Chloe Halley proves herself a formidable triple threat, excelling in musical theatre, cabaret and comedy. In her debut solo performance Little Miss Typecast, she hilariously shares a behind-the-scenes look at life for an actor trapped in children’s roles. A singing, dancing bundle of energy, she ensures you never look at small-framed actors the same way again.

Directed by Dom Hennequin, with Associate Direction and creative consultancy by Dolly Diamond, Halley is laugh-out-loud funny as she takes the audience through the challenges her diminutive frame presents, from nailing auditions to jostling with the creative team and taking control of her roles, all while being repeatedly cast as an eight-year-old.

Drawing on songs from Broadway favourites Annie, The Sound of Music and Wicked, she gives “Defying Gravity” a whole new meaning, singing with both heart and humour. A cheeky little pocket rocket, Halley bursts with charisma and confidence. With superb singing, dancing and tap-dancing skills, she shines through her impeccable comedic timing and expressive character work.

It’s a high-energy performance that keeps the audience laughing throughout, particularly when the perpetually wholesome good girl attempts to break free of her typecast with a series of saucy moves that land perfectly.

Dressed in a pretty red gingham dress that could have come straight from a child’s wardrobe, her costume embraces the show’s playful aesthetic. This is echoed in the kooky set design, which features toy baskets, hanging child-sized dresses and headshots from her years as a child actor.

Feisty, forever positive and determined, Halley embodies a role drawn from her own life, explaining: “The show is based on my experiences in the entertainment industry, growing up but never growing out of child roles. I was inspired to create the show after completing a second season of Ruthless! The musical. Playing 8-year-old Tina Denmark… in my 20s I decided I wasn’t going to wait for someone to see me the way I saw myself, I was going to create a show.”

Her mantra may be “there are no small parts, only small actors”, but there is nothing small about this performance.

4 stars

Little Miss Typecast is playing at Substation, Qtopia in Darlinghurst Sydney until 12 June 2026.

For tickets visit Qtopia

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