Melbourne is iconic and one of the most populated cities in Australia. It is quite popular for so many different things, like delicious food, mixed culture, and the finest places to visit. However, one of the most incredible things that Melbourne has a high reputation for is theatre and musicals. If you are the type of person who loves to watch epic theatre shows and enjoy great musical performances, then this is the best place for you.
Melbourne welcomes you with open arms to the world of lights, curtains, and action. It has multiple theatrical productions, and each one of them has a high reputation for providing the viewers with some of the best plays. People from all over the place come to this city to witness the amazing performances. This city is especially perfect for people who have a dream to become an actor, as watching the amazing shows will not only be entertaining but also provide them with the perfect opportunity to watch and learn from other actors performing in the theatre.
Here, we will provide you with complete information like the names and details about the fabulous upcoming shows, along with the location to watch, how to book tickets, the release date, and other information that will help you, your friends, or your family to plan. So get ready, as you surely do not want to miss out on any of the spectacular shows that are mentioned down below.
1. What Was That?
This is an amazing play that is based on the true stories of a 19th-century wealthy family named the Chirnside family. It is completely packed with thrills and the perfect combination of horror and comedy. There are two main characters in this play: the head maid named ‘Maggie’ and the head butler named ‘Mr. Ducan.’ These characters are played by two very talented actors who tell you the story and guide you through the mysterious mansion. As the story continues from one room to another, the thrill increases. Every person, from the backstage crew to the actors, has done such amazing work that it will make you feel like you are back in the time of the 1908s and inside the house of the Chirnside family. The story revolves around Mary Chirnside, a member of the Chirnside family, who tragically died in a horrific accident. After her death, the people in the mansion started to experience haunted things. Everything in this play will make you question, What was that?
Where to Watch: You can watch this spooky drama at Werribee Park Mansion, Gate 2 K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rGmdLFqZooDpKyqx6
Ticket Booking: Hurry up and book your tickets for the show at Night Theatre at Werribee Mansion.
https://www.essencetheatre.productions/what-was-that-booking-page
Release Time: This epic show happens on selected Fridays and every Saturday and Sunday (Times: 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm)
Enquire Here: For more queries, you can contact them at (04) 3969 0091.
2. The State
The State is a show about four states that are ruled by four women who dress like men to be the king. Each one of them is extremely concerned about their appearance and the way they look and dress. These fake kings answer to a mysterious, shadowy character that has so much power and influence over everything that it is considered untouchable. This play shows that the mining equipment is a wreck, and they charge fines for even the smallest things. The democracy of the states is collapsing, and then there’s our young protagonist named ‘Flung,’ who is quite an optimist, and he is out on the journey to find his mother. This drama shows the ridiculous disasters that are done by a gang of extreme leftists named the Common Dog F***s (CDF). Will Flung be able to find his mother and save the nation from the evil kings? To know the answer, you need to watch the play.
Where to Watch: Visit the TW Explosives Factory, 67 Inkerman St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia to witness this amazing play.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/B6Pzf684k3Ksdau89
Ticket Booking: You can book your tickets to watch this show here
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-state-tickets-774946173867?aff=oddtdtcreator
Release Time: It will start on Wednesday, 31st July 2024, and the last show will be held on 10th August 2024 (Times: 7:30 pm – 9 pm).
Enquire Here: If you have any questions, feel free to call them on (03) 9534 3388
3. Elvis: A Musical Revolution
Elvis Presley is a rockstar and is considered a cultural icon whose songs and music have a great impact on the musical world. Elvis: A Musical Revolution has lots of fans of all age groups because of its popularity and high demand. If you are a fan of Elvis, this is your big chance to see his rocking and rolling concert on a big screen in Melbourne. Elvis has a high reputation for giving 40 hit songs and has also won not one or two but three Grammy awards. He won the first award in 1967 for Best Inspirational Performance; the second Grammy was for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which he won in 1971. He managed to win another Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance in the year 1973. Elvis has not only entertained but inspired many people with his great songs like Jailhouse, That’s All Right, Hound Dog, All Shook Up, and many more.
Where to Watch: To watch this amazing musical show, you need to go to the Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uNhnX1a6RLpRLQy99
Ticket Booking: Reserve your seat by booking the tickets on
https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/
Release Time: The first show will be on Saturday, 27th July 2024 and the last show will happen on Sunday 11th August 2024 (Performances Timings: 1 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm)
Enquire Here: For any kind of inquiries, call at (03) 9650 1500
4. The Importance Of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy play that was originally written by Oscar Wilde. This is a vintage play and was first performed in London at the St James’s Theatre on 14 February 1895. The story of this play is incredibly funny, as it revolves around two men named Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing. Both of them take the identity of fictional men to name Earnest. The play gets even more interesting when they both fall in love with two girls named Gwendolen and Cecily. While Jack pretends to be Earnest and starts to live a double life to be with Gwendolen, Algernon pretends to be Earnest and the brother of Jack to win the heart of Cecily. On the other hand, Gwendolen falls in love with Jack, but she thinks that his name is Earnest, and Cecily falls in love with Algernon, but she also thinks that his name is Earnest. The confusion between the names in this love story of two couples is sure to make you laugh your heart out.
Where to Watch: You can watch this play on fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wytSrVrutAjndgSn6
Ticket Booking: Secure your seat to watch this show: https://fortyfivedownstairs.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/117601
Release Time: The series will start on Thursday 1st August 2024 and will continue till Sunday 11th August 2024
Enquire Here: For more information, you can contact (03) 9662 9966
5. SLAP. BANG. KISS.
SLAP. BANG. KISS. is a short, one-hour show that is written by a well-known playwright named Dan Giovannoni and is directed by Katy Maudlin. The story of this play was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards in 2021. SLAP. BANG. KISS. is quite an entertaining show that displays the story of three individuals. One character named Immi has become a bit famous because of her viral video in which she slapped a security officer. Another character is Sofa, who made a bang as her speech made a piece of international news when she talked about the victims of the school shooting. Lastly, the character named Daniel is trying to make a world record for the longest kiss. What will happen to these young people, and how will the story turn out for them? To know more about it, watch the show.
Where to Watch: This show will be held at Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd, Parkdale VIC 3195, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gNp3e6DNUrKTZTc49
Ticket Booking: Do not miss this opportunity and book your seat in advance at
https://www.kingstonarts.com.au/Whats-On/all-events/slap-bang-kiss
Release Time: This is a one-time show and will only happen on Friday 16th August 2024 (Times: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Enquire Here: You can solve your queries by calling (03) 9556 4440
6. A Streetcar Named Desire
A Streetcar Named Desire is an outstanding drama written by Tennessee Williams. A very talented director, Anne-Louise Sarks, has taken the duty to showcase this masterpiece to the world. The lead actress is Nikki Shiels, who plays the role of the main character of the play Blanche DuBois. This play shows how a Southern belle is struggling to fight for her dreams and failing again and again. With her broken dreams and dark nightmares, she visited her sister Stella, who lives in a cramped apartment with her husband Stanley Kowalski, who has personality issues and rapid changes in his mood. Stella works as a newsreader at Michelle Lim Davidson, and Stanley is a The Dressmaker’s Mark Leonard Winter, and their marriage has not been a good one. Blanche’s surprise visit makes things worse as the tension between Stella and Stanley increases and some dark secrets are revealed. What will happen next, and what are the dark secrets? Watch the show to get the answers.
Where to Watch: You can watch this amazing drama at Playhouse, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vXKnm6PnHJvzN65d6
Ticket Booking: Quickly book your tickets for the show
https://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/whats-on/season-2024/a-streetcar-named-desire
Release Time: This show was started on Tuesday 9th July 2024 and is still going till Saturday 17th August 2024 (Times: 8.00 pm to 10.30 pm)
Enquire Here: if you have any questions, feel free to contact them at (03) 9281 8317
7. WICKED | The Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz
If you have seen The Wizard of Oz, then you should definitely watch Wicked. This show is so incredible that it has managed to win more than 100 big awards, including the Grammy Awards. It has also won not one but three Tony Awards. Wicked is considered a total success, so you can imagine how great the story will be. The story has plenty of mixed emotions that can make you excited, laugh, and cry. Just like the name suggests, this play shows the untold story of the Land of Oz. Before the arrival of Dorothy, there was another young woman with green skin. She was smart, passionate, and talented, but because of her skin colour, she was misunderstood by people. On the other hand, there was a blonde girl who was quite popular. As soon as they meet, a rivalry begins between them, but they end up becoming friends. However, things take turns when people start calling the blond girl “Good” and the green girl “Wicked”.
Where to Watch: Know about the untold story at Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nadWv3f11NZLfg43A
Ticket Booking: It is a must-watch show so hurry up and book the tickets https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=WICKED24
Release Time: It has been going on since Wednesday 6th March 2024 and will end on Sunday 25th August 2024.
Enquire Here: For more information contact (03) 9299 9990
8. Dog Man: The Musical
Dog Man: The Musical is the perfect show for little kids to watch during the school holidays. The story is about a hero who is half human and half dog, as he has the head of the body of a human called the Dog Man. This character is one of the most beloved characters of Dav Pilkey, and now this character has been turned into a live musical performance that you can watch with your kids. The music for this play is by Brad Alexander. Dogman works as a police officer who stops crimes and protects the people of the city. During his adventures, he comes across big enemies like Flippy, who is a cyborg fish and has a big army of Beasty Buildings, and Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who cloned himself to take revenge against the dog man. Will the Dog Man be able to stop these evil masterminds? To know more, you will need to go and see this entertaining show.
Where to Watch: Enjoy the amazing performance at Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uNhnX1a6RLpRLQy99
Ticket Booking: Book your ticket so you don’t regret missing out on the show
https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/
Release Time: The first show will occur on Thursday 26th September 2024 and the last show will be on Sunday 29th September 2024. (Times: 10:00 am-11:05 am, 12:00 pm-1:05 pm, 1:00-2:05 pm, 4:00-5:05 pm, 6:00-7:05 pm)
Enquire Here: For more details, call at 9650 1500
9. Disney's Beauty And The Beast: The Musical
Every person must have heard about the story Beauty and the Beast. It is a classical story of how a beautiful girl and a ferocious beast fall in love with each other. Many movies have been made from animation to real life. But now Disney has come up with a brand new production; it invites everyone to come and watch the amazing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The Musical. You, along with your friends and family, can now enjoy watching this timeless tale in an entertaining dancing and musical way, live on a stage. This reimagined production is surely breathtaking and will be a great experience for all of you, especially for the new generation. This musical play has spectacular songs by Alan Menken, Tim Rice, and Howard Ashman. You will get to see some great performances on songs like Belle, Human Again, Gaston, and Be Our Guest. Reading the story is nice, and watching a movie is great, but nothing could be better than watching the story live on the stage.
Where to Watch: To watch this amazing love story, you need to visit Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DVmy3p62wnqhXfWu9
Ticket Booking: Secure your seat before it all gets sold out
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BEAUTY24&irgwc=1
Release Time: This drama was started on Thursday 27th June 2024 and will continue until Sunday 24th November 2024.
Enquire Here: For more queries, you can contact them at (03) 8643 3300.
In a Nutshell
Whether you are a local or a tourist, if you have a love for theatres and musicals, then Melbourne is just the place for you. You, along with your friends and family, can go out and explore the amazing shows that have been mentioned above. Each of them is absolutely amazing like the the spooky play, What was that? and the comedy-drama The Importance of Being Earnest to the emotion-packed story of Wicked and the true love story of Beauty and the Beast. These shows will be perfect entertainment. Be prepared to watch the live performance and have the experience of a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first theatre in Melbourne?
The first theatre in Melbourne was the Royal Victoria Theatre. The structure of this theatre was made from lumber and was located on the borders of the Eagle Tavern. This theatre was also called the Pavillion and was started in the month of February in the year 1842. In the beginning, it had a series of “amateur” shows that were performed by a professional actor named George Buckingham.
What is the largest theatre in Melbourne?
The largest theatre in Melbourne is the Palais Theatre, which once used to be called Palais Pictures. This iconic theatre gives the appearance of a palace and is located in St Kilda, an internal outlying part of the city of Melbourne, Victoria. It can have approximately 3000 people in it, and this quality makes this palace the largest theatre in not only Melbourne but in Australia.
What is Melbourne's oldest theatre?
The Princess Theatre is the oldest theatre in Melbourne. It was established in the year 1854 and was reconstructed in the year 1886 according to the designs of the renowned architect of Melbourne, William Pitt. This theatre is quite big and has a seating arrangement of more than 1,400 people. Princess Theatre is also the oldest surviving theatre in Melbourne and has been providing entertainment to the people for so many years.
How many theatres are there in Melbourne?
Melbourne has approximately more than 70 theatres. This great city offers a wide variety of options, from lovely historic art-deco cinemas to child-friendly movie theatres, independent family-owned theatres, drive-ins and outdoor cinemas, and giant IMAX screens.
What is the longest-running theatre show in Melbourne?
The musical ‘Les Miserables’ followed by ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has set a new record for the longest-running theatre show in Melbourne. This show made its first appearance in 1989 when the Princess Theatre was reopened.
