From Britney to Keating to cold ocean dips: The Round reveals loaded 2026 program
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ArtsTheatre
19.01.2026

From Britney to Keating to cold ocean dips: The Round reveals loaded 2026 program

Words by staff writer

Nunawading's performing arts hub The Round has dropped its 2026 season and it's a cracker.

Look, we get it. Trekking out to Nunawading for a show might not be your first instinct when there’s a Southbank theatre with your name on it. But The Round has been quietly programming bangers for years now, and its 2026 season might just be the one that gets you on the Belgrave-Lilydale line.

The Round’s A Colourful Life season spans February to October 2026, packing 16 shows into Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The program features everything from one-woman shows celebrating Australian women to adults-only circus inspired by the animal kingdom, with stops for opera, Britney Spears tribute cabaret and acrobatic First Nations storytelling along the way.

Subscribers can lock in six or more shows to access discounted pricing, with 10-show packages unlocking the steepest savings. The venue is offering flexible payment options, letting punters spread costs across the year and pay only when each show rolls around. All shows have $30 tickets for patrons under 30 years of age!

Tickets are on sale now! Book a subscription package for the best deal, with six-show packages unlocking discounted pricing and 10-show packages offering the steepest savings of up to $128.

Here’s what’s coming.

The Round’s 2026 program: A Colourful Life

  • The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
  • February to October 2026
  • Tickets and subscriptions at theround.com.au

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.

The Round’s 2026 season, A Colourful Life, presents a high-octane selection of circus, physical theatre and dance that explores the raw edges of human identity and folklore. This lineup ranges from the adults-only cabaret of Primal (July 1), which uses spectacular acrobatics to explore the animal kingdom and sexuality, to Arterial (July 25), a First Nations-led performance that connects Country and culture through breathtaking movement. Water Mirror (June 24), is a breathtaking fusion of dance, taiko percussion, and acrobatics that serves as the production’s only Victorian performance. The intensity continues in August with GRIMM, a dark reimagining of fairytales where characters like Cinderella emerge from the shadows, and culminates in October with Wolf, a feral display of acrobatics and primal rhythms that captures our “untameable selves”.

ARTERIAL

Na Djinang Circus—Australia’s foremost First Nations-led contemporary circus company—presents Arterial in The Round Studio. This award-winning production acts as a moving acrobatic performance that links people, Country, and culture, making the unseen bonds between the human body and the land beautifully visible. The show explores the ancient connections tying First Nations people together, examining bloodline bonds that remain strong despite being damaged by colonisation.

Four performers connect physically and spiritually through breathtaking acrobatics, set to an avant-garde score by sound designer Danni Esposito. Described as a “feast for the senses” that leaves audiences “profoundly inspired,” the production runs for one hour without interval and includes a post-show Q&A.

GRIMM

Forget the fairytales you think you know—in this world, happily ever after is a myth. On August 15, the powerhouse Shake & Stir Theatre Co—the masters behind the breathless 1984 and the gothic Frankenstein—brings Grimm to The Round Theatre, beckoning you into a world of profound, dark intensity. Within haunting landscapes and darkened corridors, iconic characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood emerge from the shadows to reveal the raw, unvarnished truth of their stories, warts and all.

Directed by Daniel Evans, adapted by Nelle Lee, and draped in the striking designs of Australian fashion icon Paul McCann, this reimagining is a seductive and visceral journey that lets the hidden, savage depths of folklore boil and bubble to the surface. This is not just theatre; it is a nightmare you won’t want to wake up from.

PRIMAL

Prepare to unleash your inhibitions and go Primal with a sensational, adults-only circus experience from Highwire Entertainment, the provocative creators of the smash-hit Rouge. This wild ride features Australia’s elite circus and cabaret talents in a non-stop spectacle inspired by the raw energy of the animal kingdom and the intricate complexities of human relationships.

Moving at a wicked pace that reportedly leaves audiences “panting for more,” the production is a thrilling, sexy, and hilarious fusion of breathtaking acrobatics, burlesque, fire performances, and aerial artistry. By pushing boundaries and exploring the diverse spectrums of gender and sexuality, Primal celebrates the untamed side of identity through a mesmerizing mix of song and dance. This daring showcase is strictly for audiences aged 18 and over.

Wolf by Circa

On October 24, the world-renowned Circa—Australia’s leading contemporary circus company—presents Wolf, a visceral production described as “circus with fangs”. This latest creation from artistic director Yaron Lifschitz taps into the “wildness trapped in all of us,” featuring ten elite acrobats who grasp, tear, climb, leap, and balance with fierce abandon. Clad in striking designs by Libby McDonnell and fueled by the primal rhythms of DJ Ori Lichtik, the performance explores the wolf as a powerful symbol of our untameable selves—liberating, anarchic, and savage.

Across two contrasting acts, the ensemble evolves from a state of total chaos into a ferocious, unified pack. This high-profile production is a prestigious international collaboration, co-produced by the Chamäleon Theatre in Berlin and commissioned by La Comete. Running for one hour and 40 minutes (including interval), Wolf promises a “sensational” and “wild” journey that captures the raw, essential nature of human creativity.

Wolf is the uncontrolled wildfire that consumes the stage, leaving the audience breathless as it explores the thin line between the human and the animal.

Water Mirror

Danza del Arte brings Water Mirror to The Round for its only Victorian performance. This is a sensory immersion like no other, created and choreographed by the visionary Paulina Quinteros in association with Arts on Tour, this production is a breathtaking fusion that transcends the boundaries of traditional performance by blending high-stakes athleticism with ancient artistry. It pairs the powerful, resonant rhythms of Taiko with the fluid grace of acrobatic dancers in a sublime and finely crafted interplay.

The show utilises cutting-edge projection and lighting design to create a stunning multimedia backdrop. As the thunderous percussion drives the dancers through a captivating physical journey, the stage becomes a living mirror of light and sound, capturing the essential nature of creativity through its non-traditional approach. It is a dazzling highlight of the A Colourful Life season, offering a rare opportunity to witness a world-class collaboration that bridges the gap between music, dance, and technology.

The Round’s 2026 season, A Colourful Life, is anchored by a series of deeply personal and biographical works that transform raw, lived experiences into compelling art. From the satirical exploration of celebrity and mental health in Britney Spears: The Cabaret to Nathan Cavaleri’s intimate account of child stardom and survival in Growing Pains, the program highlights the extraordinary nature of being human.

This commitment to authentic storytelling is mirrored in verbatim productions like In Their Own Words, which celebrates 20 trailblazing Australian women, and Is Shakespeare in This Movie?, which elevates the professional journeys of English teachers. The season further explores collective truths through Sea Wolves Howl, based on the true healing rituals of a cold-water swimming community, the harrowing echoes of survival in Beyond The Neck, and the fragmented, grit-infused memories of a miner’s life in DUST.

Together, these productions paint a vivid, multifaceted portrait of resilience and identity.

Stunning biographical shows

Britney Spears: The Cabaret

Christie Whelan Browne returns to The Round with her show Britney Spears: The Cabaret following her 2025 debut at the venue. The satirical cabaret examines the perils of fame through comedy and powerhouse vocals, exploring celebrity, mental health and survival in the spotlight. Director Dean Bryant, musical director Matthew Frank and choreographer Andy Hallsworth round out the creative team.

Nathan Cavaleri: Growing Pains Tour

Nathan Cavaleri presents his solo show Growing Pains, tracing his journey from child prodigy to cancer survivor, from global stages to mental health collapse. The show combines storytelling and music as Cavaleri maps his path from busking in Campbelltown to the heights of stardom and back.

DUST

Yellow Brick Theatre presents DUST, winner of Adelaide Festival’s 2025 inSPACE Fringe Award for best original premiere. Set in 2020 during lockdown at Pinderfields Hospital in England, the one-man performance follows a man fighting for each breath as he relives his fragmented past as a boxer, soldier, boilermaker and miner. Based on a true story, the production is dedicated to servicemen, the seven victims of the 1973 Lofthouse Colliery disaster, and all miners. All performances include post-show Q&As.

Sea Wolves Howl

Cluster Arts and 60% Water present Sea Wolves Howl, based on true stories of a community of women and gender-fluid people who meet on the beach each morning to enter the freezing sea, join hands, howl like wolves, and immerse together. Five characters take audiences from home to shore, into the brine and back, evoking stories, memories, fears, triumphs and laughter. Both performances include post-show Q&As.

Rachael Beck: In Their Own Words

Rachael Beck brings her one-woman show In Their Own Words to The Round to kick off the season. The multi-disciplinary production celebrates 20 trailblazing Australian women through verbatim words and anecdotes collected from figures including Ita Buttrose, Tanya Plibersek, Marcia Langton and Carlotta. Beck weaves these stories with music from Australian songwriters like Missy Higgins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Kate Ceberano and Dami Im. Developed with writer James Millar and directed by Miranda Middleton.

Beyond the Neck

Theatre Works presents Beyond the Neck, written by award-winning playwright Tom Holloway and directed by Suzanne Chaundy. Set against the backdrop of the Port Arthur massacre, this ensemble work weaves together fragmented voices to explore how personal and collective grief shape lives. The cast includes Frances Greenslade, Emmaline Carroll Southwell, Cassidy Dunn and Freddy Collyer. Rather than retelling history, the production examines its echoes and the silent spaces between survivors. The morning show includes a post-show Q&A.

Is Shakespeare in this Movie?

Alternative Facts presents Is Shakespeare in this Movie?, a verbatim play written and directed by David Williams celebrating the work of English teachers. Four teachers reflect on their professional journeys, the emotional struggles of working in schools, and the challenges and joys of working with students. The production transports audiences from the classroom into places dark, strange and filled with wonder. Both performances include post-show Q&As. The show has been supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

David Campbell: Good Lovin’ & More

David Campbell performs his Good Lovin’ album in full, delivering classic 60s blue-eyed soul alongside his seven-piece band. The setlist includes tracks like 1-2-3, Baby Now That I’ve Found You, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ and Devil With The Blue Dress On. Campbell will also dip into material from his multi-platinum Swing Sessions albums, bringing Johnny O’Keefe classics and Bobby Darin chart-toppers to the stage.

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim

Watch This, Australia’s Sondheim repertory company, presents Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim. After 10 critically acclaimed productions, the company has assembled a revue blending Sondheim’s most beloved songs with lesser-known treasures. The handpicked collection showcases moments of heartbreak and hilarity through powerful new arrangements performed in an intimate setting. The 28 March matinee includes a post-show Q&A.

Don Giovanni

Opera Australia brings Mozart’s Don Giovanni on a national tour stopping at The Round. The opera follows the notorious seducer on the last day of his life as he continues his pleasure-seeking ways, from seducing a bride on her wedding day to breaking into a woman’s bedroom.

The Gospel According to Paul

Soft Tread presents The Gospel According to Paul, written and performed by Jonathan Biggins. The co-creator and star of The Wharf Revue transforms into former Prime Minister Paul Keating, exploring his landmark political achievements and personal obsessions. The production covers Keating’s rise through the Labor Party, his approach to economics and his stance on confronting Australia’s past. The Saturday matinee includes a post-show Q&A.

For more information, head here.

This article was made in partnership with The Round.

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