Fast approaching its 40th birthday while still looking as fresh and fabulous as ever, the
magnificently queer arts showcase that is Midsumma Festival returns in all its glory. Running from January 18 to February 8, it's ready to rock Melbourne’s coolest venues as the sun shines down.
Kicking off with bountiful beats as the Midsumma Carnival transforms Alexandra Gardens, the fun then sashays to St Kilda, where the annual Pride March lights up Fitzroy Street and Catani Gardens. Over in the northern 'burbs, Victoria’s Pride Street Party will see the action take over Gertrude and Smith Streets for a fifth year.
In between these big blowouts, you can get cultural with a raft of glittering arts events to take in. Here are our top tips on what to see, and you can explore the full program here.
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Where: Chapel Off Chapel
When: Jan 30-Feb 8
By Zeus’ thunder, how often do you get to worship an Olympian at Midsumma? The gay gods are shining down on us this year, with gold medal-winning diver Matthew Mitcham joining Cock star Julian Curtis and Titanique’s Matthew Predny in the Australian premiere of S. Asher Gelman’s beloved off-Broadway play. Exploring the aftermath of a married couple inviting a third into their bed, it’s a frank and fearless portrayal of polyamory.
Where: Cinema Nova
When: Jan 31-Feb 1
“She’s alive! ALIVE!” So says Colin Clive’s death-defying scientist in Bride of Frankenstein, the classic 1935 Universal monster movie. Helmed by English director James Whale, an out gay man in Hollywood when most were in the closet, the film is imbued with queerness. It joins camp fantastic Fucktoys, featuring Sadie Scott and Heated Rivalry’s François Arnaud, plus a retrospective screening of John Waters’ musical, Hairspray, in this Melbourne Queer Film Festival sidebar.
Where: Malthouse Theatre
When: Jan 21-31
Non-binary superhero Zoe Terakes is a multi-hyphenate marvel, acting on stage in Metamorphoses, TV’s Wentworth and scary movie, Talk to Me. Having recently published their fantastic book Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, they’ll also present a staged reading of new work, Hermaphroditus, as part of the inaugural Trans Theatre Festival. Fellow trans pioneers Travis Alabanza, Glace Chase and Māori star Daley Rangi share the spotlight.
Where: Meat Market
When: Jan 30-31
For those brave enough to embrace audience participation, award-winning Wiradjuri choreographer Joel Bray invites Midsumma guests to join him and his fellow dancers in a call-and-response reimagining of the Giilang, the origin story of the Murrumbidgee River. With a pulsing electronica score by Byron Scullin and dazzling light design from Katie Sfetkidis, it celebrates Country by way of club kids.
Where: Gasworks Arts Park
When: Jan 19
Why settle for one play when you can see titbits of five in one night? Continuing a grand tradition, Gasworks presents a tasting platter of new works from Sammaneh Pourshafighi, Lyall Brooks, Gabrielle Fallen, Hiroki Kobayashi and Anthony Nocera. You’ll be able to see the winner presented in full at next year’s Midsumma. And be sure to check out full stagings of previous winners from Tom Ballard and Danish Sheikh.
Where: Melbourne Recital Centre
When: Jan 29-31
Gender euphoria personified, Melbourne diva Mama Alto is a cabaret star beyond compare. Fresh from presenting this sublime new arrangement of torch songs and jazz numbers at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre in New York, she will beguile Recital Centre audiences with a sprinkle of Sondheim, a glimmer of Billie Holiday and a dash of Jacques Prévert. Who could resist such sweet soul music?
Where: fortyfivedownstairs
When: Jan 27-Feb 8
Trans masc playwright Ben MacEllen embraces one of Australia (and the world’s) richest theatrical veins by dropping in on a small town full of secrets. After the death of their mate Barb, a tightly bound group of women find their sense of one another fraying as one announces their transition. With a stacked cast including the mighty Maude Davey, Michelle Perera, Alessandra Merlo, Rebecca Bower and Oliver Ayres, this will rock.
Where: State Library Victoria
When: Jan 31
With all sorts of stupidity being hurled at delightful drag stars reading kids’ books to excitable whipper snappers, this very special event at the State Library turns the concept on its head. Whadjuk Noongar television host Narelda Jacobs and her wife Karina Natt will read from their new picture book, If Queers Weren’t Meant to Have Kids..., but the evening is strictly for folks 18-plus, so expect a side of sass with the accompanying drag performances.
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne
When: Jan 13-25
Fresh from a stint at the Edinburgh Festival, the latest play from Ro Bright, also the program director at Melbourne Queer Film Festibal, features the irrepressible Tomáš Kantor as the gender-fluid twink of the title. They’ve watched Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman one too many times and want in on rose-tinted sex work action, targeting daddies with bank for bonks. Thus begins a fabulous voyage of self-discovery, thrumming with pop bangers.
Where: Theatre Works
When: Jan 21-31
With the tennis running concurrently with Midsumma, this new play from Angus Cameron (Iphigenia in Splott) is the perfect pairing for a doubles match. Directed by Riley Spadaro, it centres on fractious couple Felix (Sebastian Li) and professional player Lucas (Eddie Orton). The latter just lost to Federer and it’s overshadowing Felix’s birthday. But the biggest fault line comes when they inform their parents that they’ll keep their relationship open after marrying.
Here’s our guide to the Melbourne’s gay venues, our home ground where communities not only come together, but where the can relax and enjoy themselves.
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