Odd couple a match for stage
Instinct Entertainment and Spencer McLaren’s McLaren House have announced partnership on a new Australian musical based on the film Strange Bedfellows, which will open at The Princess Theatre in October.
The 2004 film, starring Paul Hogan and Michael Caton, was the highest-grossing Australian movie of the year. It followed two straight men’s quest to defraud the tax office by posing as a same-sex couple.
Not a critical success and even considered homophobic by some reviewers, it’s likely to be a controversial choice for adaptation as the marriage equality debate heats up in the lead-up to the ALP National Conference in December.
Producer Spencer McLaren (pictured), who portrayed The Secret Life of Us’ gay character Richie Blake, told the Star Observer there had been plenty of input from members of the gay community in the new production.
“I can assure you that there were plenty of gay eyes that went over the script,” he said.
“You have to remember also that this isn’t a gay musical. At its core is a story of mateship and being willing to do anything to help out a mate.”
The new production will star Gold Logie winner John Wood and musical theatre star Peter Cousens as the unlikely couple, Ralph and Vince. It will also feature Wicked’s Lucy Durack. It opens at the Princess Theatre on October 19. Tickets go on sale on July 11.
info: Bookings at www.ticketmaster.com.au
You May Also Like
Support the Star Observer… while you still can
LGBTQIA+ media is under threat. Queer content is censored by tech conglomerates who amplify bigotry and push out AI slop — so we receive less financial support than ever.
When our community is muzzled and intolerance intensifies, we need queer media more than ever. Your donation means we can continue paying queer journalists to write queer news.
Don’t rely on the straight lies of big tech – support Star Observer instead and donate now.
![“For [&] By The Community”: Junipero Founder Erin Duncan On The Importance Of FLINTA* Spaces](https://www.starobserver.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design-7.png)
