A Girl’s Guide to World War

by Katy Forde and Aleathea Monsour

Theatre Program 2025

Award-winning musical breaks new ground

Based on true events, “A Girl’s Guide to World War” follows the untold adventures of ‘lady doctors’ during World War 1.

This truly uplifting musical was the first regional musical to win “Best New Australian Work” at the Matilda Awards.

A Girl’s Guide to World War won two 2019 Matilda Awards:

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work (presented to writer Katy Forde and composer Aleathea Monsour)

The Best Supporting Actress Award (presented to Susie French for her role as Dr Lilian Cooper).

Aleathea Monsour, Susie French and Katy Forde at the Matilda Awards

Aleathea Monsour and Katy Forde winning the Matilda Award for Best New Australian Work

Katy Forde and Aleathea Monsour with their Matilda Award for Best New Australian Work - A Girl's Guide to World War

Our first tour!

We took “A Girl’s Guide to World War” on the road in 2025, and we had a blast! Thank you to everyone who came to see the show!

A Girl’s Guide to World War went on tour in 2025 and we had a blast! Check out reviews and feedback below. Our award-winning Aussie musical is the home-grown smash hit musical you won’t want to miss. Come meet the Aussie women who defied convention, and became decorated war heroes.

“A wonderfully uplifting work of inspiration and entertainment” – Blue Curtains
“This is the best show I have seen in forever. The story, songs, writing, stagecraft and directing are
all incredible and the performances are world-class. Don’t miss this show!” – Audience member

This Queensland musical won “Best New Australian Work” (Matilda Awards ).
Actress Susie French (Menopause the Musical, Mamma Mia) also took home “Best Supporting
Actress”. You’ll love her no-holds-barred performance as Queensland’s first female surgeon,
Dr Lilian Cooper (Queensland’s first female doctor).

Featuring the award-winning all-girl band Vix and the Slick Chix, “A Girl’s Guide to World
War” celebrates an untold story of bravery, courage and compassion in the chaos of war.

“Anyone who is thinking of going along MUST because if you don’t, you will regret it! A 10/10
evening.” – Audience member

Sell out shows!

Cheers!

Thank you to everyone who came to see the show on our tour. It means the world to us.

Ambulance Girls Staying Warm-Matilda Malone-Rachel Fentiman-Photo Credit_Luke Monsour - A Girl's Guide to World War - QPAC 2025

The Moncrieff - Bundaberg

Mojito

“So pleased Bundaberg was on the tour list. Absolutely brilliant such wonderful talent, music and true life story. Thank you for a night of special entertainment.”

Aleathea Monsour as Agnes Bennett with Susie French as Dr Lilian Cooper -Photo Credit_Luke Monsour

The Events Centre - Caloundra

Mojito

“We loved it again for our third and second time!

And our friends loved it on their first time too!”

AGGTWW_KolADance_PhotoCredit-LukeMonsour

Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre

Mojito

“It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in Gladstone. The whole production was incredible and the cast were amazing.“

AGGTWW -Aleathea Monsour as Dr Agnes Bennett - A Nearby Bomb Falls PhotoCredit Luke Monsour

The Brolga - Maryborough

Mojito

“Saw this tonight, was so great! Congratulations to cast, band and crew. What an amazing story and an amazing way to tell it!”

AGGTWW_DrunkenParty_PhotoCredit-LukeMonsour

QPAC - Brisbane

Mojito

“Absolutely magnificent and so deserving of a national tour… and perhaps a visit to London!”

Reviews

What did the critics think of the show?

Francis Whiting – The Courier Mail

“You know a show is very, very good when you can’t decide which part you liked best. You know the cast is very, very good when you can’t decide which performance you liked best.”

Kitty Goodall – Stage Whispers

“The harmonies in ensemble numbers shimmer with beauty … Monsour’s portrayal is quietly intense, and her focus and emotional range is magnetic.”

Meredith Walker – Blue Curtains

“A testament to female resilience and ingenuity, wrapped in song and laughter, and delivered with extraordinary care. This is theatre with purpose and passion.”

Audience Reviews

Here’s what our audience had to say about our show.

I cried, laughed and got goosebumps! I urge you to get a group of friends together to go and see this show. I promise they will thank you if you do!!

We loved it again for our third and second time, and our friends loved it on their first time too.

Absolutely brilliant such wonderful talent, music and true life story. Thank you for a night of special entertainment.

Those harmonies, those voices and lyrics are just so goosebumpily haunting! Your dedication for love to unite us all.

License the show

Guess what! “A Girl’s Guide to World War” is now available to license, with versions suitable for casts of 8 to 80! Stage the show with your own band, or use our performance-quality backing tracks, performed by the best Aussie musos in the land (we’re not biased)!

Find out more about licensing

Guitarist Vix Nightsinger playing guitar

Help us share the story of “A Girl’s Guide to World War” with audiences everywhere!

Would you like to help bring “A Girl’s Guide to World War” to audiences across Queensland and Australia?

We’d love your support! Click the button below to donate directly to the artists involved.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Become a supporter

Aleathea Monsour Composer and Katy Forde Writer Lyricist - A Girl's Guide to World War

About the show

‘A Girl’s Guide to World War’ is an original musical theatre production written by Aleathea Monsour (composer) and Katy Forde (book and lyrics).

This powerful, uplifting musical celebrates the untold stories of Australian women who served on the frontline during World War 1.

With toe-tapping music, a live band, and an emotional true story, ‘A Girl’s Guide to World War’ takes the audience from laughter to tears and back again.

The characters in the show are based on real women, including Dr Lilian Cooper (Queensland’s first female doctor, and a founding member of the RACQ) and her partner Miss Josephine Bedford (initiator of the first kindergarten in Australia).

A Girl's Guide to World War_The Ambulance Girls

Acknowledgements

Licensing

Applications are now open to license “A Girl’s Guide to World War”.

Queensland Tour 2025

We loved taking our show on the road in 2025. This venture would not be possible without the support we’ve received.

This licensing project would not be possible without the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

This project was supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.

It was also supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional Arts Development Fund..

We would also like to the Bundaberg Regional Arts Development Fund, the Redland City Council and Redland Performing Arts Centre.

Bundaberg Regional Council_black on transparent background

This tour was proudly supported by the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

This tour was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.

We would also like to thank The Events Centre, Caloundra.

MTA is proudly supported by the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation.

We’d love to talk to you about Australian musicals!