Michael Paynter

Fresh from his critically acclaimed and award-winning performance as Jesus in _Jesus Christ Superstar_, one of Australia’s finest voices, **Michael Paynter**, is set to strip back the layers, and the volume, taking centre stage in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s most iconic songs, in an intimate solo tour featuring some secret special guests.Before he steps into the role of the legendary John Farnham in Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere production of _Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical_ at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in November 2026, the powerhouse vocalist is returning to his roots, heralding a new chapter in his already remarkable career. The _Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026_ will see him step away from the theatrical stage for a run of exclusive, intimate shows, reimagining some of Australia’s most iconic songs in truly special settings across the country.Fans can also expect surprise appearances from some special guests, whose identities will remain a closely guarded secret until they step on stage, drawn from peers and collaborators who have shared Paynter’s journey from his signing to Sony in 2007 and his international tours with Miley Cyrus, to performing with Robbie Williams at the 2022 AFL Grand Final and currently touring with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and ICEHOUSE.**“Quite simply the voice of our generation. Michael Paynter is untouchable.”** – _The Veronicas  
  
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**“I’ve spent 15 years watching audiences be captivated by Michael’s voice, and this extraordinary show will be no exception. These iconic songs couldn’t be in safer hands.”** – _Iva Davies  
  
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**“It’s so great to see a singer who not only sings beautifully but every time he does sing, it becomes a joyous occasion for everyone in the audience.”**– _Jimmy Barnes  
  
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_“I am absolutely buzzing to bring this show to life,” says Paynter. “After the massive production of Jesus Christ Superstar, stripping it back to just a guitar and piano is exciting. It’s going to be raw, real, and completely unpredictable. I’m dragging some of my best mates out on the road to surprise you, sharing stories from life on the road and the studio, and singing the anthems that have defined my life and hopefully yours too. It’s been over a decade since I’ve done anything like this, and I can’t wait to see you there.”_  
  
Known the world over as a true “singer’s singer”, Paynter is also one of Australia’s most successful songwriters and music producers. He has spent the last two decades collaborating with the giants of the industry, some of whose songs he will be celebrating on the **‘Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026’**.In 2022 he received the ARIA Award for Best Country Album with Casey Barnes’ LP “Light It Up”, which he co-wrote and produced, and is also a 2 x Golden Guitar winner and multiple nominee recipient. Having toured, produced and written with Australian music royalty including John Farnham, Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem, Casey Barnes, James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, Taylor Moss and Icehouse, audiences can expect to hear personal tales about working alongside the greats, woven between stripped-back hits with his trademark soaring vocals.Fresh from his critically acclaimed and award-winning performance as Jesus in _Jesus Christ Superstar_, one of Australia’s finest voices, **Michael Paynter**, is set to strip back the layers, and the volume, taking centre stage in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s most iconic songs, in an intimate solo tour featuring some secret special guests.Before he steps into the role of the legendary John Farnham in Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere production of _Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical_ at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in November 2026, the powerhouse vocalist is returning to his roots, heralding a new chapter in his already remarkable career. The _Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026_ will see him step away from the theatrical stage for a run of exclusive, intimate shows, reimagining some of Australia’s most iconic songs in truly special settings across the country.Fans can also expect surprise appearances from some special guests, whose identities will remain a closely guarded secret until they step on stage, drawn from peers and collaborators who have shared Paynter’s journey from his signing to Sony in 2007 and his international tours with Miley Cyrus, to performing with Robbie Williams at the 2022 AFL Grand Final and currently touring with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and ICEHOUSE.**“Quite simply the voice of our generation. Michael Paynter is untouchable.”** – _The Veronicas  
  
_  
  
**“I’ve spent 15 years watching audiences be captivated by Michael’s voice, and this extraordinary show will be no exception. These iconic songs couldn’t be in safer hands.”** – _Iva Davies  
  
_  
  
**“It’s so great to see a singer who not only sings beautifully but every time he does sing, it becomes a joyous occasion for everyone in the audience.”**– _Jimmy Barnes  
  
_  
  
_“I am absolutely buzzing to bring this show to life,” says Paynter. “After the massive production of Jesus Christ Superstar, stripping it back to just a guitar and piano is exciting. It’s going to be raw, real, and completely unpredictable. I’m dragging some of my best mates out on the road to surprise you, sharing stories from life on the road and the studio, and singing the anthems that have defined my life and hopefully yours too. It’s been over a decade since I’ve done anything like this, and I can’t wait to see you there.”_  
  
Known the world over as a true “singer’s singer”, Paynter is also one of Australia’s most successful songwriters and music producers. He has spent the last two decades collaborating with the giants of the industry, some of whose songs he will be celebrating on the **‘Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026’**.In 2022 he received the ARIA Award for Best Country Album with Casey Barnes’ LP “Light It Up”, which he co-wrote and produced, and is also a 2 x Golden Guitar winner and multiple nominee recipient. Having toured, produced and written with Australian music royalty including John Farnham, Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem, Casey Barnes, James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, Taylor Moss and Icehouse, audiences can expect to hear personal tales about working alongside the greats, woven between stripped-back hits with his trademark soaring vocals.**TICKET DELIVERY**:  
  
Please note your tickets will only become available 72 hours before your performance, via the delivery method outlined in your order confirmation email.[![](https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Michael-Paynter-169x300.png)](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sRJK9KTFu4I)Fresh from winning the Green Room “Best Actor In A Leading Role” Award for his acclaimed portrayal of Jesus in the blockbuster Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar and ahead of stepping into the shoes of another iconic Australian ‘Jesus’, when he stars as music legend John Farnham later this year in Sydney Theatre Company’s Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical, vocal powerhouse Michael Paynter is answering the prayers of fans: releasing an official studio recording of “Gethsemane,” the song from Jesus Christ Superstar that went viral around the world, arriving on Spotify on March 31.The overwhelming fan response to his live performances fuelled global demand for a studio version. Since his time in the show, fan-captured and live videos of Paynter’s staggering performance have gone wild around the international musical theatre community, clocking millions of views across multiple platforms, drawing him high-profile fans across the globe. Now, fans all over the country who have been pleading for a way to relive the experience are finally getting their wish. “Ever since I started ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, I’ve had literally thousands of people crying out for a cast recording, begging me over and over again to have a version of Gethsemane that they could take home and listen to,” Paynter says.Buying any ticket to any show counts towards your membership, so whether you want to laugh, dance or feel something totally new, your path to membership is uniquely yours.Throughout the year, members will enjoy priority presales, flexible ticket options, exclusive invites, discounts at the Link Bar and special offers at nearby restaurants – all the little extras that make your time at the theatre feel like it was made just for you.Canberra Ticketing is the authorised ticket seller for Canberra Theatre Centre events with tickets sold and issued by QTIX as the ticketing agent. You will receive various communications from both Canberra Ticketing and QTIX while purchasing tickets in the new system.Please be aware that Canberra Theatre Centre 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, The Ticket Merchant, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or otherwise, you may be refused entry to the event.A range of concession prices are available to all our Canberra Theatre Centre 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.Here at Canberra Theatre Centre, we are committed to delivering safe & enjoyable performing arts experiences. View important information at [COVID Safe Operations](https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/your-visit/covid-19-update/).**Canberra Theatre Centre acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognises any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.** **We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.**Visit the Canberra Theatre Centre Box Office  
  
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Michael Paynter

Event Description

Michael Paynter – Great Australian Songbook

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