Buckle up for some theatre magic as August brings you stage acts from the finest talents in showbiz!
Nestled among the nooks and crannies of Melbourne are the lovely art theatres in which some of the most wonderful stories have been told and applause never ceases to be heard from the crowd.
But the excitement is only just beginning, as next month’s upcoming shows bring you amazing tales of all sorts! Whether it’s drama, comedy, romance, fantasy or musical, this month has got it all and they’re all showstoppers.
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Beauty and the Beast
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- Throughout August
- Her Majesty’s Theatre
This record-breaking adaptation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is taking Melbourne by storm! Experience your favourite fairy tale come to life with an enchanting performance by a stellar cast, and find out what everyone’s raving about!
T(issue)
- August 2-4
- La Mama HQ
Emma starts menstruating at ten, sparking mixed reactions. As she battles endometriosis, her struggles with health and trauma unfold in “(t)issue”.
Sunni Sunday
- August 9-11
- La Mama HQ
Sunni and Sunday, bonded since discovering adolescence’s complexities, face their 30th year recounting a lifelong friendship. Amid tragedy, they question their shared reality and the limits of platonic love.
Three Magpies Perched In A Tree
- August 14-25
- La Mama Courthouse
An Aboriginal man from the stolen generation witnesses young people navigating the justice system, repeatedly slipping through cracks. This play, inspired by frontline experiences, explores systemic challenges faced by Aboriginal youth, questioning one man’s impact on their futures.
ELVIS: A Musical Revolution
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- Until August 11
- Athenaeum Theatre
Elvis: A Musical Revolution chronicles the life of cultural icon Elvis Presley, featuring over 40 hit songs. From his Mississippi roots to the ‘68 Comeback Special and his reign as ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, this energetic production captures pivotal moments in his career through those who knew him best.
The Importance of Being Ernest
- August 1-11
- Fortyfivedownstairs
Bloomshed’s scandalous revival of Oscar Wilde’s trivial comedy skewers high society with frills, finery and irreverent satire. This self-aware adaptation transforms Wilde’s classic into a plush punk spectacle, complete with cucumber sandwiches in unexpected places.
A Streetcar Named Desire
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- Until August 17
- Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Nikki Shiels embodies Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’s classic A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks. Set in 1940s New Orleans, this reimagined masterpiece explores aggression, desire and deception with contemporary resonance.
Flick
- Until August 16-18
- La Mama HQ
“Flick” is a darkly comedic play exploring mortality and unlikely connections. Flick, a nurse, forms a bond with Mark, a terminal cancer patient, leading to blurred boundaries and unexpected intersections in their lives.
Sneaky Little Bugger
- August 28-31
- La Mama Courthouse
“Sneaky Little Bugger” illuminates shame through a dynamic mix of physical and verbatim theatre, blending live and recorded audio. Drawing on real-life stories and everyday experiences, it boldly confronts this pervasive emotion that thrives in silence.
Developers Make Sh*t Neighbours
- August 27-29
- La Mama HQ
On a quiet street, Oxley and Cooky contend with the disruptive construction of a high rise across from their home. Everywhere they turn, construction workers encroach.
Lyster Opera: Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri
- August 24
- Level 5, 45 William St
“L’italiana in Algeri” is a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini, composed when he was only 21. It tells the story of Isabella, a spirited Italian woman shipwrecked in Algiers, who cleverly outwits the ruler Mustafà, rescues her lover Lindoro, Mustafà’s slave, and showcases female empowerment and charm.
English
- August 1-24
- Southbank Theatre
Adult learners in her group each have their unique reasons for learning the new language—be it opportunities abroad or bonding with grandchildren. As they prepare for their final exam, tensions rise, connections form, and truths emerge, capturing the imperfect yet humorous journey of language learning in “English.”
Kingdom of Dragons
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- August 3
- Impro Melbourne
Embark on a spellbinding journey through a kingdom of mythical creatures and epic adventures. Join talented improvisers for eight nights of humor, suspense, and magic as heroes and villains clash in daring quests.
King Lear
- August 1-11
- Arts Centre Melbourne
In “King Lear,” Shakespeare explores succession, family betrayal, and the unraveling of a kingdom under Lear’s volatile decisions. Witness this epic in the intimate settings of The Neilson Nutshell and Fairfax Studio.
Frankenstein
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- August 23-31
- The Princess Theatre
“Frankenstein” brings Mary Shelley’s classic tale of creation and consequence to life in a spectacular theatrical event, playing a strictly limited season in Melbourne. Victor Frankenstein’s ambitious scientific experiment results in a monstrous being that challenges morality and threatens all he holds dear.
For more on Melbourne festivals and events, head here.
