When Back to the Future: The Musical opens its doors at the Sydney Lyric this September, there will be a new name hurtling through time: Axel Duffy. Stepping into the sneakers of Marty McFly – a role made iconic by Michael J. Fox – Duffy is set to lead the Australian premiere of the Olivier Award-winning musical from 26 September 2025.
Best known for his energetic turn in Grease the Musical and for tackling multiple roles in the Australian run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Duffy is now set to head back in time. A 2019 graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, his trajectory has been marked by a range of notable tenures in Australian theatre, from the world of wizards to the prairies of Oklahoma. Now, he’ll swap magic wands and cowboy boots for a skateboard and puffer vest in one of pop culture’s most beloved stories.
The producers – John Frost, Colin Ingram, along with original film creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis have signalled their enthusiasm for Duffy’s casting. Australian producer John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia has shared:
We are thrilled to welcome the immensely talented Axel Duffy to our Australian cast as Marty McFly. His charisma, energy, and musicality bring a fresh spark to this iconic role, and we’re excited for audiences to fall in love with Marty all over again.
Furthermore, director John Rando also shared his impressions of Duffy’s audition, stating:
From the moment Axel Duffy walked into the audition room, we knew we were seeing something special. His energy, charm, and authenticity perfectly capture the spirit of Marty McFly. Back to the Future is a pop culture phenomenon, and casting a talent like Axel in the lead role ensures the heart of the story will shine brightly for Australian audiences. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the time-traveling adventure.
Tickets to the Australian premiere season at the Sydney Lyric Theatre are now available to purchase via the official Back to the Future: The Musical Australian official website.
