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Three women dressed formally arm in arm, laughing while walking into the theatre.

The ultimate theatre guide to Melbourne

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

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Magician balancing one finger on a globe, suspended updside down, wearing a white suit and hat.
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Piccolo Teatro: Magic Theatre

Specialising in astonishing magic shows and immersive live entertainment.

The actors Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, and Toby Schmitz - three middle aged men smiling at the camera all wearing dark suit jackets and white shirts.
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ART The Play

A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause.

A magician holding a crystal ball against a purple background.
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Melbourne Magic Festival

Casting its spell with performances and workshops for all ages this winter.

Bluey stage show human and puppet cast with tree background.
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Bluey's Big Play

This is Bluey brought to real life as you’ve never seen it before.

Female cast members from the musical Pride & Prejudice performing in Regency style costumes on a stage, all wearing yellow rubber gloves and singing into microphones they are holding.
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Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

The musical comedy sensation, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), premieres in Melbourne.

Characters from the PAW Patrol TV series performing live on a theatre stage, with streamers in the air above them and a large audience watching them.
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PAW Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue

The beloved pups of PAW Patrol hit the stage in this interactive live show.

A silhouette of a person dancing on a stage with a pink floor, in front of screens displaying the words "ONE LAST PASS"
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Heartbreak Hotel

The sold-out RISING hit Heartbreak Hotel returns to steal your heart again.

A musician holding a violinist under his arm, seated on a surreal natural setting featuring acacia wattle and gum leaves, as if floating in space against a pale background.
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Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Overgrown Paths

Violinist Sophie Rowell and Helen Morse lead a luminous fusion of poetry and music.

Actor Sarah Ruhl posing with her hand on her face and looking blankly ahead in a dark navy room.
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Eurydice

A luminous, poetic reimagining of the Greek myth, directed by multi-award-winner Gary Abrahams

A seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

Mid-face downwards view of a creature in a grey overcoat with an elephant's head.
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Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

After 15 years touring the world, Back to Back Theatre’s legendary production returns to Melbourne.

A woman in Regency-period costume including a white bonnet, white neck ruff and a red checked dress with puffed sleeves; holding a tea cup and saucer.

Dining with Jane Austen with Lise Rodgers

Join Lise Rodgers for a presentation delivered in costume on dining in the time of Jane Austen.

An actor in a suit, shirt and tie, holding a pair of glasses under his chair, with curly brown hair, looking serious.
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Julius Caesar

A thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

Two young people seated on stone steps.
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Saplings

Youth theatre celebrating the survival instincts of young people.

Two performers on a stage, a man dressed in a suit, looking at a man with his arms outstretched suspended by an aerial rope above a low pool of water.
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Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

A dazzling new operatic work by some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents.

People milling around Fed Square at night.

Melbourne's essential night-time events

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

Sixties singer Joan Baez, with long dark hair and earrings.
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Joan Baez: The Road to Woodstock

A play about the rise of the legendary folk singer.

Man wearing a tuxedo performing sleight of hands tricks with a glass in front of a seated audience.
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Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Magician Tim Credible wearing a red and yellow striped vest and hat, with Douzie the Dragon puppet on his arm.
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Family Magic Show with Tim Credible

A high-energy, interactive show packed with amazing magic and laugh-out-loud comedy for kids.

Illustration of a white swan, a trumpet and a yellow sun, all superimposed on top of each other, against a pale background.
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The Trumpet of the Swan

An adaptation of E.B. White’s gorgeous novel The Trumpet of the Swan for orchestra and actors.

Stage show cast standing with arms raised on stage at the end of a show.
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Legally Blonde the Musical

The beloved cult classic filled with bends and snaps, large dance pieces and even larger music.

Three classical musicians surrounded by glittering scolls and stars.

The Wagner Gala Concert

A landmark, one-night-only musical event to mark the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre.

Drag performer hosting bingo in the dimly lit Heartbreaker Bar.
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Drag Bingo

Enjoy a night of drag bingo at Heartbreaker.

Magician Liam ‘LJ’ Jumpertz in a tuxedo with bow tie looking bewildered in front of a red velvet curtain.
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Close Up Tragic

The perfect comedy magic show for families with older kids these school holidays.

A spired building on a sunny day

The best kid's theatre shows on in Melbourne

Featuring musical theatre, magic shows and more.

Singers Amelia Ryan and Libby O’Donovan, both wearing dark tops and smiling, posed against a red velvet curtain.

I Am Woman

Hear a tribute to the women who redefined Australian music in the swinging 1960s.

Opera singers, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson, smiling and standing next to each other in front of a black background.

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson perform at this Morning Melodies concert.

Illustration of an old-fashioned typewriter floating on the sea with the white buidings of a Greek island in the background.
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The Mermaid Sings

A play by Carolyn Masson focusing on the life of Charmian Clift.

Magician wearing a top hat, holding a wand, wearing an aqua jacket and holding four red balls.
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The Great Armando's Magia Magia

Welcome to a world of wonder, jaw-dropping illusions, laughter and pure magic.

A director's chair in front of a small desk and mirror with makeup lights and a wig on a mannequin stand.
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Mackenzie

A camp, dark and deranged retelling of Macbeth, set in the heights of early 2000s TV stardom.

A white line drawing on a black background of a smiling, bald man with his hands raised to his head, with objects including an infinity symbol, a Rubik's cube, a cassette tape, an open book, and a flip phone hovering around him.
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Influential

An intimate evening of magic and mentalism for the Melbourne Magic Festival.

Actress Alison Whyte portraying a character in the play The Glass Menagerie, holding a small glass figurine; black and white photo.
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The Glass Menagerie

A contemporary revival of one of the most beloved and enduring works of the 20th century.

A person wearing large yellow sunglasses, bright red lipstick, a blue drip coming out from one of their nostrils, and a white compression bandage around their head and chin, against a solid blue background.
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Losing Face

Strap in for a perimenopausal Weekend at Bernie’s – a wildly funny, no-holds-barred new comedy.

The actor George Kapiniaris standing next to an open chest or glory box under a spotlight on a theatre stage.
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Life of Byron

A funny and moving story of family, identity and the moments that shape us.

An orchestra dressed in red suits playing on a stage that is decorated in festive and seasonal Christmas decorations.

Christmas Melodies

Join in the seasonal celebration of a Morning Melodies Christmas concert.

Bald man with spectacles and beard, wearing bow tie and jacket, pictured upside down.
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The Tricky Nick Magic Show

Join Australia's weirdest magician on a wild rollercoaster ride through his magical mind.

A train station lit up in rainbow lights

Melbourne's best drag shows and queer-friendly venues

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

A woman on a stepladder in a garden pours water from a watering can over a man standing below.
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Uncle Vanya

Chekhov’s timeless tale, full of mordant wit, unrequited love and longing, finds new life.

An ensemble cast of impro actors on a stage, performing in front of a live audience in a small theatre.
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Maestro Impro

Impro Melbourne’s high stakes elimination gameshow where improvisors compete until only one remains.

More theatre and shows

Melbourne's major theatres

Three people striding into the Regent Theatre tiled entry with lights and city street in the background.

Regent Theatre

This landmark theatre is one of Melbourne’s premier live performance venues.

Rows of red seats in the historic Princess Theatre.

Princess Theatre

Melbourne’s iconic Princess Theatre is regarded by many as Melbourne’s most spectacular landmark.

Tiered seating and red plush stage curtain.

Her Majesty's Theatre

This heritage-listed theatre has provided entertainment for Melbourne since 1886.

Comedy Theatre stage and tiered seating.

Comedy Theatre

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

Heritage-listed Athenaeum building, with columns and ornate capitals.

Athenaeum Theatre

This heritage-listed venue hosts comedy, music and theatre.

Striking geometric design of the Southbank Theatre, illuminated at night.

Southbank Theatre

Performance space and home of the Melbourne Theatre Company.

Arts Centre Melbourne with winter trees and blue sky, surrounded by city buildings.

Arts Centre Melbourne

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

Performance space and seating inside La Mama Courthouse.

La Mama Courthouse

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

More theatre venues

Seating and stage in Fairfax Studio, an intimate theatre space.

Fairfax Studio

An intimate theatre presenting smaller-scale and experimental productions.

Performance space and seating inside La Mama Courthouse.

La Mama Courthouse

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

A performer wearing a bikini and holding a firestick above her open mouth in a small cabaret venue.

Speakeasy Theatre

A lively, historic vaudeville theatre featuring burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus every week.

Discover more

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

A stage with a grand facade to look like a building, with crowds waiting for a band to come on stage.

The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide

Concert halls and music venues hosting live music this week

People sitting in a dark movie theatre and facing the screen.

Film

Melbourne has a thriving film scene, with film festivals and screenings at cinemas year-round.

A smiling library worker holding up three picture books with their front covers facing out, seated cross-legged on the floor in front of library display shelves.
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Songbirds

Come along to City Library on Fridays for songs, rhymes and stories.