Twelve months ago, Thomas White and Riley Mobbs set out to write a musical for their Year 11 Research Project. Fast forward a year, and their original work has just completed its pilot run to four supportive audiences, even earning standing ovations on closing night. True to their mysterious marketing, T&R Productions revealed just enough to intrigue without giving too much away. When the show opens with the most delightfully questionable rendition of Photograph you’ll ever see, it’s clear the audience is in for a fun, unpredictable night.

A New Musical: A New Musical is comedic genius in more ways than one. With book, music, and lyrics jointly credited to White and Mobbs, it’s fair to say the pair deserve equal praise across the board. Together they’ve assembled a dedicated cast of now–Year 12 students (plus one alum), who bring the story to life with energy and affection for the material.

We meet Sebastian, a theatre reviewer fed up with critiquing lacklustre jukebox musicals. After quitting his job, he laments the lack of originality on stage and decides to write his own musical. To preserve the magic of future performances, I won’t spoil any more, except to say this show deserves another run and even licensing opportunities once any adjustments are made.

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In addition to co-creating this musical, Riley Mobbs takes the helm as Director while Thomas White serves as Musical Director, ensuring their shared vision carries seamlessly from page to stage. The meta written into this musical was appreciated by the audience, and breaking the fourth wall to ensure this reviewer is involved no less than three times was a fun addition, while reviewing a musical about a reviewer no less.

As with any new production, a few technical hiccups surfaced, particularly with microphones and lighting. However, the technical team deserves praise for their calm professionalism and quick responses, addressing issues in real time and keeping the show moving without losing pace or energy.

In short, A New Musical: A New Musical is witty, self-aware, and full of heart. Thomas White and Riley Mobbs have created something original and infectiously fun – a promising first step in what could be a much bigger journey for both young writers.