Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Playhouse will welcome back Soft Tread Enterprises’ one-hander play about Paul Keating, The Gospel According to Paul, from 18 to 23 August 2026.
Written and performed by one of Australia’s favourite performers, Jonathon Biggins, The Gospel According to Paul’s poignant portrait of Paul Keating has sold out venues since its premiere in 2019. A comedic one-man-show depicting the man who single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia - as he tells it - Biggins personifies the compelling and enigmatic 24th Prime Minister of Australia with intellect, ego and wit.
No stranger to the comedic impression of one of Australia’s most influential and divisive politicians, Biggins is renowned for starring as ‘Paul Keating’ in The Wharf Revue, his co-creation with Phil Scott and Drew Forsythe. Originally created for Sydney Theatre Company, the long-running series concluded its eminent 25 year run in 2025.
Biggins’ performance in The Gospel According to Paul vaunts both the arrogance and charm of the Labor Party politician, while delving deep into the weeds of the formidable Keating's career and his ambitious-Bankstown-boy-to-divisive-political-titan backstory. Audiences traverse through Keating’s key career milestones, including his successful campaign for Member for Blaxland at age 25 in 1969, to his eventual takeover from Bob Hawke for the Labor Party leadership, becoming Prime Minister in 1991.
Boasting a national tour, the 2026 production brings fresh takes on Keating’s recent media moments and zeitgeist zingers, building on the almost cult-like status it has earned. Over the years, audiences continue to return again and again to see Biggins come to life as Keating, in what is undoubtedly a unique account of a transformative time in Australian political history.
Biggins, who has performed The Gospel According to Paul for over seven years, shares why Australians resonate so deeply with this retelling.
“Love him or hate him, you knew the impact Paul Keating had on the Australian economic and social landscape if you lived through his leadership in the 1990s.
“The infamous 1992 Redfern Speech, Superannuation Guarantee, Native Title Legislation and strengthening of Asia-Pacific relations are all acts and events we still reap the benefits of today. As Australians, we love nostalgia, quick wit and colour – that's why we continue to love Paul Keating’s story”, Biggins shared.
Tickets are on sale from 9am AEST on Thursday, 30 April 2026 – find out more at qpac.com.au or via 136 246.
Learn more about this performance
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