The best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month

At a time when it feels more important than ever to encourage people to get out and support the local arts industry, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical arrives at the Princess Theatre full of an abundance of infectious energy. For longtime Neil Diamond fans, it's a no-brainer – this is a dazzling blockbuster of a show that honours the singer-songwriter’s career and legacy. But with stellar performances, slick production elements and that extensive setlist of hits, it seems inevitable that this particular jukebox musical will earn plenty of new fans in Melbourne, too.  

This astonishing new work from S Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack at MTC's Southbank Theatre will bowl you over. That they can still locate such luminosity in the darkest paces of this unrelenting horror is both testament to their artistry and the indomitable nature of humanity. Both Australian and Sri Lankan, The Jungle and the Sea is vital theatre. A call for peace, love, unity and understanding, it’s a cry in the endless night of war, beseeching it to end and never begin again. We are all the better for it.

If the words “it’s just a flesh wound!” ring a bell then you’ve likely come across the extremely funny 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail or the Eric Idle-penned musical Monty Python’s Spamalot based on the cult hit. After picking up three Tony Awards and 14 nominations during its original Broadway run in 2005, the cheeky Arthurian spoof went on to conquer stages around the world, including a Melbourne season in 2019. Now, the knights of the Round Table are saddling up once again for a limited run in Melbourne from September 16 to October 4. 

Melburnians, this news is Big. Huge. Pretty Woman: The Musical is coming to the Regent Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), with music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, this adaptation of the iconic Julia Roberts–Richard Gere romance brings Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis to life on stage. Aussie singer, songwriter and actress Samantha Jade will star as Vivian while Ben Hall (Neighbours, Better Man) will be Edward. There's wit, there's glamour and there's all the unforgettable lines you know and love. 

If you thought history class was boring, Six the Musical is here to change your mind. Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, this high-energy musical returns to Australia and will be at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from July 24. In this foot-tapping show, the six wives of King Henry VIII are reimagined as modern-day pop stars out to reclaim their stories. One by one, Catherine of Aragon (Sarah Murr), Anne Boleyn (Mia Paris Scalise), Jane Seymour (Cara Bessey), Anna of Cleves (Kadesa Honeyhill), Katherine Howard (Angela Brischetto) and Catherine Parr (Lorinda May Merrypor) take the mic, wowing you with their power ballads and rock anthems.