Synopsis
9 – 11 October 2026
Co-created by Michael Simic and Tracy Bourne.
What happens when a man meets his alter ego in the belly of a whale?
In the Belly of the Whale is a rollicking and revealing tale by acclaimed Croatian-Australian singer, songwriter and performer Michael Simic. This is a Jekyll and Hyde tale turned upside down, as Simic’s own story as a new dad juggling home life with life on the road intertwines with the mythic ocean adventures of his charming alter ego, Mikelangelo. Shipwrecked and swallowed by a giant sperm whale, the two meet in its belly and must find a way to escape.
Combining songs, storytelling, comedy, and physical theatre, In the Belly of the Whale is vibrant, tender and incredibly entertaining. This deeply personal work shines a light on what it means to be a father, a son, a husband, and an artist.
2025 Canberra Artist of the Year, Simic is best known as the frontman of his long-term group Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, and for his role in the Olivier-award winning international hit La Clique. He has sold out headline shows from the Sydney Opera House to London’s West End, garnering accolades and a dedicated following for his highly original work.
In the Belly of the Whale was created in collaboration with writer/director Tracy Bourne, who has worked extensively in music and theatre in Australia, including productions with Chamber Made Opera, Melbourne International Festival and the ABC.
This production has been supported by the Canberra Theatre Centre and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, where the show debuted to a sell-out season in February 2025.
★★★★★”Brilliantly entertaining and refreshingly different” – The Scotsman
★★★★ “Mikelangelo weaves a seductive spell around the audience…loved every minute” – The List
★★★★”Gloriously hilarious, musically astonishing and emotionally heart-punching” – ArtsHub
“A charismatic maestro…vivid storytelling” – The Age
Ticket prices
Standard
$35.00
Concession^
$30.00
Double bill pass (2 shows)
Standard
$60.00
Concession^
$50.00
Festival pass (4 shows)
Standard
$110.00
Concession^
$90.00
^Concession: Pension Card holder, Full time student, Health Card holder
* A transaction fee applies. This range includes Concession, Groups or Package prices which have specific requirements.
Dates & Times
Friday 9 October 2026, 6.30pm
Saturday 10 October 2026, 6.30pm
Sunday 11 October 2026, 5.30pm
Details
PRESENTED BY:
Canberra Theatre Centre
DURATION:
Approximately 1 hour, with no interval.
WARNINGS:
This performance may contain strobe lights and haze effects.
AGE SUITABILITY:
This performance is suitable for audiences of all ages.
LATECOMERS:
For most performances, latecomers cannot be admitted until a break in the performance. Please allow plenty of time to cover traffic and parking delays.
VENUE:
The Courtyard Studio
ACCESS INFORMATION
Show Packages
THE INDEPENDENTS – FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS 2026
BUY WEEK 1 DOUBLE BILL PASS AND SAVE
| Double bill pass | Standard $60.00 | Concession $50.00 |
Includes two shows across one evening. Featuring :
BUY FESTIVAL PASS AND SAVE
| Festival pass | Standard $110.00 | Concession $90.00 |
Includes all festival shows across two evenings. Featuring :
NEED TO KNOW
TICKETING & SAFETY
Canberra Ticketing is the authorised ticket seller for this event with tickets sold and issued by QTIX as the ticketing agent. Please be aware that Canberra Ticketing has no obligation to honour tickets purchased via unauthorised re-sellers. If you attend the event with a ticket purchased via an unauthorised re-seller such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or otherwise, you may be refused entry to the event.
Find further information on ticket resale and scalping here.
CONCESSIONS
A range of concession prices are available to all of our Canberra Ticketing patrons, and the exact nature of concessions will vary from show to show. We recommend that you check the specific pricing of each show when making your purchasing decision. Where concession prices are listed, proof of eligibility for concession must be presented at the Canberra Ticketing Box Office upon collection of tickets or full price may be charged.
