Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Theatre
Melbourne's longstanding theatrical heritage is evident in the city's legacy of Victorian-era
theatres such as the Princess and Athenaeum. While the blockbusters pack out these grand
dames, Melbourne's theatre scene encompasses a wide spectrum of genres.
Melbourne's most high-profile professional theatre company, the Melbourne Theatre
Company (MTC;
www.mtc.com.au
), is also Australia's oldest, and stages up to a dozen
performances year-round at both the Arts Centre and its own purpose-built theatre located
nearby. Productions are usually firmly focused on satisfying the company's 20,000-strong
middle-market subscriber base, though with a new director this may change. Expect works
by Australians such as David Williamson, locals Hannie Rayson and Joanna Murray-Smith,
and well-known international playwrights.
The Malthouse Theatre (
www.malthousetheatre.com.au
)
is dedicated to performing con-
temporary Australian works and nurturing emerging writers, and is known for relevance,
audacity and artistic daring under its artistic director, Marion Potts.
Victoria also has a number of thriving progressive fringe-theatre companies, including
Wodonga's HotHouse, Black Lung, Mutation Theatre and Hayloft, which stage residencies
in traditional theatre settings as well as popping up in unusual places.
Humble in size, Carlton's La Mama (
www.lamama.com.au
)
has a huge place in the heart
of the city's theatre scene. Founded in 1967, it is, as its name might suggest, the mother of
independent theatre in Melbourne, and helped forge the careers of David Williamson, Jack
Hibberd, Barry Dickens and Graeme Blundell.
