Ten productions, six new Australian works and one actor playing scenes with herself.
Malthouse Theatre has announced its 2026 season with Christie Whelan Browne taking centre stage in All About Eve. The Melbourne venue’s program spans contemporary drama, iconic adaptations, comedy and cabaret across the year.
The season opens with two new Malthouse commissions starting with Black Light from 13 February to 7 March, written and directed by Larrakia, Yanyuwa, Bardi and Wardaman person Jada Alberts. The production stars real-life sisters Lisa Maza and Rachael Maza in an intimate portrait of contemporary Blak motherhood. From 1 to 23 May, Game. Set. Match. written by and starring Gamilaroi actor Megan Wilding takes audiences from rom-com to revenge thriller under the direction of Jessica Arthur.
Malthouse Theatre 2026 Season
- Black Light: 13 February to 7 March, Merlyn Theatre
- Game. Set. Match.: 1 to 23 May, Beckett Theatre
- Pride and Prejudice: 14 to 23 May, Merlyn Theatre
- HOUSE OF ROT: GREY GARDENS: 18 to 20 June, Merlyn Theatre
- Vista: 22 July to 1 August, Merlyn Theatre
- Break of Day: 7 to 29 August, Merlyn Theatre
- The Nightline: 13 to 29 August, Bagging Room
- Koreaboo: 24 September to 10 October, Beckett Theatre
- Ritual Ritual Ritual: 19 to 31 October, Beckett Theatre
- All About Eve: 20 November to 12 December, Merlyn Theatre
- Tickets: On sale now via malthousetheatre.com.au with 25% early bird discount until 31 October
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The world premiere of Steve Rodgers’ Break of Day runs from 7 to 29 August with director Sarah Goodes reuniting with Kat Stewart for a story about a mother and daughter in a town the NBN forgot. Incoming Artistic Director Dean Bryant directs Ivo van Hove’s stage adaptation of All About Eve from 20 November to 12 December, with Whelan Browne playing both aging Broadway star Margo Channing and ingénue Eve Harrington, often performing scenes with herself.
Michelle Lim Davidson’s Koreaboo arrives at Malthouse from 24 September to 10 October following a sold-out 2025 season at Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney. The production directed by Jessica Arthur follows a tender journey to Seoul exploring identity and belonging. Paul Capsis and Adam Noviello bring Green Door Theatre Company’s HOUSE OF ROT: GREY GARDENS to the Merlyn from 18 to 20 June, centred around two eccentric recluses in a decaying mansion.
Bloomshed’s Pride and Prejudice
Bloomshed’s Pride and Prejudice runs from 14 to 23 May after a critically acclaimed tour through Preston, Geelong and Canberra in 2025, giving Jane Austen’s classic a modern twist set against a housing crisis. Choreographer Stephanie Lake returns in July with contemporary dance work Vista from 22 July to 1 August, while The Nightline transforms the Bagging Room from 13 to 29 August with a live performance experience created by Roslyn Oades and Bob Scott exploring loneliness through anonymous voice messages from shift workers, insomniacs and night owls.
The program also includes world premiere Ritual Ritual Ritual by Rae Perks from 19 to 31 October, the 10th anniversary of Malthouse Comedy from 26 March to 19 April, and the inaugural Australian Trans Theatre Festival from 19 to 31 January featuring Travis Alabanza, Daley Rangi and Zoe Terakes.
For more information, head here.
