The Round isn't messing around.
Live music: is only one of the many art forms that makes up the creative tapestry of The Round. It arrives mainly in the form of musicals and operas, although the space has been known to host indie gems as well – they’ll be doing a lot of that this month.
Famous for: being an arts and culture hopstop in Melbourne’s east. The multi-theatre complex offers punters a chance to catch all kinds of performances without having to trek to the city.
Infamous for: Can you really be infamous if you’re not even a year old yet? The venue may be a fresh space, but it’s already made quite the impression.
Last October, when The Round officially threw open its doors, it became clear it didn’t come to play. Run by the Whitehorse City Council, the $78 million investment features a 600-capacity proscenium theatre, a second, more intimate theatre and multiple versatile rehearsal spaces slash community function rooms. It was designed to give artsy types in Nunawading and the surrounding suburbs a place to soak in a diverse range of offerings. With free parking, a beautiful bar and accessible prices, you really can’t go wrong.
Ballets, operas, plays, live music – you name it, it’s happening at The Round. It even hosts children’s shows, which makes it the perfect option for school holidays or a rainy Sunday arvo. From drag provocateurs to calisthenics competitions, the programmers have been running wild (in the best way). They’re not afraid to push boundaries and deliver experimental works and emerging talent alongside tried-and-true hits.
In May, the venue will host its debut Round Sound festival. Featuring performances by heavyweights including Kate Miller-Heidke and Ben Lee as well as plenty of industry workshops and networking opportunities, it offers fans and musos alike the chance to celebrate the thing they love most. At a dicey moment for the Australian arts scene, it’s great to see a venue that’s so committed to supporting local talent to the best of its ability.
Visit The Round at 379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading. Open during shows and events.
