Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Melbourne's theatre district is not limited to the city centre, with individual companies
and theatres spread across town. Tickets start at about $20 for independent productions
and $30 for mainstream theatre. Try Halftix Melbourne (
Click here
)
for cheap tickets to
the theatre, to be purchased in person on the day, with cash.
See the boxed text, above, for a listing of Melbourne's historical theatres showing
blockbuster shows.
La Mama
THEATRE
( 03-9347 6948;
www.lamama.com.au
; 205 Faraday St, Carlton; 1, 8)
La Mama is historically signi-
ficant in Melbourne's theatre scene. This tiny, intimate forum produces new Australian
works and experimental theatre, and has a reputation for developing emerging play-
wrights. It's a ramshackle building with an open-air bar. Shows also run at its larger
Court-
house Theatre
on 349 Drummond St, Carlton, so check tickets carefully for the correct loca-
tion.
Malthouse Theatre
( 03-9685 5111;
www.malthousetheatre.com.au
; 113 Sturt St, Southbank; 1)
The Malthouse Theatre
Company often produces the most exciting theatre in Melbourne. Dedicated to promoting
Australian works, the company has been housed in the atmospheric Malthouse Theatre
since 1990 (when it was known as the Playbox). From Flinders Street Station walk across
Princes Bridge and along St Kilda Rd. Turn right at Grant St, then left into Sturt St.
THEATRE
Melbourne Theatre Company
(MTC; 03-8688 0800;
www.mtc.com.au
; 140 Southbank Blvd, Southbank; 1)
Melbourne's major the-
atrical company stages around 15 productions each year, ranging from contemporary and
modern (including many new Australian works) to Shakespearean and other classics. Per-
formances take place in a brand-new, award-winning venue in Southbank.
THEATRE
Butterfly Club
CABARET
( 03-9654 4068;
www.thebutterflyclub.com
; Carson Pl, off Little Collins St, Melbourne; 5pm-late Tue-Sun;
96, 112)
Down a quintessential Melbourne laneway, this eccentric little cabaret club re-
mains largely undiscovered. Expect acts that aren't really theatre, aren't quite straight
comedy, and which might just throw in a song. The rooms display an extraordinary collec-
