Harrison Riley. Photo supplied
COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is an immersive theatrical event blending musical theatre and world-class circus acts. Set under the Big Top, it reimagines iconic hits like "This Is Me" and "A Million Dreams" with gravity-defying aerial feats, acrobatics, and live vocals. After a smash-hit debut in the UK and rave reviews in London, the blockbuster production is finally Down Under.
The show is fully approved by the creators of the 2017 movie starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron and Zendaya, and brings the world of The Greatest Showman to life with a massive cast, incredible choreography and jaw-dropping circus performances.
You can expect soaring acrobatics, heart-pounding stunts and show-stopping musical numbers. Meanwhile, the entire space transforms into an immersive circus world. With a seasoned creative team and performers from leading circus and theatre productions, and Matinee sessions on the weekends for families, Come Alive! delivers pure joy, spectacle and wonder for a day out you will never forget.
Harrison is playing 'Tex the Cowboy' in the production, however, this is not his first rodeo in musical theatre.
Born in Sydney in 1999, Harrison has had a passion for the stage since he can remember, with a focus on musical theatre. He started formal vocal and acting lessons at the age of 14 and has been grabbing every opportunity to perform since. Harrison’s first production was in the ensemble of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2015. Since then, he has been dedicated to learning the art of performance in various musical society productions including The Little Mermaid (ensemble), Honk, as 'Turkey', Sweeney Todd, as 'Anthony' and Wicked as 'Boq'.
Whilst successfully completing his HSC in 2017 he continued to perform in the role of Michael in Be More Chill, appeared in Stoddart Entertainment’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical, in the role of ‘Jake’, CDP Kids Dog Man: The Musical as ‘Dog Man’, 78-Storey Treehouse as ‘Andy’, and The Gruffalo’s Child as ’The Gruffalo’. Harrison’s credits also include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Michael Cassel Group), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Gordon Frost Organisation) where he performed the role of ‘Mike Teavee’.
Pittwater Online recently had a chat with Harrison about his latest role and the challenges of undertaking a year long production and touring schedule.
How would you classify yourself – as an actor, musical theatre proponent or ?
I am an actor and singer mainly.
Why did you want to get into this? What was the spark?
The spark was the music. Growing up, I never liked the songs playing on the radio, and found them all quite dull. That was till I found a music theatre album and my relationship with music changed forever, as did what I wanted to do as a career.
What education and training did you undertake to enable entrance into this field?
After school I would go to classes. Mostly singing and music theatre. They were my favourite parts of the week. After high school, I enrolled in a university for screen acting. After two months, an audition for a lead role In a major touring musical came up. I quit university to focus on the audition and booked it, changing my life forever.
Tex the Cowboy – what are the challenges associated with undertaking this role? Do you have empathy or understanding of the character?
Tex is a lot of fun. He’s a wired rat at the best and worst of times. He’s always looking for trouble with a wide silver toothed grin. The challenges are definitely the makeup. It takes me about an hour to get ready, applying the tattoos, scars, bruises, and silver teeth is quite a long process, but it's so worth it once the whole look comes together, to make someone not so threatening, suddenly a wild Texan local.
This is a gruelling challenge to be spot on – and then there’s a tour which runs into 2027. How do you maintain equilibrium and fitness off stage to be at your best when the show is on?
Mental health is imperative to keeping your work life balance in check. A big thing I find helps is living a life outside of the theatre (or tent in this case). It's easy to think you can’t go out for drinks or see your friends because you want to save your energy for the show, but what that does is melt your brain, making your life at the theatre the only one. As my friend Olivia (who plays the Snake Charmer) would say, “Human beings are not made out of glass”.
Do you hope to continue working in this field?
Absolutely. I’ve always loved singing and acting. It’s been a dreamy 9 years in the professional industry so far, and here’s hoping to many more.
Growing up on the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula – what did you do for fun?
The beach was a must, but also playing video games and board games with my friends. Nothing beats sitting in the backroom as the waves crash nearby while you’re having a laugh with your mates.
What are your favourite moments of playing 'Tex' in COME ALIVE and what form does that play take?
A great moment in the show where I get to play is the audience participation section, right before the Finale. The audience gets to hear the 4 singers speak to them directly for the first time, and the look of shock when they hear a silver toothed Texan speak in a southern drawl never gets old. As a kind fan of the show told me ‘it’s the final piece of the puzzle of your costume. A thick southern accent and dangerous humour’
Harrison as 'Text' Photo: SAK Productions
What is your ‘motto for life’ or a favourite phrase you try to live by?
‘Human beings are not made of glass’. Something I try to live by daily when on a contract like this.
Any sign off words you’d like in?
I can’t wait for people to see the show. Please feel free to come say hi, and know a boy from the beaches is tearing up the big stage.
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COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Where: The Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, The Showring
When: Tuesday 19 May to Sunday 8 August
- Tuesdays to Thursdays, 7pm to 10:30pm
- Fridays, 7:30pm to 11pm
- Saturdays, 2:30pm to 10:30pm
- Sundays, 1pm to 9:30pm
- Nightly Tuesday - Sunday (Matinees Sat @ 2:30pm and Sun @1pm)
Sydney Tickets here: www.entertainmentquarter.com.au/visit/come-alive-the-greatest-showman-sydney
COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular 2026/27 Australian Dates:
- Sydney – From 19 May 2026, at the Entertainment Quarter
- Perth – From 28 August 2026, at Ozone Reserve
- Adelaide – From 29 October 2026, at the Morphettville Racecourse
- Brisbane – From 24 Dec 2026, at Royal Queensland Golf Course
- Melbourne – 25 Feb 2027, at Caulfield Racecourse
Photo: SAK Productions