Theatre and shows

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

What's on in Melbourne's theatres, clubs, cabaret bars and comedy spots.

Until 20 Apr

Groundhog Day the Musical

This brilliant new production, based on the classic movie is now playing exclusively in Melbourne.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

1 – 16 Jun

RISING

A festival of new art, music and performance held each June in the heart of Naarm/Melbourne.

Until 19 May

Cirque du Soleil: Luzia

Go on a vibrant journey through worlds filled with wonders and artistry with Cirque du Soleil.

11 reasons to leave work on time

Get the best happy hour deals, cheap tickets to amazing shows and more.

Until 2 Jun

Chicago the Musical

With a glittering score including All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle, Chicago is back.

24 Sep – 1 Dec

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Until 28 Jul

WICKED the Musical

Broadway’s biggest blockbuster WICKED has flown into Melbourne.

9 Jul – 17 Aug

A Streetcar Named Desire

A take on Tennessee Williams’s masterpiece - a brutal examination of society in transformation.

Arts House

Contemporary arts space presenting performances, exhibitions and community projects.

Until 21 Apr

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Load up on laughs and celebrate the fun, the fearless, the rebellious and the ridiculous.

Until 14 Dec

Carnival of Karactors

A monthly cabaret show featuring sexy and silly circus artists, comedians and burlesque performers.

28 Apr – 29 Sep

Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

A mix of comics from the TV and radio, alongside some future stars.

10 – 25 May

Homo Pentecostus

Joel Bray invites you to explore queer identity within the confines of a 1990s Pentecostal church.

18 – 20 Apr

Blood Wedding

Enjoy a graduating production performance of Blood Wedding from the JMC Academy.

17 – 28 Jul

By Jane's Hand

The return of the highly acclaimed celebration of Jane Austen, at La Mama Theatre.

18 May – 16 Jun

The Odd Couple

Shane Jacobson and Todd McKenney star in Neil Simon's classic play.

Comedy Theatre

The historic Comedy Theatre hosts musicals, drama and yes, comedies.

8 – 18 May

Lucia di Lammermoor

Melbourne Opera presents Gaetano Donizetti’s dramatic and tragic masterpiece, Lucia di Lammermoor.

21 May – 2 Jun

Meurants Lane

A play about three brothers battling themselves, each other, drugs and grief in Western Sydney.

Trades Hall

Home of the Victorian trade union movement and a vibrant arts and theatre venue.

Until 14 Dec

Circus Arcana

A tarot themed circus show

12 Oct

A Psychic and a Medium

Step into the mesmerizing world of the supernatural with Anette Boyle and Julia Cartagena.

Hamer Hall

This multi-level concert hall is the largest venue at the Arts Centre.

Until 17 Apr

Magnus Steele

The acclaimed comedy crime-thriller starring...you, investigates the crime of the century.

30 Apr – 11 May

MIA: Missing in Action

A fun, original play exploring identity, Queerness and falling in love with a best friend.

The Comics Lounge Comedy Club

Enjoy a night of laughs, cocktails, food and friends with stand-up comedy acts.

24 – 27 Apr

PosseVision: Story of Wet Saga

Rassputin's Wet Posse bring Eurovision to Melbourne with a spectacular parody event.

6 – 16 Jun

The Swallows

A poetic, musical, genre-defying new play where the story of Aunty emerges.

The Improv Conspiracy

Theatre and training centre with four weekly comedy nights and public workshops on improvisation.

25 Oct – 30 Nov

Golden Blood

Golden Blood will set your pulse racing all the way to its inevitable, heart-rending climax.

19 Apr

Cake: A Conversation

Join for a conversation, and cake, about marriage and sexuality.

Club Voltaire

Intimate theatre space in North Melbourne hosting a variety of shows and entertainment.

Southbank Theatre

Performance space and home of the Melbourne Theatre Company.

4 – 9 Jun

Pastabate

Are you into pasta play? A provocative new play for the broken hearted.

14 Sep – 19 Oct

Cost Of Living

With heart and searing observation, this is an honest look at the forces that bring people together.

26 – 28 Apr

Gallipoli: A Story Untold

A Story Untold is an ANZAC theatrical premiere, by an award-winning playwright.

Melbourne's best drag shows and queer-friendly venues

Find burlesque life drawing, cabaret and the best queer-friendly venues in Melbourne.

Arts Centre Melbourne

With its iconic spire, the Arts Centre Melbourne is a cultural and architectural landmark.

Fairfax Studio

An intimate theatre presenting smaller-scale and experimental productions.

La Mama Courthouse

One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

Speakeasy Theatre

A vaudeville theatre presenting burlesque and cabaret shows, as well as comedy and circus acts.

The Butterfly Club

An intimate theatre hosting quirky performances and serving cocktails in bars with kitsch decor.