Victoria's hub of performing arts is at
Southbank, located just across the Yarra River from Melbourne's CBD.
- The Arts Centre - www.theartscentre.com.au
- Located on St Kilda Road between the Yarra River and the National Gallery of Victoria, is a huge complex made up of two main buildings, and also the Sidney Myer Music Bowl which is situated across the road in Kings Domain gardens. You can't miss the main "theatre" building - it's the one with the big spire sitting on top, like a mini Eiffel Tower. The theatre building houses the State Theatre, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, George Adams Gallery, St Kilda Road Foyer Gallery, and Cafe Vic. On the other side, facing the the river, is Hamer Hall. The Arts Centre has regular performances by Opera Australia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Ballet, the Melbourne Theatre Company and many touring productions.
- Chunky Move - www.chunkymove.com.au
- An innovative dance company housed at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. It is continuously in the throes of developing new, unusual, and exciting dance productions. Formed in 1995, they tour worldwide and have regular performances in Australia, including at the Malthouse Theatre next door. The company has its studios and also offers a wide range of dance classes.
- Malthouse Theatre - www.malthousetheatre.com.au
- The Malthouse Theatre develops imaginative and unconventional contemporary theatre productions, designed to offset Australia's cultural and artistic diversity. The theatre company's home at CUB Malthouse houses three theatres, a cafe and bar, and rehearsal studios. The building itself has an interesting history, originally built as a malt house and brewery in 1892. Carlton and United Breweries (hence CUB) donated the building in 1986 for the advancement of Australian theatre. As well as the Malthouse Theatre Company, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian Opera, Bell Shakespeare and many others use the venues.
- Melbourne Recital Centre - www.melbournerecital.com.au
- The Melbourne Recital Centre is housed within a striking building which is a piece of modern architecture that is art itself, both inside and out. The building's acoustic design is also apparently state of the art. The centre offers a broad variety of musical experiences, including chamber music, traditional ensembles and acoustic performances. It is also a venue for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
- Melbourne Theatre Company - www.mtc.com.au
- The theatre which is home to this group is also another building offering a striking example of Melbourne's innovative architecture. The company presents an eclectic selection of productions - ranging from international classics to contemporary Australian theatre.
- Victorian College of the Arts and Music - www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
- A faculty of the University of Melbourne, it is located on St Kilda Road and not only showcases student theatre and dance productions, but also offers are regular music recitals, concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions and free public lectures. Some of Australia's best artists were students of the original art school here, including Fred McCubbin and Arthur Boyd, amongst others.
Theatres in Melbourne city centre and suburbs
Enjoy seeing a theatrical production at one of Melbourne's historic theatres.
- Her Majesty's Theatre - www.hmt.com.au
- The stomping ground for international musical and concert acts visiting from around the globe, Her Majesty's Theatre is an Exhibition Street icon in Melbourne's CBD. The historical building is grand in its architecture having been built in 1886 as the Alexandra Theatre for the Princess of Wales at the time. A second-to-none entertainment venue.
- Princess Theatre - www.marrinergroup.com.au
- Far from Her Majesty's little sister, the Princess Theatre in Melbourne is a true gem of a venue. Able to hold thousands of revellers you will usually find the more modern act call the Princess home and will find the "young" crowd frequent the joint most weekends.
- Regent Theatre - www.marrinergroup.com.au
- Another gorgeous Victorian artefact which was first opened in 1929. Expect to find large-scale international musicals and stage shows at the Regent, located in Melbourne's CBD on Collins Street.
- Palais Theatre - www.palaistheatre.net.au
- When it first opened at bayside St Kilda in 1927, it was one of the largest theatres in the country. Since then, this iconic venue has hosted live music concerts, comedy events, stage productions and film screenings.
- Drum Theatre - www.drumtheatre.com.au
- Located within the Dandenong town hall building, the Drum Theatre provides a performing arts venue which showcases a full calendar of high quality performances.
Melbourne is also home to a diverse range of small independent theatre companies and alternative venues. There is some excellent new emerging talent, and experimental theatre, musical and physical theatre abounds. Theatre Alive promotes and lists many of the small theatre company productions.
Performing arts in regional areas of Victoria
The arts scene in
Wodonga is thriving and it's home to one of Australia's best-known regional theatre companies - the
Hothouse Theatre Company. The company resides in the Butter Factory Theatre - a former dairy built in 1928, and transformed into a theatre in 1997. Lots of original work has been brought to the stage, and the theatre company has won many awards. Also operating are a drama school and technical theatre training program.
Ballarat has several theatres and a thriving performance scene. Many of the theatres are beautifully restored old buildings, the most notable of which is Her Majesty's Theatre where some of Australia's premier touring acts appear. Held annually in Ballarat is the Royal South Street Eisteddfod which is Australia's most acclaimed eisteddfod and has produced many great artists. It is held over 14 weeks each year, and includes performances in voice, music, dance and more.
In Bendigo, the city's finest venue is The Capital which is the place to find a modern-take on a Shakespearean classic and the like.
Melbourne's nearby neighbour, Geelong, encourages artistic and culturally diverse endeavours. There are many art galleries and studios, an arts society and the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. This centre features both local and touring productions, educational programs, travelling comedians, orchestras, musicals, and the popular "Musical Mornings" featuring some great singers and musicians. A great regional venue for Victoria to boast about.
The Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre (BPACC) is located north-east of Melbourne at Benalla. This venue is a modern art Mecca offering convention facilities, concert halls and a huge auditorium. The BPACC usually plays host to musicals, musician acts and dramatic arts performances.
In Western Victoria, the Horsham Town Hall truly puts Horsham on the map. A favourite stomping ground for Arts Victoria shows and visitors - the rural city of Horsham's true pride and joy.
