Casting is complete on the new musical with today’s news that Gary Sweet will play Muriel’s redneck, bullying father.

Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures have today announced that Gary Sweet has been cast as Muriel’s father Bill Heslop in the new musical based on PR Hogan’s iconic film Muriel’s Wedding.

When it was revealed in June that Maggie McKenna – the 20-year old daughter of comedian/actor Gina Riley (Kath & Kim) – had landed the starring role of Muriel, there were still several key roles left to cast. Since then, it has been announced that Madeleine Jones will play Muriel’s best friend Rhonda. Jones played the lead role of the Girl in the musical Once and joined the cast of the Australian musical Ladies in Black, directed by Simon Phillips for Queensland Theatre, for this year’s tour. Phillips also helms Muriel’s Wedding.

^{Gary Sweet plays Bill Heslop in Muriel’s Wedding The Musical. Photograph © Darren Leigh Roberts}

Now, the final piece of the casting jigsaw puzzle is in place with the news that Sweet will play Muriel’s father Bill Heslop, a corrupt councillor who cheats on his wife and bullies...