Here's what's on in Melbourne theatre this month.
Melburnians are blessed when it comes to theatre. From the East End district showing globally acclaimed shows to the avant-garde black boxes and little stages spread throughout the suburbs, there’s always something to see.
This month, catch international drag favourites, hilarious romps, stunning operas and crushing dramas.
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Whether you’re a theatre aficionado, an aspiring actor or just looking for a way to spend a lazy Sunday arvo with the family, this month’s events calendar is jam-packed with gems. Read on to discover what’s on in Melbourne theatre this July.
The best theatre in Melbourne this month
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical
- Her Majesty’s Theatre
- Throughout July
Be enchanted by Disney’s classic tale brought to life in a spectacular production featuring beloved songs and dazzling performances.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Musical is coming to Melbourne in 2024
Poetica
- La Mama Courthouse
- July 2
Poetica features the somatic, unifying poetry of Tariro Mavondo, along with readings from Rose Lucas’s new book Remarkable as Breathing, Brendan Ryan’s exploration of rural landscapes in Feldspar and the alert, sharply observant poetry of genderqueer transfemme poet Josie/Jocelyn Suzanne.
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Jon & Jero: The Forgotten Tales
- La Mama Courthouse
- July 4 to 7
Jon & Jero love telling stories but often forget how they go, so they need your help to decide what happens next in their fantastical adventures! The Forgotten Tales, ideal for kids five and up, promises a wondrous exploration of imagination with big characters, music, clowning and physical comedy.
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Macbeth (An Undoing)
- Malthouse Theatre
- July 5 to 28
Visionary playwright Zinnie Harris reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth from Lady Macbeth’s viewpoint, exploring ambition and rebellion, starring Bojana Novakovic and Johnny Carr in a gripping tale of power and transformation directed by Matthew Lutton.
Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before: Tickets to Macbeth (An Undoing) on sale now
A Streetcar Named Desire
- Playhouse
- From July 9
Nikki Shiels stars as Blanche DuBois, a Southern belle whose hidden secrets intensify the volatile marriage of her sister Stella and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire.
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Once Upon a Rhyme
- Arrow On Swanston
- July 9 to 13
Join Em the Storyteller in her land of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, where magical mail arrives from beloved nursery rhyme characters, promising an hour of fun with stories, original songs and surprises for kids 10 and under.
Explorations: Holy Fool
- La Mama HQ
- July 16 to 18
In 2024, amid chaos, Fabio Motta, a thespian-turned-spiritual jester, seeks world harmony through a comedic exploration of the Fool to Saint journey, drawing inspiration from Italy’s Saint Francis of Assisi to uncover divine wisdom in foolishness.
Trophy Boys
- Arts Centre Melbourne
- July 16 to 21
A satirical drag extravaganza delving into power dynamics and adolescent masculinity unfolds during the high-stakes Grand Finale of Melbourne’s Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament.
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By Jane’s Hand
- La Mama Courthouse
- July 17 to 28
A whimsical look into Jane Austen’s mind, this show blends music and verbatim theatre to explore her life and creations. Featuring three actors portraying Jane and characters from Pride and Prejudice, this intergenerational feminist piece invites audiences to immerse themselves in Austen’s world and discover new insights.
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Kabarisqué
- Club Voltaire
- July 20
Darling and Daring invites you to Club Voltaire’s intimate 50-seat theatre for Kabarisqué, a monthly cabaret show featuring a seductive and spicy blend of circus and burlesque.
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Daniel
- La Mama HQ
- July 19 to 21
Daniel, a tech contractor at a remote military base uncovers unsettling truths about his work and faces the internal struggle of whether to expose the secrets, delving into themes of surveillance, complicity, office dynamics and the daily grind of a disliked job.
This is Wild!: Bob the Drag Queen
- Plenary Theatre
- July 20
Bob the Drag Queen’s first solo stand-up world tour is here, promising a night of side-splitting wit, razor-sharp observations and hilarious personal anecdotes. Get ready for a unique comedy experience with pop culture dissections, sassy social commentary and unexpected twists – strictly for ages 18 and up.
King Lear
- Arts Centre Melbourne
- From July 25
Bell Shakespeare presents King Lear, Shakespeare’s epic tale of family discord and a nation in turmoil, directed by Peter Evans and starring Robert Menzies. This heart-wrenching production promises to be a powerful and unforgettable experience.
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Breaking the Waves
- Hamer Hall
- July 26
Explore Missy Mazzoli’s powerful opera, adapted from Lars von Trier’s film, delving into a young woman’s challenging journey of love, sacrifice and emotional extremes, hailed as one of the best operas of the 21st century.
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Just the Three of Us: The Improvised Sitcom by The Big Hoo-Haa!
- The Butterfly Club
- July 27
Just the Three of Us is an improvised TV sitcom featuring Big Hoo-Haa’s favourite players, delivering laughs, heartfelt moments and unique characters in each episode. Enjoy the hilarity and charm of this new hit show that hasn’t been written yet!
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To find out what else is happening in the world of Melbourne theatre, head here.
