Each time the curtain comes up at La Mama theatre, you’re in for a new experience – something curious, fresh and soul-stirring.
Since 1967, Carlton’s La Mama theatre has been a pillar of Melbourne’s experimental scene, providing a place for outside-of-the-box ideas to blossom.
These days, La Mama is still going strong as one of our city’s favourite coffee-house theatres, helping to foster the careers of some of Australia’s buzziest theatre professionals and giving audiences the chance to see top-tier performances right in front of their eyes.
In 2026, the theatre is starting the season off strong with four months of programming featuring cultural curiosities, period pieces, black comedies and so much more. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and maybe you’ll laugh until you cry, all within an arm’s reach of the talented actors.
So without further ado, here’s what La Mama’s showing from February until May. Book soon, because tickets are going to fly.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
月を見る夜 Moongazing
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- 4-22 February
- Tickets here
This gorgeous piece from Maki Morita blends Japanese folktales, the digital world and Noh theatre influences into a meditation on memory, friendship and the big things we lose as life speeds up. Expect haunting visuals and emotional resonance, all on La Mama’s intimate, welcoming stage.
S A I N T S
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- 6-27 February
- Tickets here
Set in a revolutionary 1654 England gone mad with prophets, witches and spies, this satirical romp from Elbow Room asks: who gets to say they’re on the “right side” of history? Anna keeps having eerie dreams that end up coming true, kicking off an unsettling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sharp, quirky and haunting, it’s not to be missed.
Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret
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- 10-29 March
- Tickets here
Gothic, gripping and deeply human, this is the final chapter of Glenn Shea’s 30-year Indigenous Trilogy. When three siblings of the Stolen Generation return to their family’s homestead after a death, long-buried secrets come to light, with emotional and possibly terrifying consequences.
Back to Te Maunga
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- 4-22 March
- Tickets here
In this riveting Māori drama, two old mates return to a cabin in rural Aotearoa in what’s supposed to be a joyous commemoration of their best friend who passed away. However, instead, they’re forced to confront some truths they’ve dodged for years. Exploring friendship and grief, it’s touching and full of tense reveals.
Spare a Thought for Jana Wendt
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- 8-26 April
- Tickets here
Touching on themes of privilege and class, Nicola Watson’s new black comedy sees three friends book a stay in a bougie AirBnB. What’s supposed to be a relaxing, glamorous trip turns pear-shaped when they begin to ponder if there’s someone else out there, and what that could mean.
Head | Thorax | Abdomen
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- 8-26 April
- Tickets here
Part thriller, part dark comedy and all kinds of delightfully strange, this James Hazelden-written and directed show traps three characters, Wendy, David and Isha, inside a surreal puzzle of their own making. If you like your theatre mysterious and darkly hilarious, this one’s a chewy treat.
GAG REFLEX
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- 7-23 May
- Tickets here
In an attempt to get a little cash so they can have the summer of their dreams, three extremely inexperienced best friends sprint to write shocking erotica to win a writing contest. Awkwardness and tomfoolery ensue. Bold, unapologetic and seriously funny, this is the perfect cheeky end to the season.
STUCK
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- 6-24 May
- Tickets here
Closing out May, this black comedy pits women against each other (and oppressive systems) in a fluorescent-lit throwdown of wit. Set in a deli, this sharp, smart and bitterly funny performance speaks truth to power with sparkle and edge, made by an incredible team of women, including playwright Megan Twycross and director Susie Dee.
To check out everything happening at La Mama this year, head here.
This article was made in partnership with La Mama Theatre.
