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