Malthouse Theatre has revealed its 2025 season, offering a year of innovative theatre featuring epic productions, music theatre, drama, horror, and comedy.
The lineup includes seven major works by Australian and international theatre makers, with a focus on accessibility, as ticket prices have been significantly reduced for all shows. For the first time, an early bird discount will be available for every Malthouse production, running from 10–31 October, giving audiences more opportunities to enjoy the theatre throughout the year.
Artistic Director Matthew Lutton said the season is aimed at the curious, offering a blend of adrenaline, fun, and rich ideas. “We’ve found the most enlivening ideas from artists at the peak of their craft; every production is different, and we have made it price accessible for you to see them all throughout the year.”
The 2025 season includes a mix of new Australian works and adaptations of classic stories. The productions will span themes from political mythmaking to First Nations theatre, horror, and reimagined fairy tales, featuring performances from top Australian talent. Additionally, Malthouse’s commitment to education will continue with its participatory program for students tackling climate change.
Malthouse Theatre’s 2025 program
• From Thursday 10–Thursday 31 October, an early bird offer of 25% off every 2025 Malthouse Theatre production will be available via the website, with prices from as low as $38
• The range across standard ticket prices is $50-$85; Mob Tix and concession prices will range from $20-$55
• Details of the Malthouse Comedy program will be released Friday 6 December
• Details of the ECHO cast will be announced in June 2025
• Additional programming produced in collaboration with YIRRAMBOI, RISING and ILBIJERRI will be shared in 2025
• See malthousetheatre.com.au for more information
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Truth
- Thursday 13 February–Saturday 8 March
- By Patricia Cornelius
- Directed by Susie Dee
Opening the 2025 season is Truth, a powerful new work by acclaimed playwright Patricia Cornelius. This production dives into the life and politics surrounding WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, exploring the intersections of personal ambition, justice, and truth. The play features five performers who take on multiple roles, portraying not only Assange but also whistleblowers Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning. Directed by longtime collaborator Susie Dee, Truth promises a bold and unflinching examination of one of the most controversial figures of our time.
A Nightime Travesty
- Wednesday 19–Saturday 22 February
- By A Daylight Connection
- Directed by Stephen Nicolazzo
- Co-presented with Asia TOPA
A Nightime Travesty is a provocative First Nations vaudevillian musical that blends biting political satire with elements of horror. Created by the innovative group A Daylight Connection and directed by Stephen Nicolazzo, this show is part of the Asia TOPA festival, celebrating the artistic and cultural diversity of the Asia-Pacific region. Expect sharp wit, music, and a fresh take on Australia’s colonial past in this electrifying production.
Malthouse Comedy
- Wednesday 26 March–Sunday 20 April
- Part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Lineup to be announced 6 December
For fans of comedy, Malthouse will once again host its signature comedy showcase during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. With more than 20 performances scheduled across the festival’s run, audiences can expect a wide variety of acts from local and international comedians. This annual event has become a crowd favourite, drawing thousands of visitors to the theatre. The lineup will be announced on 6 December, offering a diverse range of comedic styles and personalities.
The Birds
- Friday 16 May–Saturday 7 June
- By Daphne du Maurier
- Directed by Matthew Lutton
- Starring Paula Arundell
One of the most anticipated productions of the year is The Birds, an immersive stage adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s chilling short story, directed by Matthew Lutton. This psychological horror will see the terror of nature’s revolt come to life on stage, with Paula Arundell leading the cast. Known for her powerful performances, Arundell will anchor this tension-filled production that plunges audiences into the eerie world where humans are no longer safe from the forces of nature. The Birds promises to be a haunting theatrical experience that lingers long after the final curtain.
Echo (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen)
- Monday 14–Saturday 19 July
- By Nassim Soleimanpour
- Directed by Omar Elerian
In Echo (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen), internationally renowned playwright Nassim Soleimanpour returns with a highly inventive new work. Each night, a different actor will perform the script as a cold read, without prior rehearsal, live on stage. This unique format keeps the show unpredictable and fresh, with audiences never quite knowing what to expect. Adding to the intrigue, the actors will be connected live via satellite to Soleimanpour in Berlin, allowing for real-time interactions. Directed by Omar Elerian, this play offers an exciting, experimental experience, questioning the nature of performance and connection.
The Orchard
- Tuesday 5–Saturday 16 August
- By Pony Cam
Melbourne’s own theatre collective, Pony Cam, brings The Orchard, a reimagining of Anton Chekhov’s classic play The Cherry Orchard. Set in a contemporary context, this adaptation takes Chekhov’s story of a crumbling aristocratic family and transforms it into a sharp commentary on gentrification and the loss of cultural heritage in modern Australia. Known for their bold, boundary-pushing productions, Pony Cam’s The Orchard will resonate with both Chekhov fans and contemporary theatre audiences alike.
Troy
- Thursday 4–Thursday 25 September
- By Tom Wright
- Directed by Matthew Lutton
The fall of Troy gets a dramatic reworking in this production by Tom Wright, directed by Matthew Lutton. Troy retells the ancient Greek myth through a modern lens, examining themes of war, power, and the consequences of mythmaking. Featuring a powerful ensemble cast, Troy will explore the human cost of conflict and the way stories are used to shape history. This production promises to be a visually striking and emotionally charged experience.
Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes
- Wednesday 19 November–Saturday 6 December
- Created by Meow Meow
- Directed by Kate Champion
- Co-produced with Belvoir and Black Swan Theatre Company
International cabaret sensation Meow Meow closes the 2025 season with The Red Shoes, a new production inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale. Mixing humour, music, and dance, this visually stunning piece brings together the playful and the macabre, typical of Meow Meow’s style. Directed by Kate Champion and co-produced with Belvoir and Black Swan Theatre Company, The Red Shoes will offer a whimsical yet dark exploration of obsession and control, making it a fitting finale to a year of daring theatre at Malthouse.
Early bird discounts apply until 31 October, with prices starting from $38. Further announcements will be made for other hotly anticipated shows presented in collaboration with YIRRAMBOI, RISING and ILBIJERRI next year.
Tickets for the Malthouse Theatre 2025 season are now on sale via malthousetheatre.com.au.
