Paul Capsis is one of Australia’s most versatile performers. His extensive career has included theatre, live concerts, cabaret, television, and film. Paul has worked with many leading Australian theatre companies (STC, MTC, Malthouse Theatre, STCSA, and Company B Belvoir) and has performed in Vienna, Valletta, Hong Kong, London, Edinburgh, and New York. In 2021, Paul was able to perform in two original works at Sydney Festival: The Last Season for Force Majeure; and Rapture: a Song Cycle of Desire, Ecstasy, Murder and Mayhem directed by Michael Kantor and co-starring iOTA. The following year Paul performed in the Victorian Opera’s production of The Who’s Tommy and the Perth International Cabaret Festival.

In 2019, Paul captivated audiences with a sell-out season of his critically acclaimed show Paul Capsis with Jethro Woodward and the Fitzroy Youth Orchestra at Sydney Festival’s Spiegeltent and a sold-out season at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.  Paul’s other theatre credits include Barrie Kosky’s The Lost Echo (2006, STC) which earned him the 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Boulevard Delirium in Vienna and Australia, earning Paul the 2006 Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Concert Performer and the 2006 Green Room award for Best Cabaret Artiste for the Australian run.

Paul’s recent theatre credits include: The Lewis Trilogy (Griffin Theatre), The Chairs (The Old Fitz), La Cage Aux Folles (Concourse Theatre), Deep Blue Sea (STC), Lady Tabouli (Griffin Theatre), Resident Alien (45 Downstairs), Black Rider (Malthouse), Cabaret (Hayes Theatre and Athenaeum), Rumpelstiltskin (Windmill Theatre and Southbank Theatre London), The Wizard of Oz (Belvoir), Calpurnia Descending (Malthouse/STC), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Newtheatricals), and Angela’s Kitchen (Griffin Theatre) for which he won the 2012 Helpmann Awards for Best Male Actor and Best New Work.

Paul has also appeared in a variety of television shows and has performed on Q&A, My Favourite Album, In Siberia Tonight, The Sideshow, Sunday Arts, Spicks and Specks, Studio A with Simon Burke, Mornings with Kerry Anne, and was a guest presenter for the ABC’s Art Nation. More recently he has featured in the Netflix series Wellmania, the and the critically acclaimed miniseries Deep Water for SBS and Black Fella Films.

Paul’s film credits include Ana Kokkinos’ 1998 film Head On which won him the 1998 Film Critics Circle Awards for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for an AFI Award in the same category. Other film credits include Love is Now, Carlotta, The Boy Castaways, Justin Kurzel’s The True History Of The Kelly Gang; the upcoming films Body Blow by writer/director Dean Francis, Adam Elliot’s Memoir of a Snail, and as Writing Consultant for Amanda Blue’s in-development feature Agrippina.

Paul’s other awards include the 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award, the 2004 Green Room Award for Best Cabaret Artiste, and the 2002 Helpmann Award for Best Live Musical Presentation for Capsis vs Capsis at the Sydney Opera House.

Theatre

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Role: Slank/Hawking Clam. Dir: David Morton, Dead Puppet Society | Canberra Theatre Centre, 2024
THE LEWIS TRILOGY
Role: Ensemble. Dir: Declan Greene, Griffin Theatre Company | SBW Stables Theatre, 2024
THE CHAIRS
Role: The Old Woman. Dir: Gale Edwards, Red Line Productions | The Old Fitz, 2023
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Role: Albin. Dir. Riley Spadaro | The Concourse Theatre 2023
THE WHO’S TOMMY
Role: The Gypsy. Dir. Roger Hodgman | Victorian Opera 2022
BOOMKAK PANTO
Role: Guest Appearance. Dir: Richard Carroll | Belvoir 2021
THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY
Role: Camila Perichole. Dir: Chris Drummond, Brink Productions | STCSA 2021
THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Role: Mr Miller. Dir: Paige Rattray | Sydney Theatre Company 2020
DE PROFUNDIS
Role: Reader. Redline Productions 2019
ONE ON ONE
Role: Reader. Redline Productions 2019
LADY TABOULI
Role: Performer. Dir: Dino Dimitriadis. Griffin Theatre Company 2019
RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Role: Rumpelstiltskin. Dir: Rosemary Myers. Windmill, Adelaide and UK shows 2019
RESIDENT ALIEN
Role: Quentin Crisp. Dir: Gary Abrahams. Cameron Lukey Presents 2018
GOOD OMENS
Role: Hastur, Voice of Satan. Dir: Jay James-Moody. Squabbalogic 2017
THE BLACK RIDE
Role: Various. Dir: Matthew Lutton. Malthouse Theatre 2017
ANGELA’S KITCHEN
Role: Angela. Dir: Julian Meyrick. Malta Int Festival of the Arts 2017
CABARET
Role: Emcee. Dir: Nicholas Christo. Hayes & Athenaeum Theatre 2017
RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Role: Rumpelstiltskin. Dir: Rosemary Myers. Windmill & STCSA 2016
RESIDENT ALIEN
Role: Quentin Crisp. Dir: Gary Abrahams. Cameron Lukey Presents 2016
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Role: Lion. Dir: Adena Jacobs. Company B Belvoir 2015
PINOCCHIO
Role: Stromboli. Dir: Rosemary Myers. Windmill Theatre Co. 2015
LITTLE BIRD
Role: Wren. Dir: Geordie Brookman. Arts Centre Melbourne 2014
CALPURNIA DESCENDING
Role: Beverly Dumont. Dir: Declan Greene. Malthouse/STC 2014
THREEPENNY OPERA
Role: Jenny. Dir: Michael Kantor. STC 2011
DIE WINTERREISE
Role: Jenny. Dir: Julian Meyrick. Malthouse Theatre 2011
ANGELA’S KITCHEN
Role: Angela. Dir: Julian Meyrick. Griffin Theatre 2010
ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER
Role: Agrado. Dir: Simon Phillips. Melbourne Theatre Co 2010
THREEPENNY OPERA
Role: Jenny. Dir: Michael Kantor. Adelaide Festival of the Arts 2010
JULIA ZEMIRO’S COMFORT ZONE
Role: Performer. Adelaide Festival of the Arts 2010
BURLESQUE HOUR – LEGENDS!
Role: Performer. 45 Downstairs 2009
A COMPANY OF STRANGERS
Role: Performer. Adelaide Fringe Festival/Brisbane Festival 2009
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
Role: Riff Raff. Dir: Gale Edwards. Newtheatricals 2008
TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS
Role: Grandmother. Dir: Jean-Pierre Mignon. STC 2007
ABSINTHE
Role: Performer. New York debut for Spiegelworld 2007
THE LOST ECHO
Role: Performer. Dir: Barrie Kosky. STC 2006
THREE FURIES
Role: Performer. Dir: Jim Sharman. Perth & Adelaide Festival 2006
BOULEVARD DELIRIUM
Role: Solo Performer. Dir: Barrie Kosky. Malthouse Theatre/SOH/Vienna 2005
THYESTES
Role: Performer. Dir: Ben Winspear. STC 2004
VOLPONE
Role: Castrone. Dir: Marion Potts. STC 2002
CAN WE AFFORD THIS/THE COST OF LIVING
Role: Performer. Dir: Lloyd Newson. DV8 / Seymour Centre 2000
THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI
Role: Performer. Dir: Simon Phillips. Melbourne Theatre Company 1999
CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
Role: Narrator. Dir: Bertolt Brecht. Company B Belvoir 1998
THE BURLESQUE TOUR
Role: Performer. Dir: Barrie Kosky 1998
PLAYGROUNDS
Role: Performer. Dir: Penny Arcade. STC 1996
SYDNEY STORIES
Role: Performer. Sydney Theatre Company 1995
THE EMERALD ROOM
Role: Performer. State Theatre Company of South Australia 1994
THE WEDDING SONG
Role: Performer. Dir: Jim Sharman, NIDA 1994
FROGS
Role: Performer. Dir: Geoffrey Rush. Company B Belvoir 1992
THE COCKROACH OPERA
Role: Performer. Company B Belvoir 1992
THE LADY IS A CAMP
Role: Performer. Company B Belvoir 1992
ST ROSE OF LIMA
Role: Performer. Sydney Festival 1992

Cabaret & Concerts

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH PAUL CAPSIS
Ensemble Theatre 2019
PAUL CAPSIS WITH JETHRO WOODWARD
AND THE FITZROY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2019
Sydney Festival 2019
Live at MEMO 2018
MARDI GRAS
Hordern Pavilion 2019
UP CLOSE & INTIMATE
Darlinghurst Theatre Company 2018
MARDI GALA
Sydney Opera House 2018
FAUX MO-MO FO
Hobart Tasmania 2018
FROM VIENNA WITH LOVE
Sydney Opera House with Conchita Wurst and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2016
Glen Eira Town Hall, Caulfield Victoria 2015
Auckland Cabaret Festival, Auckland Town Hall 2015
JOE’S PUB – ROCKIN ROLL FANTASY
Joe’s Pub. New York 2015
WEIMAR NEW YORK
Joe’s Pub. New York MC 2015
Spiegeltent. Hunter Valley 2015
River, Bard College 2015
Summer Scape New York MC 2015
MELT FESTIVAL  
Powerhouse Theatre Brisbane 2015
505 CLUB SURRY HILLS    
Cleveland Street Surry Hills 2015
SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL
Whitehorse Hotel Surry Hills 2014
TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND
Hobart Tasmania 2014
HONG KONG FRINGE CLUB
Hong Kong Central 2013
SONGS OF WRECK AND RUIN
The Forum Melbourne
ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL
The Festival Theatre
LA SOIREEE
The Sydney Opera House
ART GALLERY
Perth
FESTIVAL OF VOICES
Hobart Tasmania
CANBERRA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Street Theatre Canberra
ARTS CENTRE – WHAT I SAY          
Spiegeltent Melbourne
LA SOIREE – THE ROUNDHOUSE CAMDEN
London UK
MAKE ME A KING
Arts Centre Melbourne/Her 2011
Majesties Theatre Perth 2011
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2011
QPAC Brisbane/The Basement Sydney 2011
PAUL CAPSIS: SONGS OF LOVE & DEATH
Melbourne International Jazz 2010
PAUL CAPSIS
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Australia Day, Festival of Australian Voices 2010
THE CAPSIS EXPERIENCE
Taranaki International Arts 2009
THE CAPSIS EXPERIENCE
The Noosa Long Weekend Festival 2009
THE CAPSIS EXPERIENCE
The Street Theatre, Canberra 2009
PAUL CAPSIS
Dungog Film Festival Gala Opening 2009
THE CAPSIS EXPERIENCE
The Vanguard, Newtown
PAUL CAPSIS IN CONCERT: EVERYBODY
WANTS TO TOUCH ME
Enmore Theatre 2007
PAUL CAPSIS
Malthouse Theatre Cabaret Season 2007
CAPSIS THROUGH THE RED DOOR
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2007
THE VANGUARD 
Sell out Season, Newtown 2007
TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND FESTIVAL
Tasmania 2007
THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT
Festival Of Sydney 2006
BRISBANE CABARET FESTIVAL
Brisbane 2006
THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT           
Brisbane Music 2006
THE TOLARNO GALLERIES
‘LUMINOUS’ TOUR
Melbourne Arts Centre And Angel Place and The Sydney Opera House Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director
PAUL CAPSIS IN CONCERT
Angel Place City Recital Hall with Aron Ottignon Trio and Café Of The Gate Of Salvation Choir 2003
THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT           
Melbourne International Festival with Aron Ottignon 2003
THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Aron Ottignon 2003
CAPSIS
Playhouse, Sydney Opera House 2003
THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT
Melbourne International Festival with Aron Ottignon 2002
CAPSIS VS CAPSIS
The Studio, Sydney Opera House 2001
SPOOFED UP
Civic Hotel Sydney 2001
ALIVE
Perth International Festival of The Arts, The Arts/ Millennium Hotel, Kings Cross/ Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Arts Centre Adelaide 2001
ALIVE
Stoli Bar, Sydney Festival, Blackbox, Victorian Arts Centre 2000
ALIVE
Metro, Sydney Opera House 1999
WHOLE LOTTA CAPSIS
Queer Up North, Manchester, UK, Glendi Festival, Darwin Norpa’s ’98 Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, Salamanca Theatre Hobart, Sydney Cabaret Convention, Wellington Festival, NZ 1998
WHOLE LOTTA CAPSIS
Edinburgh Festival, Scotland 1997
BURNING SEQUINS                         
Adelaide Comedy Festival, Hong Kong Fringe Festival, Auckland 1997
PAUL CAPSIS IN CONCERT
The Metro, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1997
BURNING SEQUINS
The Malthouse, Midsummer Festival, State Theatre, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Edinburg Festival, Scotland 1996
BURNING SEQUINS
La Boite, Brisbane, The Clarendon, Blue Mountains 1995
A PACK OF DIVAS             
Wild Nights of Zimbabwe 1994
BURNING SEQUINS
Tilbury Hotel, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1994
A PACK OF DIVAS
Melbourne, Hong Kong Festival, Sydney 1994
A PACK OF DIVAS
New York, Los Angeles, Melbourne 1993
CABARET AT THE WHARF
Sydney 1993
IN THE PINK THEATRE CO.
Black Market, Sydney 1993
THE LADY IS A CAMP                      
Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1992

Awards & Nominations

ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL ICON AWARD – Winner (2021)
ACON Winner – Media, Arts And Entertainment Honour Awards (2013)
HELPMANN AWARDS Winner – Best Actor in a Lead Role for Angela’s Kitchen (2012)
HELPMANN AWARDS Winner – Best New Work for Angela’s Kitchen (2012)
SIDNEY MYER FUND Individual Award (2010)
HELPMANN AWARDS Winner – Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Lost Echo (2007)
HELPMANN AWARDS Winner – Best Australian Contemporary Concert for Boulevard Delirium (2006)
GREEN ROOM AWARDS Winner – Best Cabaret Artist (2004)
HELPMANN AWARDS Winner – Best Live Music Presentation for Capsis Vs Capsis (2002)
FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD Winner – Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for Head On (1998)
AFI AWARDS Nomination – Best Supporting Actor for Head On (1998)

Television

WELLMANIA
Role: Rockie Freene. Dir: Helena Brooks & Erin White, Freemantle Media / Netflix 2022
JOY BOY
Role: PS. Dir: Johnny Hawkins/Stef Smith 2018
EUROVISION
Role: Self. SBS 2017
DEEP WATER
Role: Amanda. Dir: Shawn Seet. Blackfella Films/SBS 2016
OETRY (Online Project)
Role: Self. Online
GANGSTER DRAG
Role: Self. Metro Screen 2016
Q&A
Role: Self. ABC 2015
EUROVISION
Role: Self. ABC 2014
STUDIO AT THE MEMO WITH TIM ROGERS
Role: Self. Foxtel 2013
I LUV YOU BUT…(Web Series)
Role: Receptionist. Dir: Fadia Abboud. Suitcase Films 2012
ART NATION
Role: Guest presenter. ABC
THE SIDESHOW
Role: Self. ABC 2007
MY FAVOURITE ALBUM
Role: Self. ABC
SPICKS & SPECKS
Role: Self. ABC 2005
IN SIBERIA TONIGHT
Role: Self. ABC 2004
STUDIO A WITH SIMON BURKE
Role: Self. Foxtel
PAUL CAPSIS LIVE AT THE BASEMENT
Role: Self. ABC 2004
FRED MACAULEY’S EDINBURGH FRINGE
Role: Performer. TV Scotland
TREFFPUNKT KULTUR
Role: Self. ORF 2 Austria
EUROVISION
Role: Co-host/performer. SBS TV 2001
PIZZA
Role: Quilty. Dir: Paul Fenech. SBS TV 2001
CRASH PALACE
Role: Actor. Fox 8 2001
THE KATE AND JULIA SHOW
Role: Actor. Arena
THE ARTS SHOW
Role: Self. ABC
GOOD NEWS WEEK NIGHT LITE
Role: Self. Network Ten 1999
DENISE
Role: Self. Seven Network
THE JOINT
Role: Self. Foxtel
HEY HEY IT’S SATURDAY
Role: Self. Channel 9
THE GARY MCCORMACK SHOW
Role: Self. NZ TV
GOOD MORNING NEW ZEALAND
Role: Self. NZ TV
MCFEAST Mardi Gras Special
Role: Self. ABC
EXPRESS
Role: Self. ABC
STRETTON IN SATURDAY
Role: Self. ABC
EDINBURGH NIGHTS
Role: Performer. BBC TV
TALKING TELEVISION
Role: Self. Seven Network
MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Role: Self. Network Ten
GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA
Role: Self. Network Ten
DENTON
Role: Self. Seven Network
GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA
Role: Self. Network Ten
LIVE AND SWEATY
Role: Self. ABC

Film

MEMOIR OF A SNAIL (Animation)
Role: Ian and Narelle. Dir: Adam Elliot. Arena Media | Madman Entertainment, 2024
PLEASURE SEEKING (Short Film)
Role: Nurse Benjamin. Dir: Michaela Holmes, Scrunchie Films | 2024
BODY BLOW
Role: Fat Frankie. Dir: Dean Francis, Breathless Films | 2023
TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG
Role: Vera Robinson. Dir: Justin Kurzel, Punk Spirit Productions Pty Ltd | 2018
LOVE IS NOW
Role: Paulie. Dir: Jim Lounsbury. Cubic Films| Eponine Films, 2014
CARLOTTA (Telemovie)
Role: Stefan. Dir: Samantha Lang. ABC | 2014
THE BOY CASTAWAYS
Role: Nico. Dir: Michael Kantor. Arenamedia 2013
OSCAR’S FIRST KISS (Short)
Role: Actor. Dir: Toby Angwin. Soup Kitchen Productions 2010
YAWN OF THE CENTURY (Short)
Role: Actor. Dir: Kym Druitt. Eat Carpet/ABC TV
HEAD ON
Role: Johnny/Toula. Dir: Ana Kokkinos. AFFC 1998
LET ME DIE AGAIN (Short)
Role: The Diva. Dir: Leonie Knight. Suitcase Films Pty Ltd 1995