MUSICAL: Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls - Ad Astra

Title: Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls

Presented By: Ad Astra

Genre: Musical Comedy

Synopsis: Set in a small outback Queensland town during the 1960s, Philip Dean’s Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls follows two deserted women, Vickie and Rae, whose shared love of Country and Western music brings them together despite their very different backgrounds.

Vickie is a conforming Catholic housewife, while Rae is a brash, hard-living barmaid. As they sing the songs of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and other country music legends, an unlikely friendship develops between them.

First produced at Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre in 1995, this witty and poignant Australian musical unfolds against a backdrop of feminism, contraception, conscription, the Vietnam War and changing social attitudes. At its heart, the story explores loneliness, connection and the universal fear of abandonment, combining humour and heartfelt emotion with a memorable country music soundtrack.

Performance Dates: June 11th - July 4th, 2026

Performance Times:

• Thursdays & Fridays - 8PM

• Saturdays - 2PM & 7:30PM

Performance Location and Address: Ad Astra Pluto, 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000

Ticket Costs:

• Adult - $55

• MEAA/Concession/Youth (17-30) - $35

• Child - $25

Ticket Link: Buy Tickets - Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls

Warnings:

• Adult themes

• References to abandonment and loneliness

• Historical references to war and social issues

Cast:

• Cheney Hossack

• Sarah Engelsmann

• Isabel Kruse

Creative Team:

• Playwright - Philip Dean

Production Website: Ad Astra - Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls

Other Information:

• Originally produced by La Boite Theatre in 1995, Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls is regarded as a distinctly Australian musical comedy that combines country music classics with a moving story of friendship and resilience.

• Special cast performances:

  • June 11th & July 2nd - Isabel Kruze performs the role of Rae

  • June 12th & 20th: Isabel Kruze performs the role of Vickie

• Ad Astra's Pluto Theatre is an intimate black box performance space located in Brisbane's Petrie Terrace arts precinct. Patrons requiring accessibility information, mobility access assistance or seating enquiries are encouraged to contact the venue prior to attending.