Bonny & Read is a new queer musical based on real female pirates of the 1700s. Mary Read is captured aboard a ship with a cut-throat female Captain Anne Bonny, sailing alongside Calico Jack. However, Mary must keep her identity hidden; disguised as “Mark” Read, she must help them escape a feared Naval Captain hunting them down. But what happens when Anne begins to fall for this mysterious “Mark” Read? This new musical explores the themes of love, identity and finding your place in a world where you didn’t think you belonged.

Developed with Shopfront Arts Co Op’s ArtsLab Residency with mentorship from award-winning Australian musical theatre composer Laura Murphy. Then developed with Dramaturgical support from Yve Blake through the Hayes Creative Development Program and has been featured in the Hayes New Work Festival (2025).

It premiered as part of Qtopia Sydney’s 2025 Mainstage Season in the Loading Dock Theatre in October 2025.