and is currently touring with Jimmy Barnes.
Michael Paynter: The Great Australian Songbook Live – Track by track, in Michael’s own words
Working Class Man: This is a song that I’ve sung for five years, several times a week with Jimmy [Barnes]. I’ve played it in some iconic places. I remember playing it at the Birdsville Big Red Bash, which is the most remote music festival in the world, out in the middle of the desert. It took two small planes to get to. There were 15,000 Akubras staring out at us from the crowd; people who had driven multiple days to see us play. Literally, ‘Working Class Man’—working hard for a living. It’s one of the most iconic Australian songs ever by one of the most iconic Australian artists ever, and it’s been fantastic to be a part of that.
Crazy: ‘Crazy’ has always been my favourite Icehouse song. I think it’s a wonderful melody and beautiful lyrics. I think it’s Iva [Davies] at his absolute peak. I’ve played it for 15 years, and it’s one particular song in the set I never get tired of. I love it so much. It’s just an exceptional combination of his classical training and his pop nous.
Burn For You: This was the first sort of “tricky” song, that I remember learning on guitar. I remember practicing it so much that I could play it without thinking about it so I could play and sing it. It’s a song I’ve sung thousands of times in my life. If I had to sing one song to save my life, that would probably be it.
Chandelier: I think ‘Chandelier’ is one of the most extraordinary Australian songs ever written. It’s Sia at her best! It’s an incredible pop song and an extraordinary melody that requires complete commitment and a little bit of unhinged singing to pull it off. It’s always a challenge to sing, and it feels like a bit of a sprint to get through, but I love singing it.
Age of Reason: This is one of my favourite Farnham songs—possibly my favourite. I love the harmony and the poetry of the words. I love the way it analyses human nature. It has a beautiful soaring melody, and I love when John sings it live—the way he takes the melody for a walk and the things he does improvisationally. It’s very fun to play on piano, so that was a really fun one to rearrange. This one kind of feels like my special song.
Michael Paynter, one of Australia’s most versatile and celebrated performers, will take to the stage for a rare and up-close and personal show presenting — The Great Australian Songbook Live.
This exclusive one-night-only event will see Paynter showcase his extraordinary voice, dynamic range, and captivating stage presence, performing timeless Australian classics alongside very special guests.
Fresh from his critically acclaimed 2025 season in the lead role of Jesus in the sold-out Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, Paynter has continued to wow audiences nationwide with his emotional depth and powerhouse vocals. In addition to his theatrical triumph, he remains a sought-after live collaborator, performing alongside Icehouse, Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem, and The Veronicas.
