After a season in London, Deep-Heat Rivalry, a musical parody written by Australian performers Trevor Ashley and Phil Scott, will have Australian seasons at Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The production, which premiered in London earlier this year, draws inspiration from the hockey romance novel Heated Rivalry. It combines musical theatre, comedy and parody to tell the story of two rival ice hockey players who develop a romantic relationship.
Ashley, an Olivier Award nominee, co-wrote the work with cabaret performer and composer Scott. The show features original songs and incorporates themes of rivalry, celebrity and queer relationships.
The story centres on Shane Hollandaise and Ilya Stroganoff, internationally renowned hockey players whose professional competition masks a growing attraction. As the pair navigate the pressures of their sporting careers, they are forced to confront their feelings for one another.
The production includes adult themes, sexual humour and nudity. Reviews from its London season described it as a fast-paced and irreverent take on the romance genre.
Deep-Heat Rivalry will be presented as part of the 2027 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras program.
MELBOURNE | MIDSUMMA FESTIVAL 2027
Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St Prahran
Dates: 21-31 January, 2027
www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
SYDNEY | SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS 2027
Venue: Foundry Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
Dates: 2-14 March, 2027
www.foundrytheatre.com.au
