When the weather turns cold, there's no better feeling that settling into a velvet theatre seat. Here's what's on in Melbourne theatre this month.
This month, Melbourne’s art houses, black boxes and big stages are teeming with performance goodness. Whether you prefer thought-provoking avant-garde works or curious whodunnit mysteries, there’s something for you to enjoy.
It wasn’t easy picking out our top picks for this month, but we managed to narrow it down. Read on to find out what’s on in Melbourne theatre this June.
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The best theatre in Melbourne this month
Sunset Boulevard
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- Princess Theatre
- Throughout June
Experience an extraordinary new rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Sunset Boulevard, starring Sarah Brightman and a stellar cast of Australia’s theatrical elite.
The Swallows
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- La Mama HQ
- June 6 to 16
Empowered by her connection with nature during daily walks, Aunty prepares to break free from the pressures of her urban environment and childhood scars. But the landscape, marked by her ancestors, demands attention. Written and directed by Sandra Fiona Long, The Swallows is a poetic, genre-defying performance.
The Big HOO-HAA!
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- Butterfly Club
- Throughout June
Prepare for a fast-paced, hilarious night with The Big HOO-HAA!, Melbourne’s favourite and longest-running weekly improvisational comedy show. Featuring a stellar lineup of comedians, this ensemble delivers high-octane improv, killer punchlines, and a mix of sizzling and sometimes fizzling one-liners every Friday night.
Pastabate
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- La Mama Courthouse
- June 4 to 9
Join HER on a comedic journey through heartbreak and pasta cravings in Pastabate. As she navigates life after a breakup, HER finds solace in pasta, despite her gluten allergy. From reenacting soap operas to hallucinating dancing spaghetti, Pastabate blends theatrical realism with campy spectacle.
The Woman In Black
- Athenaeum Theatre
- June 13 to 30
Experience the thrill of Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story, The Woman in Black, in Stephen Mallatratt’s brilliant stage adaptation. Join a lawyer obsessed with a curse he believes haunts his family, brought to life by John Waters and Daniel MacPherson. Robin Herford’s gripping production is a masterclass in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.
Multiple Bad Things
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- Malthouse Theatre
- June 1 to 9
Enter the dystopian world of three employees grappling with inclusion, identity and escalating tensions in the workplace. Back to Back Theatre challenges assumptions and delves into the personal, political and cosmic in this gripping production.
Rebecca Yarros In Conversation
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- Melbourne Town Hall
- June 25
Join bestselling author Rebecca Yarros for an evening of riders, romantasy and revelations as she delves into the world of Basgiath War College and the enigmatic Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
Hunks 4 U
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- The Improv Conspiracy
- June 1 and 29
Get ready for Melbourne’s hottest improv team to dazzle you with a monthly variety show filled with improv, stand-up, sketch, storytelling and maybe even a clowning act or serenade.
Murder At The Manor
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- Stamford Plaza
- June 14
Immerse yourself in a murder mystery set in the Roaring Twenties and 1930s, where you become a detective unravelling clues amid a cast of intriguing characters.
Monster High
- The Channel
- June 1 and 22
Embark on an interactive journey through a supernatural high school, discovering your own supernatural powers alongside Teen Queens, Werewolves, Vampires and more.
Samuel Beckett and the Rainbow Girl
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- Irene Mitchell Studios
- June 13 to 23
Explore the dynamics between Samuel Beckett and Lucia Joyce, daughter of James Joyce, in a poignant tale set in late 1920s Paris.
Julia
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- Southbank Theatre
- Throughout June
Discover the journey of Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, in a rich portrait exploring her life, challenges and achievements.
The Last Train to Madeline
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- Meat Market’s Stables
- June 18 to 29
Experience a nostalgic journey through adolescence, first love and suburban dreams in Callum Mackay’s poignant play.
Beauty and the Beast
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- Her Majesty’s Theatre
- Throughout June
Be enchanted by Disney’s classic tale brought to life in a spectacular production featuring beloved songs and dazzling performances.
To find out what else is happening in the world of Melbourne theatre, head here.
