On Thursday 23 April 2026, the lights of Thirroul’s beloved Anita’s Theatre go down, the crowd roars, and from the first note you know — this is Queen, as it should be. Queen Forever celebrates 20 years with their 2026 Greatest Hits Tour – 20th Anniversary, bringing an arena-scale Queen experience to the Coal Coast’s most iconic Art Deco venue.
From the opening bars, Anita’s Theatre becomes a time machine. Gareth Hill’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury is spine-tingling — the voice, the moves, the mischief, the sheer command of the room. Beside him, Scott Bastian channels Brian May with those singing, orchestral guitar lines; Brad Hodgkinson thunders through Roger Taylor’s explosive rhythms; Darryn McLaughlin locks in John Deacon’s deceptively slick bass grooves; and Danny Oakhill paints the sound with lush Spike Edney-style keyboards and harmonies. Together, they don’t just perform Queen — they become Queen.
This is not merely a tribute show. It’s a fully staged rock spectacle built for singalongs and goosebumps. Expect rich video backdrops tailored to Anita’s Theatre, dazzling lighting that dances off the venue’s art-deco lines, and crowd interaction that turns Thirroul into a choir. When the a cappella section of Bohemian Rhapsody blooms, you’ll feel the whole room lift. When We Will Rock You stomps into life, the floors shake. And as We Are the Champions rings out, the cliff-top spirit of the Illawarra feels like it’s singing right along.
The set is stacked with the anthems that define generations — Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Killer Queen, Another One Bites the Dust, Radio Ga Ga — delivered with breathtaking authenticity. And for the die-hards from Wollongong to Austinmer, each night also features rotating deep cuts: gems that keep the show fresh and give long-time fans the rare thrill of hearing songs seldom performed live.
2026 also marks 50 years since Queen first toured Australia. Rather than recreating a single tour, Queen Forever honours the full sweep of the catalogue — from the theatrical 70s to the stadium-sized 80s — performed at the scale and intensity the music deserves. It’s no wonder Queen Forever are widely regarded as hands down the most entertaining Queen tribute in the world.
Whether you’re reliving vinyl memories or introducing the next generation to real rock theatre, Anita’s Theatre is the perfect place to celebrate: intimate enough to feel every note, grand enough to hold every anthem. One night only in Thirroul — and it’s going to be massive.
Don’t miss Queen Forever’s Greatest Hits Tour – 20th Anniversary at Anita’s Theatre on Thursday 23 April 2026. Tickets are moving fast — secure yours now and be part of the celebration!