Cody Simpson has spent his career shifting between worlds – first as a pop star, then as an elite swimmer, and now, as he returns to the stage, a leading man in “Guys & Dolls” on Sydney Harbour.
“I’ve always been interested in musical theatre,” he says. “But it wasn’t something I imagined doing myself until I was maybe 17 or 18.” His early fascination with the golden age of musicals – Sinatra, Astaire, and the films of the 1950s – eventually led him to Broadway, and at 21 he made his stage debut in “Anastasia”, an experience that deepened his appreciation for the craft. “I had an absolute ball doing that and learned so much,” he says. But soon after, Covid-19 put live theatre on pause, and Simpson took an unexpected detour into competitive swimming, ultimately making the Australian national team.
Now, as he takes on the role of Sky Masterson in “Guys & Dolls”, he’s stepping back into a world that has always intrigued him. “When I retired from swimming, I knew I wanted to come back to performing,” he says. “Then this opportunity came along not long after. The timing was pretty perfect.”
Presented as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, “Guys & Dolls” transforms Mrs Macquarie’s Point into a 1950s Manhattan, with an overwater stage, live orchestra, and nightly fireworks. Directed by Shaun Rennie, the production leans into the energy and showmanship that made the original musical a Broadway staple.
For Simpson, Sky Masterson is a character with depth beyond the sharp suits and effortless charm. “There’s some great old short stories by Damon Runyon that go deeper into his background,” he says of the source material that inspired the musical. “I wanted to absorb as much as I could and then fill in the gaps.” As part of his preparation, he wrote a first-person autobiography from Sky’s perspective – a way of mapping out the character’s past and motivations before stepping into rehearsals.
Alongside fellow leads Annie Aitken, Bobby Fox, Angelina Thomson, and Jason Arrow, “Guys & Dolls” is built for spectacle. The staging is expansive, the choreography high-energy, and the score packed with classics like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”.
For Simpson, this marks the start of a new phase in his creative career. “Somehow, everything lined up for this to be my next step,” he says.
“Guys and Dolls” runs from March 21 – April 20 at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, opera.org.au/harbour.
