Anastasia the Musical
Regent Theatre, Melbourne (Australian premiere)
Musical direction is always in capable hands when Anthony Barnhill is at the helm, and the result is nothing short of thrilling. Every note, every shift in tempo or style, is executed with precision and flair, and it’s impossible not to be impressed by the way the orchestra brings such richness, energy, and emotion to the stage.
– Stage Whispers
Musical director Anthony Barnhill conducts a tight orchestra of ten musicians, whose versatility lends an added richness to the musical performance. Choral vocals are first rate, and it is hard to recall a set of principal roles sung with such uniform strength and beauty.
– Man In Chair
The vocal talent is superb, with all songs delivered with power, strength, clarity and emotion. The harmonies echo out into the evening, and everyone on stage and in the orchestra is committed to telling this story with conviction.
– The Scoop
Beetlejuice the Musical
Regent Theatre, Melbourne (Australian premiere)
On keys, musical director Anthony Barnhill conducts nine fellow musicians in a blazing performance of Perfect’s toe-tapping score.
– Man In Chair
The cast are strong and the band in fine form.
– The Guardian
Whether it’s the tone-setter “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” or the hilarity of “That Beautiful Sound“, from start to finish the performances of said songs are faultless.
– The AU Review
Chicago the Musical
Crown Theatre, Perth | QPAC, Brisbane | Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne | Capitol Theatre, Sydney | Adelaide Festival Centre | Canberra Theatre Centre
Musical director Anthony Barnhill and his band are nothing short of perfect.
– Glam Adelaide
The band, directed by Anthony Barnhill, is all class, sass and exactitude, and the sound is exceptional.
– Sydney Morning Herald
The onstage band, led by Anthony Barnhill is stunningly good.
– The Barefoot Review
Musical Director Anthony Barnhill led a superb on stage band orchestra. Another show highlight was the rousing version of All That Jazz which put the show in to full throttle after Interval with all trumpets blazing.
– Sydney Arts Guide
Midnight the Cinderella Musical
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Anthony Barnhill has brought together a ‘jewel box’ of highly talented musicians that produce an incredible full sound of a much larger orchestra. Barnhill extracts a rich quality from the band with his sublime arrangements and skillful instrumentation.
– Stage Whispers
The music sounds wonderful in the theatre thanks to Anthony Barnhill’s musical direction.
– ArtsHub
Orchestrations by musical director Anthony Barnhill really allow the songs to be heard at their best.
– Man In Chair
But the real hero of Midnight The Cinderella Musical is the musical score itself. With glorious orchestrations by Musical Director Anthony Barnhill this show is filled with a range of top-tapping numbers and soaring ballads.
– Theatre Matters
The Phantom of the Opera
Sydney Opera House | Arts Centre Melbourne
Winner: 2023 Green Room Award for Musical Direction of a Commercial Musical
However, nothing thrills you more than the music, with conductor Anthony Barnhill on board to coax a commanding richness from the orchestra. He ensures the score is shot through with such delicious clarity it could make you giddy.
– The Guardian
At the heart of Phantom is its superb score. In this production, these iconic songs are wonderfully reproduced by a 27-piece orchestra, led by musical director Anthony Barnhill. It is immensely satisfying to hear each number performed by such a large contingent of players; each indelible melody is so richly brought to life.
– Theatre Matters
The Australian production uses the full 27-piece orchestra, featured when Phantom first opened in the West End. Musical Director Anthony Barnhill conducts Lloyd Webber’s now iconic score – and how exciting it is to hear such large musical forces for a musical. Yet another reason to see The Phantom of the Opera and experience the music of the night afresh.
– Limelight
Thankfully too, this production also retains the full orchestra; conducted by Anthony Barnhill. Under his experienced direction, the arrangements remain rich and thrilling. So much so that many of the first-night audience stayed in their seats after the final curtain to savour the lush play-out music.
– Arts Review
West Side Story
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour | Crown Theatre, Perth (supervisor) | QPAC, Brisbane (supervisor) | Adelaide Festival Centre | Canberra Theatre Centre | Sydney Opera House | Semperoper, Dresden | Staatsoper, Berlin | Musical Dome, Cologne | The Opera House, Wellington | Arts Centre Melbourne
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Composer in Residence: Melbourne 2016-2019
© 2025 Anthony Barnhill