A New Zealand underdog who became an Australian icon during the Great Depression, developing from ungainly horse into legendary champion against a backdrop of greed, back-stabbing, betting scandals and attempted murder, before succumbing to an untimely death.

Phar Lap’s rags-to-riches story is full of drama. But fodder for a new Australian musical? With actors playing horses that hoof around and chat (and more besides) with humans?

It sounds a stretch, but Steven Kramer was convinced that an all-singing, all-dancing production was the way to go.

Justin Smith and Joel Granger in Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical. Photo © John McRae

As he writes in the program notes, “There have been books, films and a permanent Melbourne Museum exhibit … but one burning question has remained: could he belt a high A?”

Therein lies the wonderfully bonkers approach that Kramer has taken in his first major musical, Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical, now premiering at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Co.

Featuring book, music and lyrics by Kramer, it’s completely daft, deliciously funny, incredibly sweet and wildly entertaining – an odds-on favourite to sell out as soon as it leaves the starting gates.

While...