January 2026: Every Melburnian knows that the best place to be during a summer heatwave is in the theatre – and luckily, there's plenty to see this month as the temperature rises. 'Anastasia' has finally opened at the Regent Theatre, and this family-friendly production makes for a captivating tale of romance and adventure. 'MJ the Musical' has been extended until March 1, which means you still have time to catch the dazzling spectacle before it moonwalks out of town. And back by popular demand is the MTC's 'My Brilliant Career' – with returning star Kala Gare shining bright as Miles Franklin’s headstrong hero, Sybylla Melvyn.
From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this month.
When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.
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Whether you’re a child of the ‘90s who grew up on a diet of animated films or simply a fan of feel-good musicals the whole family can enjoy, Anastasia makes for a charming theatre experience. And while some of the historical references (however glossed over they may be) will probably go right over the heads of any little ones, it won’t distract from magic of this captivating tale.
Say the words Saturday Night Fever and pretty much everyone conjures up John Travolta sashaying in a blazing white flared suit on a rainbow flashing dancefloor, gesticulating to the Bee Gees’ high-pitched vocals. No wonder. It’s an iconic moment, set to a stellar soundtrack that remains one of the best-selling of all time, bested only by Whitney Houston and co on The Bodyguard. Drew Anthony Creative’s new production of Nan Knighton, Arlene Phillips, Paul Nicholas and Robert Stigwood’s 1998 jukebox musical, presented at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, leans into musical magnificence set to a funky beat far more than it acknowledges and embraces the darkness beyond the 2001 Odyssey club’s bright lights.
It's been seen by more than a million people on Broadway and many more on the West End, and now the Tony Award-winning MJ the Musical is heading to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. Centred around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ the Musical features more than 25 of Michael Jackon’s biggest pop hits set to show-stopping dance numbers, including ‘Beat It’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘Man In The Mirror’ and ‘Thriller’.
Due to popular demand, Melbourne Theatre Company's rip-roaring musical adaptation of My Brilliant Career is returning for a limited five-week run in 2026. This incredible production takes one of the best-known early Australian novels, the 1901 book of the same name by Miles Franklin, and twists it into a musical for a new generation. Six star Kala Gare is reprising her role as Sybylla Melvyn, with much of the original ensemble of actor-musicians also coming back.
Combining acrobatics, aerial artistry and truly spectacular visuals, Duck Pond pulls apart one of the world’s most famous ballets and rebuilds it into a one-of-a-kind production, sparkling with wit and wonder. Presented by homegrown circus innovators Circa in collaboration with House of Oz, the show fuses Swan Lake withThe Ugly Duckling, borrowing the magic of both stories before turning them inside out. Audiences can expect a dazzling production of swans and hapless princes, with traditional ballet broken up by moments of body-contorting acrobatics, slapstick comedy and an original score by Jethro Woodward, remixed with a heavy trap beat.
If you’re ready to pop the Champers, laugh ’til your belly hurts and revel in tricks you didn’t know were humanly possible, strap in for a glittering night at Blanc de Blanc Encore. The cabaret spectacle fuses a delectable mix of circus, cabaret, jazz and comedy (with a couple of bottles of bubbles for good measure) for an effervescent night out – leave the kids at home for this one.
Not all seats are created equal. Sure, there are some shows so spectacular and unmissable you’d happily sit anywhere, but most experiences in the theatre can be augmented by the best seats in the house. And occasionally ruined by the worst. So, without further ado, we give them to you.
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