Lend Me a Tenor

Written by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Cate Clelland
Presented by Free-Rain Theatre

It is 1934 – a glamorous time for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The company is overjoyed to have secured the world-famous tenor, Tito Merelli, to sing the starring role in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci for one evening. Everything is organised, all preparations have been carefully made, the Company awaits his arrival with bated breath. What can possibly go wrong?

Well, actually, everything! Everything can and does go wrong in this crazy, high-octane farce. In classic farce tradition Lend Me a Tenor offers an evening of silly situations, mistaken identities, mistakes, mishaps, miscommunication, misperception, misconception… It is a delicious piece of nonsense that charges at full speed towards resolution.

Hilarious and extravagant, this is the antidote to Canberra’s winter chills.

By Arrangement with ORiGiN^(TM) Theatrical On Behalf of Samuel French – A Concord Theatricals Company

In the news

Reviews - Lend Me A Tenor

Below are reviews of our September 2025 production of Lend Me A Tenor “Under Clelland’s direction her accomplished cast captures the correct mood, creating well-rounded characterisations without losing the essential silliness necessary to engage the audience with the farcical situations. With this delightfully entertaining production of “Lend Me A Tenor” Free Rain Theatre have produced a winner. […]

Chaos, comedy and charm: Free-Rain Theatre's Lend Me A Tenor

This article by Vincent Samaras was first published by Canberra Daily on 1 Sept 2025. Free-Rain Theatre is bringing a dose of glamour, chaos and laughter to the stage with Lend Me a Tenor, Ken Ludwig’s beloved fast-paced farce. Directed by Cate Clelland, the production will run at ACT Hub in Causeway Hall, Kingston, from 17–27 September. Set […]

Laugh out loud for Lend Me A Tenor

This article by Helen Musa was first published in the Canberra CityNews on 15 Sept 2025. They’re saying the coming side-splitting comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, is the perfect antidote to Canberra’s winter chills, and they could be right. Set in the fictional Cleveland Grand Opera (actually Cleveland Ohio does have an opera company, but not a […]

Supplementary Auditions - Lend Me a Tenor

Free-Rain Theatre Company are holding supplementary auditions for ‘Lend Me a Tenor’, on stage from 17 – 27 Sept. Extra auditions on Sat 7 June.
We are auditioning specifically for the roles of:
– Maggie (20s)
– Tito (famous tenor 35-45)
– Diana (sexy soprano 30-40)

Casting call for open roles in 2 Free-Rain shows

Free-Rain Theatre Company have announced the very talented casts for their three shows on at ACT Hub in 2025. Excitingly, there are still a few roles yet to be cast, so if you’re keen to tread the boards with the amazing talent already cast, we’d love you to send your expression of interest (EOI) to […]

Cast announcement - Lend Me a Tenor

Lend Me a Tenor is a classic farce with the usual menu of silly situations, mistaken identities, mistakes, mishaps, miscommunication, misperception, misconception… It is a delicious piece of nonsense that charges at full speed towards resolution. Free-Rain Theatre Company are delighted to announce the marvelous members of our cast for this fabulous frivolity. CAST: For […]

Free-Rain Theatre Company - Callbacks, Videos & EOIs for ACT Hub Season 2025

Callbacks for Beauty Queen and Lend Me a Tenor will be held on Saturday 18th January at Cook. New auditionees are asked to send an EOI. For Equus, new auditionees are asked to send an EOI.

Details

When: 17 September – 27 September 2025
Where:
ACT Hub
Causeway Hall, Kingston
14 Spinifex Street, Kingston ACT 2604

View program

Cast

Saunders – Michael Sparks
Max – John Whinfield
Maggie – Maxine Beaumont
Tito Merelli – William ‘Wally’ Allington
Maria – Christina Falsone
Bellhop – Justice-Noah Malfitano
Diana – Meaghan Stewart
Julia – Sally Cahill

Production Team

Director/ Designer: Cate Clelland
Stage Managers: Charlie and Sam Harbison-Gehrmann
Sound Designer: Neville Pye
Lighting Designer: David Brown
Costume Designer: Fiona Leach
Properties/Prompt: Rosemary Gibbons
Scenic Painting Team: Cate Clelland, Zita Clifford, Rosie Abrahams, Sally Cahill
Set Construction: Ron Abrahams, Matt Ovenell (consultant)
Marketing: Olivia Wenholz
Photography: Janelle McMenamin
ACT Hub Season 2025 photography: Ben Appleton, Photox

Acknowledgements

Canberra Repertory Society
Sarahlouise Owens and Sharon Tree singing teachers to John Whinfield
Dianna Nixon and Tara Mac Davidson singing teachers to William ‘Wally’ Allington

What's on after this?

The Musical of Musicals (the Musical) (15 October)