Arts Centre Melbourne

Blanche DuBois is the fragile heart of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire and the easiest character in the Western canon to do an impression of. Chuck on some pearls, a white debutante-like fit and throw back a whiskey before you try your hand at a Southern drawl and you’ve got her, or at least some of her. If a classic, as the Italian writer Italo Calvino once defined, is a text that ‘has never finished saying what it has to say’ then Williams’ DuBois says more eighty years on with a string of pearls and a Mississippi accent than most of our classics ever could.  Such is the enduring power of Williams’ poetic realism, and the reason why this superficial revival from Melbourne Theatre Company feels so frustrating: for all the expectations or stereotypes we might have going in, the best productions and performances of this theatrical classic will rise above them all. A few sterling performances and technically impressive design cannot erase the fact that this production simply doesn’t know what William’s classic isn’t finished telling us.  Nikki Shiels is our Blanche, entering with a cat-like elegance in a long sheer dress and her iconic mop of curls. She truly is one of our best, commanding the stage with an ease and charisma few could replicate. Impressive vocal acrobatics (and an equally impressive Mississippi accent) show her signalling the complex play of insecurity and entitlement that defines Blanche with quick movements between her crystallin

Something special is happening right now at Bangarra Dance Theatre and it's on its way to Arts Centre Melbourne. Soon, Melburnians can experience a groundbreaking cultural journey with the theatre's first-ever cross-cultural mainstage production. Horizon brings together the creative forces of two distinguished First Nations choreographers on the Melbourne stage from August 29 until September 7. Featuring expressive costumes and versatile dancers, Horizon delves into narratives that pay homage to the First Peoples of the Oceania region, spanning (so-called) Australia, the Torres Strait Islands, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). It explores themes of resilience and cultural heritage, weaving together stories that transcend oceans and generations. Māori choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson, known for his transformative works with Atamira Dance Company and recently appointed as Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the New Zealand Dance Company, joins forces with Bangarra alumna Deborah Brown. Brown, a senior dancer with Bangarra for thirteen years, has garnered acclaim for her choreographic prowess and mesmerising performances. The production opens with ‘Kulka’, an expanded iteration of Sani Townson’s celebrated work from Dance Clan, which Time Out’s critic described as “innovative and captivating”. Townson, a descendant of the Saibai Koedal and Samu Clans of Saibai Island, brings his Torres Strait heritage to life through evocative choreography that honours his grandfather and

Having earned five Tony Awards and secured its position as a Broadway smash hit, Peter and the Starcatcher – a Peter Pan spin-off that tells the magical story of the birth of Neverland – is hitting Australian stages for the first time in late 2024. After making its Australian debut at Canberra Theatre Centre in October, the fantastical show will arrive at Arts Centre Melbourne from November 8.  Telling the story of Neverland before it became what we know it as now, Peter and the Starcatcher is a whimsical exploration of imagination and nostalgia, described by the New York Times as “a blissful exercise in the make believe”. The stellar cast has now been announced and will include stars of both the screen and stage. Comedian and TV personality Pete Helliar will take on the role of Smee and Otis Dhanji (Aquaman, The Unlisted) will play Boy/Peter. Colin Lane of Lano and Woodley has been cast as Black Stache and Olivia Deeble (Home and Away) will play Molly.  Rounding out the impressive cast are Alison Whyte (Groundhog Day the Musical), Paul Capsis (The Rocky Horror Show), Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Hugh Parker (The Family Law) and Morgan Francis (Boy, Lost).  Originally written by the mind behind Jersey Boys and Adams Family, and developed by Disney Theatrical Group, the all-new production has been reimagined with direction from Australian David Morton. His award-winning theatre company Dead Puppet Society has been tasked with bringing the show to life for an Aust

Edit: A second Melbourne show has been added to Dolly Alderton's tour, after her first date completely sold out. She'll now be doing a show at the Palais Theatre on November 13 in addition to her booked out talk at the Arts Centre Melbourne on November 14. Tickets to her talk at the Palais Theatre are on sale now, you can buy them here – snap them up while you can! If you know a young woman who's an avid reader, chances are her eyes will light up at the mention of best-selling author Dolly Alderton. The British writer skyrocketed to popularity with her debut memoir-turned-TV show, Everything I Know About Love – a quasi-bible for those navigating life in the fraught 20s age demographic.  For the very first time, Alderton is headed Down Under for a tour of talks, off the back of her latest New York Times best-selling novel Good Material. She's heading to Arts Centre Melbourne for an appearance on November 14, and bringing along her latest stories for Melburnians to enjoy. Not only is she a beloved author, but Alderton originally gained recognition for her Sunday Times 'Dear Dolly' advice column – and she'll incorporate her favourite anecdotes from this within her live show, as well as her own insightful musings on various aspects of life. Audiences will have a chance to ask questions of their own, too, so get brainstorming.  Alderton will also make appearances in Sydney on November 5 and 6, Perth on November 10 and Brisbane on November 17 before heading to Wellington on Novembe