Melbourne's Best Independent Theatres
Curtains rise every night in Melbourne to cheering audiences anticipating the latest theatrical productions, and although there are plenty of mainstream, heritage-listed theatres to visit, many of the city’s most experimental and thought-provoking productions are held at independent theatres. Melbourne’s independent theatre scene hosts a variety of contemporary works packed with boundary-pushing narratives from emerging and established artists.
1. Melbourne Theatre Company
Melbourne Theatre Company
Australia’s oldest professional theatre company, the MTC was founded in 1953 by John Sumner and has since showcased more than 750 productions. Producing both classic and contemporary Australian and international theatre, MTC believes ‘that good theatre must contain all that life contains; the seemingly insignificant and the extravagantly momentous.’ In 2009 MTC added its Southbank Theatre location, hosting up to 12 plays a season. For August 2016, the MTC presents The Book Club, Jasper Jones and Disgraced.
Melbourne Theatre Company, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank,VIC, Australia +61 03 8688 0800
2. Malthouse Theatre
Movie Theater, Theatre
3. Union House
University
5. MKA
MKA
Victoria’s only new writing theatre MKA began in 2012 to cater to Melbourne’s expanding playwright’s community and has since produced contemporary work from emerging and established writers. Showcasing the transformative work of local and international artists, MKA aims to prompt conversation through innovative theatre. Originally based in Richmond, MKA is a nomadic theatre with no fixed address, preferring instead to pop up in unconventional theatre spaces.
MKA, Lot 2 / 24 Tanner Street Richmond, VIC, Australia
6. Red Stitch Actors' Theatre
Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre
Established in 2002, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre has become one of the most successful independent theatres in Melbourne due to their unique assembly of resident actors who collaborate on various productions. So far this year the close-knit ensemble have presented five contemporary plays with another five still to come, including Trevor, You Got Older, Sunshine, Uncle Vanya and Extinction. Red Stitch also run a graduate program for actors and INK playwrights program.
Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street St, Kilda, East Victoria, Australia +61 03 9533 8083
La Mama
Inspired by New York’s La MaMa on the Lower East Side, teacher Betty Burstall founded the intimate La Mama Theatre in Faraday Street, Carlton. Since 1967 the theatre has held 2,135 productions, with more than 50 new Australian works premiering annually. The not-for-profit theatre provides a rent-free venue for artists with an 80% box office return, and among the theatre’s alumni are David Williamson, Cate Blanchett and Julia Zemiro. Visit La Mama to discover experimental theatre and enjoy a cup of free coffee by the fire during intermissions.
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