Premier Arts & Entertainment Coverage

Pretty Woman Musical

June 4, 2026

Review by Markus Hamence – Pretty Woman Musical. Performance date: Wednesday 04 June 2026. Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia.

Head to Hollywood with the dazzling stage adaptation of one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time – Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Bursting with glamour, charm, and all the iconic moments you know and love, this joyous musical hit opens May 31 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide and heads to Melbourne in July.

Featuring direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), an electrifying original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (‘Summer of ’69’, ‘Heaven’), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, this sensation brings a Hollywood classic to life like never before.

Vivian and Edward are unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other – and themselves. Brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood, and Broadway, Pretty Woman: The Musical is a guaranteed big night out that will lift your spirits and light up your heart.

Read below for my REVIEW.

Here we go…

I wanted the fairy tale. And I got it.

There are some stories that have become part of popular culture, and Pretty Woman is undoubtedly one of them. Bringing the beloved Hollywood romance to the stage could have easily felt like a nostalgic cash grab, but this dazzling production proves there is still plenty of magic left in Vivian and Edward’s fairy tale. Playing at Adelaide’s iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre, Pretty Woman: The Musical delivers glamour, heart, humour and enough feel-good energy to leave audiences floating out onto Grote Street with a smile, and we did.

“Pretty Woman sparkles with charm, heart and enough theatrical magic to leave audiences grinning long after the curtain falls.”
Markus Hamence

Samantha Jade is a revelation as Vivian Ward. Breathtaking even. Taking on a role forever linked to Julia Roberts is no easy task, yet Jade makes the character entirely her own. Her vocals soar throughout the production, particularly during the more emotional moments, while her natural warmth and charisma ensure the audience is with her every step of the journey. Opposite her, Ben Hall brings charm, sophistication and vulnerability to Edward Lewis, creating a believable connection that drives the story beyond its fairy-tale surface.

Michelle Brasier is an absolute standout as Kit De Luca, delivering some of the evening’s biggest laughs while never losing sight of the character’s heart. Tim Omaji is pure theatrical electricity, effortlessly commanding the stage whenever he appears, while the supporting cast add layers of colour, energy and sparkle throughout.

“Rodeo Drive on heat! Big hair, big laughs and even bigger heart – Pretty Woman is a sparkling theatrical makeover for the soul.”
Markus Hamence

Visually, the production is a feast. Lavish costumes, slick choreography and fast-moving set pieces transport audiences from Hollywood Boulevard to Rodeo Drive with cinematic ease. The score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance gives the show its own identity while still preserving the iconic moments fans adore. Every familiar scene lands with a knowing wink, and the audience response throughout the performance proves just how much affection remains for this story.

The classic one-liners from the movie are all there (except for ‘slippery little suckers’ and ‘Oh, it was so good, I almost peed my pants!’) making the familiarity and engagement there from the get-go.

What makes this production work so well is that it does not try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it embraces the romance, the fantasy and the joy that made the original film such a phenomenon. In a world that often feels heavy, Pretty Woman offers two and a half hours of pure escapism, wrapped in sequins, laughter and big musical theatre moments.

Pretty Woman: The Musical is everything audiences hope it will be – glamorous, uplifting and unapologetically romantic. Big mistake? Missing this show would be.

Review Wrap Up: Pretty Woman struts onto the stage in sky-high style, serving up a cocktail of romance, laughs and unapologetic fun. It’s a glittering feel-good escape that reminds us all that sometimes the perfect fit isn’t the shoe – it’s finding the courage to step into your own story.

Not seeing it is a BIG MISTAKE, BIG, HUGE!