The Australian producers of the upcoming musical have today confirmed that Australian performer Georgina Hopson will take on the role of Anya in the Australian premiere of ANASTASIA. The production will open at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December 2025 before heading to Perth’s Crown Theatre in March 2026 and Sydney’s Lyric Theatre in April 2026.
Hopson’s stage career includes performances in Singin’ in the Rain, Jagged Little Pill, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Jekyll & Hyde, Ragtime, and Evita – and most recently performing as part of the Sydney-exclusive Titanique. Her television appearances include Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story, Bump, and Doctor Doctor. She has also appeared in numerous concert productions, including Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John and To Barbra With Love. Hopson shared her excitement about joining the production:
I can’t quite believe that I am going to be playing Anya in ANASTASIA – I have loved this story and this character since I was a kid. I used to dress up as her and sing Journey to the Past on the trampoline. I wish I could tell my younger self that this was happening, I think she would have passed out with excitement – which is honestly how I still feel about it!
Inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s possible survival following the Russian Revolution, the musical draws from both historical speculation and the 20th Century Fox animated film. It follows Anya, a young woman determined to uncover her past, as she navigates from the final days of Imperial Russia to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Along the way, she teams up with a conman and a former aristocrat while being pursued by an officer intent on silencing her.
Expect to hear more about casting in the following months, leading to the Australian premiere season in Melbourne at the end of this year.
