Review: The Heartbreak Choir
The PIP Theatre team has done it again, programming a marvellous play that showcases the talents of the local cast and creatives, and entertains Brisbane audiences.
Aidan Fennessy’s play, The Heartbreak Choir is an Australian gem. A small breakaway group from the local choir gather in the local Country Fire Authority (CFA) hall. Having found a place to rehearse, chosen a name, and set up a bank account, members of the newly formed Heartbreak Choir just need to get ready for their first public performance… and perhaps find a way to put the world to rights. As the stories unfold, we learn about the local heartbreak, and find joy in the ways in which they all move forward together.
Director Sherryl-Lee Secomb has assembled an outstanding cast. The choir is conducted and generally held together by the local psychologist, Barbara (Catarina Hebbard). Hebbard is an excellent confidant, counsellor, and conductor—holding our full attention from the early moments of setting up the hall, through to those difficult conversations with the newly-widowed Peter (Bradley McCaw), and with the whole group. Brightholly Nininahazwe (Assini) is a talented actor, and I love the way in which Nininahazwe establishes the new migrant as a key member of the community—through movement, song, and in the frank delivery of story and news.
The show features two parent/child duos. McCaw is excellent as the grieving dad and local cop, who is trying to find a way to single parent Beau (Benjamin Cole); their subplot, and the ways in which both find ways forward through connecting with the choir, is brought together well where both men play important roles in the closing number. Equally, Gemma Galley (Mack) and Micheal Enright (Savannah) make for an interesting mother-daughter combination, where Galley and Enright each create memorable onstage characters. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, I won’t explain why the way in which their individual stories play out is so satisfying; you will just have to go along to see the play.
The ‘icing on the [casting] cake,’ and one of the main reasons to see The Heartbreak Choir, is to enjoy the performance by PIP Producer, Deidre Grace. Grace (Totty) is a talented character and comic actor who commands the stage. Totty is funny, quirky, and possibly a little on the spectrum—and I’d go to see the play again just to enjoy Grace’s dialogue around the Charlotte/Totty name.
As we have come to expect with the PIP Theatre, the creatives also play an important role in the success of the show. Regan Henry’s set design cleverly evokes the typical Australian community hall, complete with the old-fashioned heat lamp and picture of the late Queen. Bill Haycock’s costume design is deceptively simple, Noah Milne’s lighting design evokes the changing weather and time of day, and Hannah Page’s sound design is excellent as always.
As a play about a choir, that features several a capella musical numbers, it is reassuring that members of this cast can sing. Favourite numbers for me included the opening harmonies, the African choral piece, Enright’s Savannah solos, and of course the full choir finale (where the cast are joyfully joined by members of the Ignite Choir, directed by Harmony Woollett).
The Heartbreak Choir is comedy dedicated to the need for community, and the uplifting power of music to bring people together. Don’t be put off by content warnings that highlight some of the challenging themes that are referred to in the play, as difficult issues are handled sensitively and honestly, and are not the whole focus of the story.
The PIP Theatre team has done it again: a great choice of play, a strong cast, fabulous comic moments, excellent direction, and a memorable story. Don’t flick past this one, as The Heartbreak Choir is a charming, joyful, heartwarming and funny play, showcasing talented local actors and creatives. There is so much to choose from during Brisbane Festival month, so just make sure you don’t miss this gem.
Picture: Members of The Heartbreak Choir. Image source https://piptheatre.org/heartbreak-choir/ (NOT a Creative Futures Photography image)
Audience information: The Heartbreak Choir, PIP Theatre, 20 Park Road, Milton QLD 4064 (9-19 September 2026). Recommend 14+ (Adult themes & coarse language in a show that includes conversations referencing child sexual abuse, rape, mental health, self-harm & suicide). 150 minutes, including a 15+minute interval. Tickets $35-50, plus $3.30 booking fee.
Additional Credits: Courtney Farrar (Stage Manager), and Jacqui Hall Cuny (Musical Consultant). Produced by PIP Theatre. By arrangement with Creative Representation, Nova Weetman.
The reviewer attended the 12th September 2026, 2pm performance.