Antonio!
This queer punk pirate musical stars Shakespeare’s ultimate love interest: Antonio! What if history's favourite bard wasn’t simply reusing a character name, but instead was inspired by one proudly queer pirate stealing hearts and booty (wink wink) on the high seas? Frustrated by Shakespeare’s approach to gay representation, Antonio takes the stage with his band The Fools for Love to reclaim his stories. He’s not bitter: he’s getting even!
Now touring Australasia after a ★★★★ and ★★★★★ sell-out season at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, 'Antonio!' is “the cult classic that we all deserve" Broadway Baby.
“This show is such a joy; it’s hilarious, it’s camp, it’s well acted, the script is clever, the music is great, the costumes are stunning.” The Edinburgh Reporter
Presented by: Butch Mermaid Productions
Butch Mermaid Productions' mission is to make queer joy irresistible and contagious, envisioning a world where all queer people experience joy and belonging. Our flagship production, Transhumance, won a Best Weekly Award in Circus and Physical Theater at Adelaide Fringe 2020, went on to tour internationally and was most recently performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Past Butch Mermaid Productions shows include Too Much Hair, a musical cabaret about gender euphoria (2022), Into the Bush, a queer circus-theatre project (2021), and Proud Voices, an audio festival that played internationally in three major cities (2020, 2021).
Reviews & Fringe Feed Reacts
From head to tail Antonio! whoops you with its’ cheekily self-aware brand of humour, kick-ass live music, and pure queer joy. - Jake Mace, Binge Fringe
This show is such a joy; it’s hilarious, it’s camp, it’s well acted, the script is clever, the music is great, the costumes are stunning - Rosemary Kaye, The Edinburgh Reporter
Joyously Chaotic... Potentially a Cult Classic - Paul Vale, The Stage
It's a first-class sound, with a great light hearted story, funny songs... a brilliant, talented cast. A treasure chest of musical comedy - Rachel Louise Martin, West End Best Friend
A romping reflection on the best bard in the biz, Antonio!... is completely queer from top to bottom... catch it if you can! - Sean Burnett Dugdale-Martin, Art Murmurs