Melbourne Recital Centre pushing boundaries in 2025 with a comedy debut and bold Artist-in-Residence
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22.01.2025

Melbourne Recital Centre pushing boundaries in 2025 with a comedy debut and bold Artist-in-Residence

Melbourne Recital Centre
Kate Berlant will make her Australian debut in Melbourne Recital Centre's debut comedy show.
Words by Staff Writer

Melbourne Recital Centre has announced a series of transformative initiatives, including a pioneering artist residency, ambitious rebrand, and first-ever foray into comedy.

At the forefront of this transformation is the appointment of audio-visual innovator Robin Fox as the Centre’s 2025 Artist-in-Residence. Fox, who recently claimed the Isao Tomita Special Prize at Ars Electronica 2023, brings decades of experience in mechanical synaesthesia and electronic composition to the role, having performed his revolutionary laser works in more than 60 cities worldwide.

His appointment marks a decisive step toward embracing experimental electronic music within the Centre’s historically classical programming. Fox’s first performance as resident artist will be TRIPTYCH, an immersive audio-visual experience that transforms the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall through custom-built hardware and synchronized laser works.

“Major audiovisual experiences such as TRIPTYCH are as much about the music as they are about the powerful connection between sound and light,” Fox explained. “Despite being loud, I never want them to feel aggressive – rather something that’s so overwhelming that you have kind of a religious experience.”

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

MESS co-founder Robin Fox announced as Melbourne Recital’s 2025 Artist-in-Residence

Portals to artistic discovery

This artistic direction aligns with the Centre’s comprehensive rebranding effort, developed in partnership with Melbourne-based creative agency Studio MASS. The new visual identity draws from the building’s distinctive architecture, particularly its hexagonal “honeycomb” windows, reimagining them as portals to artistic discovery.

Studio MASS founder Tim Kotsiakos noted that the redesign aimed to capture the venue’s adventurous spirit. “We designed it with the same adventurous spirit that has always defined the venue – one that inspires, challenges and rewards those ready to explore something new. As the Arts Precinct continues to evolve, this new brand positions the Centre confidently at the heart of Melbourne’s musical landscape.”

Kate Berlant’s Australian debut

The transformation also extends beyond visual elements, as evidenced by the Centre’s first venture into comedy programming, securing experimental comedian Kate Berlant for her Australian debut on March 7, 2025.

Berlant, whose one-woman play KATE earned critical acclaim across New York, London, and LA, has a referential, meta approach to performance that’s earned praise from industry heavyweights, with director Bo Burnham describing her as “the most influential, imitated comedian of a generation.”

Marshall McGuire, Director of Programming at Melbourne Recital Centre, emphasized how these changes align with the venue’s founding mission. “Each year, we’re proud to present the Artist-in-Residence program as one of the many ways Melbourne Recital Centre supports outstanding Australian artists. We look forward to working with Robin in 2025 to help bring even more of his innovative ideas to life.”

Melbourne Recital CEO Sandra Willis highlighted how the rebrand and programming shifts followed extensive consultation with audiences and stakeholders throughout 2024. “As Melbourne Recital Centre enters its exciting next chapter, our new identity exemplifies our bold vision for the future of live music in Australia.”

For Fox, who holds a PhD in composition from Monash University and founded the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS), the residency represents an opportunity to push the boundaries of electronic music in a premium, ever-evolving acoustic space.

“The Recital Centre is always pushing boundaries and welcoming all genres of music. It’s exciting to create something that surprises people.”

Dive into Melbourne Recital Centre’s beautiful new website and 2025 programming here.