THEATRE WORKS SEASON
2025
FOREWORD
THEATRE WORKS 2025: RESILIENCE AND AMBITION
As we step into 2025, we reflect on a year defined by challenges and triumphs. Despite reduced funding and no federal support, Theatre Works remains steadfast in championing Australian theatre, producing bold work and supporting independent artists.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
In 2024, Theatre Works presented an impressive 57 productions across two venues, featuring 360 performances and showcasing the work of over 550 artists. These achievements were realised despite significant challenges, including production cancellations due to burnout, financial pressures, and lingering COVID impacts. This resilience reflects the dedication of our artists and audiences in sustaining vibrant independent theatre.
Our partnership with CollArts produced two works, offering invaluable opportunities for emerging artists. Reduced funding led to difficult decisions, including necessary staffing cuts, which impacted our capacity but not our determination to deliver highquality, independent theatre.
We also celebrated the contributions of extraordinary practitioners like Steven Mitchell Wright and Kitan Petkovski, who both moved on from Theatre Works in 2024. Their visionary leadership and mentorship left an indelible mark, influencing the independent theatre sector and inspiring future generations of artists.
A SEASON OF HOPE AND GROWTH
In February 2025, we proudly open our new rehearsal space, a stateof-the-art facility designed to support independent artists with the tools and resources they need to thrive. This milestone represents our unwavering commitment to creating environments where artistry can flourish.
We are also thrilled to see four Theatre Works plays added to the Schools Curriculum play list, ensuring our stories inspire and educate the next generation. This achievement underlines our role in amplifying Australian voices and fostering a deeper connection to theatre.
Our 2025 season showcases both ambition and diversity. Returning collaborators Lyric Opera and Neylon & Peele bring their rich expertise, while new partnerships with Watch This and Antipodes Theatre introduce fresh perspectives. Alongside the emerging talent highlighted in our Fresh Works stream, the season features experienced and accomplished artists whose work continues to redefine contemporary Australian theatre.
RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY
Amidst ongoing funding challenges, the support of our community remains crucial. This generosity enables us to provide vital opportunities for independent artists, presenting bold, unforgettable experiences for audiences. Theatre Works stands as a beacon for innovation and artistry, an enduring home for those shaping the future of Australian theatre.
Together, we’ll champion ambition, celebrate excellence, and transform the cultural landscape. Thank you for being part of this journey.
ABOUT THEATRE WORKS
Theatre Works is an artist-first organisation dedicated to supporting emerging, established, local, and national artists in bringing their visions to life with minimal compromise. We champion artistic labour, foster risk-taking, and embrace bold new ideas. Our goal is for every artist who steps into our theatre to define and achieve their own version of success.
At Theatre Works, the artist’s unique definition of success drives our programming. Whether their ambition lies in experimentation, exposure, artistic or business development, commercial success, or expansion, we tailor our support to meet those goals. We reject a onesize-fits-all model, prioritising flexibility and adaptability to the diverse aspirations of our artists.
As we work to become the epicentre of independent theatre in Australia, we focus on empowering and investing in artists of all backgrounds, identities, and levels of experience.
Our programming reflects, redefines, and reimagines contemporary Australia and its theatrical practices, cementing Theatre Works’ vital role in the national theatre landscape.
In recent years, funding constraints have forced us to make difficult decisions, including discontinuing
beloved programs like Companies in Residence, the She Writes Collective, and the First Stories Festival. While we can no longer sustain these initiatives, their legacies endure in the artists and works they shaped. These programs have left a lasting imprint on our values and continue to inspire our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Today, Theatre Works prioritises building resilience and capacity within the independent sector through initiatives like the Associate Artists Program, the Early Career Artists Program, and commissioning innovative new works. We are also proud to champion LGBTIQA+ stories through our role as a Midsumma Festival Hub, and to nurture emerging work and new voices through our Fringe Festival Hub.
Fiercely local yet outward-looking, Theatre Works is committed to growing its significant legacy as a producing house. We champion and develop our artists, valuing their contributions and wisdom. Together, we will continue to create a space where ambition and creativity thrive, ensuring Theatre Works remains a vital force in the independent arts sector.
ACLAND STREET REDEVELOPMENT
In February 2025, Theatre Works will open the doors to its revitalised venue, redefining its role as a leading cultural hub that champions innovation, accessibility, and collaboration. This redevelopment enriches contemporary theatre practice while strengthening connections with the St Kilda community, Victoria, and Australia’s cultural life.
This transformation promises lasting benefits for artists, audiences, and the community:
• Enhanced Facilities: The upgraded venue will feature modern, accessible spaces, including a new backstage building with a much-needed workshop and rehearsal space, a state-of-the-art lighting grid, and improved technical support. These upgrades will foster creative expression and elevate the audience experience.
• Preservation of Heritage: We are committed to restoring the historic Parish Hall, Theatre Works’ home since 1986. This redevelopment ensures its legacy endures for generations to come.
• Community Engagement: The revitalised venue will act as a focal point for community interaction, education, and enjoyment, offering inclusive, meaningful, and accessible cultural programming.
• Economic Impact: By stimulating local tourism, job creation, and cultural investment, the project will boost the local economy while cementing Theatre Works as a vital contributor to Australia’s arts ecosystem.
Opening in 2025, this transformation marks a bold step forward, ensuring Theatre Works remains a vibrant, enduring force in the cultural landscape.
EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
Located in the heart of St Kilda, the Explosives Factory is a versatile venue at the centre of Theatre Works’ programming. Once a fireworks workshop, the space has transformed into a creative hub where artists of all levels share their boldest stories.
Found at Rear Laneway 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda (behind Thrifty-Link, with access via Lyell and Market Streets), the Explosives Factory offers an intimate theatre experience. With a flexible 60-seat capacity, it’s ideal for performances that shine in a smaller, more immersive environment.
At Theatre Works, we’re all about supporting independent artists, from fresh new voices to seasoned professionals. The Explosives Factory is the
place where creativity and collaboration come to life, with artists and audiences connecting in a space designed to foster the best in contemporary theatre.
For more information and directions to the venue, scan the QR code below.
BLACKBOX CAFE
Since opening in 2021, Blackbox Café, Bar, and Outdoor Stage has become a hub for the St Kilda community—a place where artists and locals gather to connect, create, and unwind.
Whether you’re seeking great coffee, live entertainment, or a space to spark your next big idea, Blackbox has it all.
By Day: Open six days a week, Blackbox serves up high-quality barista-made coffee alongside irresistible sweet treats. It’s the perfect spot for a morning pickme-up, a casual meeting, or a quiet moment to soak in the creative energy of the space.
By Night: The bar transforms into a lively destination for all—not just theatre-goers! Grab a drink with friends, meet colleagues for post-work chats, or enjoy the
atmosphere of an artist-driven venue.
Throughout the year, the Outdoor Stage comes alive with live music, markets, and community-focused events, creating a dynamic and welcoming environment for everyone.
Blackbox is more than a café or bar—it’s a space for celebrations, events, and everything in between. Have an idea? We’d love to hear it. Get in touch: blackbox@theatreworks.org.au
Come for the coffee, stay for the creativity — Blackbox is where St Kilda gathers, connects, and inspires.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria
TICKETING
We do a lot! We understand that to the casual observer that it may just appear that we have a ridiculous amount of things happening. However, all of our programming aligns with different streams and values for us as an organisation. To help communicate that to the outside world in our 2025 program we have various programming streams:
by theatre works
Shows in this stream are produced and presented by Theatre Works in-house, lead by artists who are either on staff and/or alumni of our professional development programs.
TICKET PRICES:
• $55 Full
• $48 Concession
• $40 Preview
with theatre works
Shows in the WITH THEATRE WORKS stream align strongly our values and missions - these works we co-produce and co-present with independent artists and/or companies. Projects within this stream receive significant producing, marketing, PR and production support in addition to free use of the venue and a generous box office split.
TICKET PRICES:
• $45 Full
• $35 Concession
• $28 Preview
fresh works
Our FRESH WORKS program is for Early Career Artists. Similar to our WITH THEATRE WORKS program but for those less along in their
ACCESS
In 2025, we are continuing to build on initiatives introduced in 2024, prioritising accessibility in everything we do.
Theatre Works has identified areas for improvement, ensuring these changes come at no
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
additional cost to participating companies or artists. We are committed to supporting programmed artists in incorporating accessible practices throughout their work, from development to closing night.
Access for individuals with limited mobility, including wheelchair users.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Live commentary or narration of visual elements provided by an Audio Describer.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
Sign Language Interpretation is provided
producing and making journey. In addition to producing, marketing, PR and production support, FRESH WORKS artists have access to creative, technical and producing mentorship.
TICKET PRICES:
• $35 Full
• $28 Concession
• $25 Preview
hosted works
At Theatre Works, our Hosted Works program provides a platform for independent artists, producers, and companies to present their creative projects in our venues. These productions are fully produced by the artists themselves, and while they are not co-productions, we collaborate closely to offer a professional space, technical support, and marketing assistance. Hosted Works reflect Theatre Works’ commitment to supporting the broader creative
community by showcasing diverse voices and offering opportunities for artists to reach new audiences.
TICKET PRICES:
• $48 Full
• $38 Concession
• $30 Preview Theatre Works has been long established as the south-side festival hub in Melbourne. During festival time our spaces are activated with stacked programming allowing audience to see multiple shows in an evening and make a night out of it.
festival works
Audiences will have clear information about accessible options for each show at least eight weeks before its Theatre Works season. This information will be prominently available on our website.
TICKET PRICES:
• $35 Full
• $30 Concession
Please note: ticket prices within streams may vary.
Below are symbols from the Graphic Artists Guild with descriptions to guide you.
ACCESSIBLE PRINT (18 PT. OR LARGER)
Large print is printed in 18 pt. or larger text.
CLOSED CAPTIONING (CC)
Closed Captions (CC) can be turned on and off by the viewer
OPENED CAPTIONING (OC)
Open captions (OC) always are in view and cannot be turned off
BEARDED. BEARDED.
by sean donehue and nick waxman
8 - 18 JAN | THEATRE WORKS
A joyous contemporary Aussie musical that celebrates queer characters in the midst of Australia’s 2017 marriage equality debate.
BEARDED tells the story of Bet, whose father is a conservative political candidate, and Ace, her best friend, as they navigate family expectations, societal scrutiny, and the courage to be themselves.Set against a backdrop of fierce public debate, this musical explores the intimate, private struggles of two young people caught in the middle , each grappling with their identities in a world that demands they choose between loyalty and self-expression.
FESTIVAL WORKS
SPARK SPARK
by ryan henry
Step into a captivating exploration of love and technology’s intricate dance. Ryan Henry’s SPARK offers up another cautionary tale; the spectacle of aligning a gay man’s experience along the narrow road of “love at first sight.” In a world where information and connection is readily available at the swipe of your fingers, are you able to digest it fast enough? Are you too picky? Will you suffer from digital neglect? Join Simon on his quest through the smartphone screen and see if he will survive the hilarity, the devastation and the Camp of it all before time runs out (anyone have a charger he could borrow?).
Wijegoonawardena
STALLIONS STALLIONS
by jake stewart | presented by kissing booth 21 - 25 JAN | THEATRE WORKS
THE WAY A MAN’S SWEAT TASTES AT SUNSET
There’s an old mansion on the outskirts of town, and there’s something too hot about the men that live there.
STALLIONS is a big, dancey, masculine extravaganza.
It’s a bit Burlesque , it’s a bit Moulin Rouge , a bit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas , and a whole bunch of Brokeback Mountain
From the team behind Pinocchio , Hyacinth , and David , comes another big gay fiasco.
FESTIVAL WORKS
A BODY AT WORK A BODY AT WORK
A BODY AT WORK
by frankie van kan | presented by midsumma festival 28 Jan - 1 Feb | THEATRE WORKS
Serial nudist, Frankie van Kan (AKA Frankie Valentine—Stripped Queer, Club Briefs, Baby Got Back, Seen & Heard Cabaret) achieves the improbable task of exposing more of herself than ever before, in this deeply intimate piece of confessional theatre.
Dubbed “A dynamite piece of theatre” by ArtsHub, A BODY AT WORK , directed by theatre Alumni Maude Davey, is the tale of a queer woman’s seventeen years, and counting, in the sex industry.
Directors Wheeler Maurer
Jake Stewart
Playwright
Jake Stewart Cast Callum O’Mara
Prashanti
Middling Jaz Balmer
Hutton
Maude Davey
by the x collective 28 JAN - 1 feb | THEATRE WORKS
PSYCHO BEACH PARTY is a twisted mash-up of 1960s beach party movies, B-grade horror flicks, and classic psychological thrillers. Written by Charles Busch, this dark comedy transports audiences to the sun-soaked beaches of Malibu, where the surf isn’t the only thing that’s up.
PSYCHO BEACH PARTY is a riotous romp that blends satire and suspense, poking fun at the cultural tropes of the era while also offering a clever commentary on identity and self-discovery.
FESTIVAL WORKS
PSYCHO BEACH PARTY
created by jeremy goldstein | presented by midsumma festival 4 - 6 FEB
| THEATRE WORKS
From Adelaide to Zagreb and now at Theatre Works for its Melbourne premiere, Jeremy Goldstein’s TRUTH TO POWER CAFÉ is a profound theatrical reflection on loss, hope, and resistance.
This award-winning international performance event is told through memoir, image, film, poetry, music, and compassionate truth-telling in response to the question: ‘who has power over you and what do you want to say to them?’
“A stunning work of theatrical activism.”
by miranda hill | presented by
7 - 8 feb | THEATRE WORKS
HOMOPHONIC! is bringing the disco ball to the concert hall and raising the roof of Theatre Works St Kilda for the 15th annual celebration of queer chamber music.
Featuring the winner of Midsumma Presents: the HOMOPHONIC! Pride Prize by Ashleigh Hazel, RESPECT pieces telling the stories of LGBTIQ+ seniors in song, and established works from super gay icons of classical music.
- The Queer Review, New York
TO
HOSTED WORKS
CAFé
by ella filar
5 - 15 FEB | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER… project was originally inspired by the experience of living with a group of women on Amazon Acres deep in the New South Wales bush in the 1970’s - “No men, no meat, no machines”.
A tale with a twist, THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER… is a story of a woman who in an effort to probe the mystery of a man she is obsessed with but cannot get close to disguises herself as a male. But the plan misfires and she is left with more than a sting in her tail!!!
CREATED BY Jeremy Goldstein with Henry Woolf
Directed by Jen Heyes
PLAYWRIGHT
Ella Filar
PERFORMED BY Natasha Broadstock Claire Nicholls
Fletcher Dyson
Myf Powell (Voice)
Hemi Titokowaru (Voice)
Martin Zakharov (Sax)
Sally Banks (Violin)
Ella Filar (Keyboard)
Christos Linou (Percussion)
OUR MONSTER’s NAME IS JERRY OUR MONSTER’s NAME IS JERRY
by amy may nunn | presented by dirty pennies theatre project and geelong arts centre
14 - 22 FEB | THEATRE WORKS
After another unsuccessful round of IVF, young couple Lou and Maud are broke. Things take an unexpected turn when they inherit a house from an estranged relative, but they struggle to assimilate in their eerily pristine new neighbourhood. Made worse by the presence of a monster living inside their home. A monster they name Jerry.
From the acclaimed team behind Lemon Tree on Dreg Street , Dirty Pennies in partnership with Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine presents OUR MONSTER’S NAME IS JERRY , a new gothic suburban horror that gleefully turns familiar tropes on their head.
SLAY
SLAY SLAY
devised by anna fujihara, sarah iman, steph lee, liimei
raven rogers-wright and jackie van lierop
19 - 29 Mar | Explosives Factory
It starts with an eerie disappearance…What follows is a political horror comedy where the four lesbians that are blamed for the sudden disappearance one by one meet gruesome fates. Can one of them survive to set the record straight?
SLAY is a devised theatrical work that explores representation of queer women from a group of emerging artists interested in using queer theatre to upend the status quo. Through the lens of horror, the work examines the frightening rise in polarisation and it asks audiences what distinguishes truth from fiction in our ever growing online world?
BY THEATRE WORKS
THREE SISTERS THREE SISTERS
by anton chekhov | presented by theatre works 7 - 22 MAR | THEATRE WORKS
Experience the timeless classic THREE SISTERS reimagined for a contemporary audience in this bold and visionary production by acclaimed director Greg Carroll. With a dynamic ensemble of 12 talented performers, this rendition of Chekhov’s masterpiece breathes fresh life into a tale of ambition, love, and longing.
THREE SISTERS is one of Anton Chekhov’s most celebrated plays, first performed in 1901. The story takes place over three and a half years in a family home and follows the lives of four siblings after the death of their father, a Colonel. The youngest sister, Irina, is hopeful and idealistic, while Masha, the middle sister, struggles in an unhappy marriage. Olga, the eldest, has accepted a life of responsibility and duty, and their brother Andrei’s poor choices lead to financial ruin for the family.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a classic redefined by a cast and creative team pushing the boundaries of contemporary theatre.
FEATURED ON THE VCE THEATRE STUDIES PLAYLIST
by
A struggling artist has the strange idea to take LinManuel Miranda’s global smash hit musical Hamilton , and recreate it almost word for word, except for one key difference: now it’s about ants instead of people. Worse yet- they want to perform it in their own backyard, and have roped their roommates into the production!
This slightly absurd, very meta oddball comedy play also explores the lengths mates will go to - even when their mate might be absolutely cooked.
WRITER/DIRECTOR
THE MACHINE STOPS THE MACHINE STOPS THE MACHINE STOPS
a play by briony dunn, adapted from the novella by E.M. forster 4 - 17 apr | THEATRE WORKS
From the team that brought you The Human Voice and Moth comes the radical 1909 dystopian epic that predicted the internet.
Be transported by this world premier of a new adaptation of the brilliant novella THE MACHINE STOPS by E.M. Forster ( A Room with a View ).
In this chilling tale of a futuristic informationorientated society, all of humanity live subterranean, connected by a global instant-messaging system and grown fearful of first-hand experience.
A rhapsody of sound and light brought to life by two virtuosic performers, THE MACHINE STOPS is more prescient than 1984 and Brave New World combined. Starring Jane Montgomery Griffiths, be taken on another phenomenal theatrical experience where technology has become the ultimate controlling force.
BLACK PILL - A nihilistic and deeply sadistic view that the world has turned its back on men. The belief that the only option to return the world to its correct hierarchical order is through violent uprising.
Paracosm’s BLACKPILL. unveils the systems by which online-based misogynistic hate communities access and indoctrinate young boys. Using a combination of devised and collected archival text, it casts a harsh light on the quick trip from innocent searches for ‘gym tips’ or ‘how do I talk to girls’ into a cyber chasm the true depths of which most people are entirely unaware.
Chris Patrick Hansen
BY Paracosm
FRESH WORKS
ST KILDA TALES
ST KILDA TALES: A PERFORMANCE RAVE ST KILDA TALES: A PERFORMANCE RAVE
by raimondo cortese | presented by victorian theatre company and brisbane musical festival
30 APR - 10 MAY | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
ST KILDA TALES is a play made of interconnected stories, born from the streets of St Kilda. Originally produced by Malthouse & Ranters Theatre in 2001 as part of the Centenary of Federation Festival, it enjoyed a hit season and subsequent European tour.
Now, 24 years later, Raimondo Cortese writes a new script for 2025; a snapshot of street life and rave culture in St Kilda right now.
The characters come from all walks of life. They inhabit the stage, party together, and reveal aspects of themselves that usually remain hidden.
THE SELKIE PROJECT
THE SELKIE PROJECT THE SELKIE PROJECT
by liminal theatre and performance and georgie
12 - 21 JUN |
EXPLOSIVES
FACTORY
The Selkie: creature of myth; a seal who removes her sealskin to feel the pleasures of the human body.
The Selkie’s daughter: a hybrid and misfit, erupting against her fractured identity.
Liminal Theatre and Performance return to present a new work of mythic realism colliding poetry, female rage and visceral physicality. A virtuosic one-woman performance of two characters, accompanied by live electric guitar, and oceanic video projection and sound design.
THE BEEP TEST THE BEEP TEST
by conor neylon and jackson peele | presented by theatre works 30 APR - 10 MAY | THEATRE WORKS
THE BEEP TEST is a comedic, fast-paced, over-thetop new Australian musical that dives into the drama and chaos that was school Beep Tests! The musical follows four determined students and one far too enthusiastic PE Teacher of Class 7C as they compete for the number one place, whatever the cost!
This dynamic comedy from Australian musical theatre writers Neylon and Peele has been the recipient of numerous awards across the country, including the Green Room Award for ‘Best New Australian Musical’.
This exciting new Australian musical explores themes of competition, personal growth and resilience within a relatable school setting, making it both a competitive and entertaining experience.
FEATURED ON THE VCE DRAMA UNIT 3 PLAYLIST
WRITTEN BY Conor Neylon Jackson Peele PRESENTED BY Theatre Works
BY THEATRE WORKS
STORKED
LOVE AND INFORMATION
presented by theatre works and antipodes theatre company 15 - 24 MAY | THEATRE WORKS
Antipodes Theatre Company, who brought you acclaimed productions of GHOST QUARTET (Two 2020 Green Room Award nominations), PASSING STRANGE (five 2023 Green Room Award nominations) and GUYS AND DOLLS (thirteen 2024 Green Room nominations, including two wins) presents their second World Premiere production (following 2023’s ORLANDO) –STORKED by Myf Hocking.
When a They and a Them love each other very much… To have a kid, to not. There is no compromise. You can’t ignore your uterus - it’s constantly reminding you of your capacity for birth. Yuck. Even if you wanted a kid, capitalism is ******* you in the ***. You just got Storked.
An electric exploration of the choice to choose, living in a body that constantly betrays you, and finding the people in your life who matter most, STORKED interrogates the expectation upon AFAB people to have children and the growing awareness that it might not be such a hot idea in our world today. Through a series of vignettes, a handful of actors explore society’s obsession with monogamy, pregnancy, parenting and chosen family in increasing levels of absurdity, hilarity and poignancy. We guarantee this wild and visceral show will be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
BY THEATRE WORKS
LOVE AND INFORMATION LOVE AND INFORMATION
by caryl churchill | presented by theatre works 29 MAY - 14 JUN | THEATRE WORKS
Someone sneezes. Someone can’t get a signal. Someone shares a secret. Someone won’t answer the door. Someone put an elephant on the stairs. Someone’s not ready to talk. Someone is her brother’s mother. Someone hates irrational numbers. Someone told the police. Someone got a message from the traffic light. Someone’s never felt like this before.
In this fast moving kaleidoscope, more than a hundred characters try to make sense of what they know.
LOVE AND INFORMATION was first performed at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, London, on 6 September 2012.
FEATURED ON THE VCE THEATRE STUDIES PLAYLIST
New Work Manger
SOLDIER SOLDIERBOY BOY SOLDIER BOY
by anthony hill | presented by theatre works 20 JUN - 5 JUL | THEATRE WORKS
SOLDIER BOY , dramatized by Anthony Hill from his book of the same name, tells the poignant story of Private James Martin, a 14-year-old boy who enlisted in the Australian Army during World War I.
Set between June 1914 and October 1915, the play follows Jim’s journey from Melbourne to the battlefields of Gallipoli. As the youngest-known ANZAC soldier, Jim lies on a hospital ship, suffering from typhoid fever, recalling his decision to enlist, the challenges of war, and his relationships with family and friends. His brief time at the front is woven into memories of home, revealing the pressures of duty, patriotism, and sacrifice that led him to the trenches.
The play delves into the emotional toll of war, especially on the young, and highlights the bravery and naivety of a boy who wanted to serve his country, despite the costs.
FEATURED ON THE VCE DRAMA UNIT 3 PLAYLIST
HOSTED WORKS
by simon starr and joseph sherman | presented by inotrope productions 25 Jun - 5 Jul |
A FUGUE WITH KONTRABASS
Isaac Babel - writer , born in 1894 Odesa , executed in 1940 Moscow
Unsettled by current events he returns by train under cover of music and moonlight along with his famous creation- Benya Krik, the pre-eminent jewish gangster of Odesa’s Moldavanka, known simply as the King.
They want to do what they can to help…
WITH THEATRE WORKS
Waterloo
created and performed by bron batten 8 - 12 jul | THEATRE WORKS
Award-winning performer Bron Batten wrestles with love and war in an explosive interrogation of her ill-fated affair with a conservative military official.
A bittersweet romance crossed with an action blockbuster, WATERLOO explores what happens when a lefty, Greens voting, almost vegan theatre artist dates a right-wing, cigar smoking Margaret Thatcherloving Tory soldier.
A cutting-edge piece of contemporary theatre, WATERLOO exposes our human fascination with destruction, whether it be emotional, material, personal or political.
X 6 STILL X 6
late works by samuel beckett | presented by victorian theatre company 10 - 26 Jul | Explosives Factory
Six short pieces written in the last decade of Beckett’s life. Attempting to write the experience of dyingnot traumatically, but carefully and irreversibly. They are precise yet elusive approaches to the Event: the shock, the patience, the regret, the loneliness, the persistence, the threshold and the absence.
The haunting language evokes the unsolved mystery of life’s ending without attempting to solve it. Our task in staging these 6 masterworks is to give a bodied form to their haunting, through performance, space, lighting and sound. We will not over-embellish. We will go boldly to the feeling heart of matter.
BLOOD WEDDING
by peter cook | presented by cluster arts global
with
productions 15 - 19 JUL | THEATRE
After five-star seasons in Edinburgh and Off-West End in London, BREAKING THE CASTLE returns to Australia.
Described as “the most significant theatre production audiences may ever experience”, it follows the story of David, a struggling actor whose life is a chaotic blend of substance abuse, Shakespearean soliloquies, failed auditions and debilitating mental health. David takes himself to the brink, until an unlikely lifeline offers hope in the mountains of South-East Asia.
WORKS
HOSTED WORKS
BLOOD WEDDING BLOOD WEDDING
adapted from the original play by fedrico garcía lorca presented by tashmadada and jmc performance ensemble 23 JUL - 2 AUG | THEATRE WORKS
BLOOD WEDDING is about forbidden love between two people from rival factions/families. Adapted from Lorca’s play, written in 1933 amidst political extremism and calls for change and revolution, this new production is timely. It positions the performance into the here and now - at this fragile time in the world. At its heart, BLOOD WEDDING is about the personal effects of war, and the struggles of women to find their voice in a male dominated society. It pits tribe against tribe. Class against class. All to a devastating end.
by kathleen mary fallon
30 JUL - 9 AUG | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
This contemporary re-imagining of Othello, told through Desdemona’s perspective, delves into themes of love, suspicion, domestic violence, and morbid jealousy (the ‘Othello Syndrome’) within an interracial context. The characters navigate their identities, lives, and relationships within the powerful theatrical influences of Shakespeare’s Othello, Strindberg’s exploration of jealousy and control, and Ibsen’s examination of gender roles and societal pressures. Bound by these cultural narratives, the characters are forced to confront whether they are performing within these well-worn frameworks, or if these frameworks are performing them.
DIAL M FOR MURDER DIAL M FOR MURDER
by frederick knott |
presented by smoke and mirrors productions
M FOR MURDER
7 - 16 Aug | THEATRE WORKS
Tony Wendice believes he has concocted the perfect murder. After discovering her infidelity, he sets in motion his plan to murder his wife Margot and walk away with her millions. After all, who would suspect her own husband of being the perpetrator? But when he dials the Mayfair exchange to set his plan in motion, the right number leads to the wrong answer.
Crackling with suspense, unexpected twists and lethal amounts of intrigue, this show will keep you on the edge of your seat. DIRECTOR
HOSTED WORKS
LYRIC OPERA
new production coming in 2025 22 - 30 AUG | THEATRE WORKS
Established in 2003, Lyric Opera of Melbourne is a bold, creative opera company committed to developing operatic artists, building new audiences and enriching the operatic repertoire by creating a forum for the production of lesser-known works. Lyric’s work is focused on producing innovative and exploratory music-based theatre, using contemporary practices that challenge, engage and inspire artists and audiences alike.
STAY TUNED: Announcing Lyric Opera’s 2025 Production Soon...
HOSTED WORKS
COLLARTS COLLARTS
student showcase
28 - 30 Aug | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
Theatre Works is thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with CollArts in 2025, evolving to offer innovative professional development opportunities for students. We are proud to introduce a new initiative where a CollArts student will join Theatre Works as an Affiliate Artist.
This opportunity provides an emerging artist with a deeper understanding of the independent theatre landscape, offering mentorship and hands-on experience in creative and operational aspects of theatre-making.
PRODUCED AND PERFORMED BY
ARE YOU THERE? ARE YOU THERE? by irene korsten | presented by wild boar theatre 3 - 13 SEP | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
ARE YOU THERE? is a dark comedy that takes place in the foyer of Autumn Dale Village over one long Friday.
Autumn Dale is an aged care home and Pia is the energetic, loud, accidentally foul-mouthed director of first impressions. The foyer is her domain, but the foyer also draws everybody to it; the fearful, the needy, the dying so directing first impressions is like herding cats.
ARE YOU THERE?
WRITTEN BY Irene Korsten DIRECTED BY David Wicks
DRAMATURG
Bethany Simons
image by steven mitchell wright
CollArts Students
by doppelgangster
3 - 13 sep | THEATRE WORKS
A medieval faire is being set-up: Welcome to the small, very fictional, market town of Cross Roads; under the guidance of ‘Theatrical Saboteurs’ Doppelgangster’s resident historian, an expert in the Civil War of England and Normandy, 1138-1153. Then an arrow whizzes through the theatre and the fragile pretense of order descends into, well, you know, you read the title didn’t you? The performers are climbing a siege tower, crashing through castle walls, attempting necromancy, and someone (at least) will be tortured (strictly medieval methods).
COLLABORATORS
THE ANARCHY THE(1138-53)ANARCHY (1138-53) THE ANARCHY
presented by watch this 18 - 27 SEP | THEATRE WORKS
Step into the spectacular world of Stephen Sondheim with COLOUR & LIGHT: THE ART OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM , a captivating new revue by Australia’s Sondheim repertory company, Watch This. After 10 acclaimed productions, Watch This brings you an unforgettable evening of Sondheim’s most beloved songs paired with hidden gems from his extraordinary repertoire. From heartbreak to hilarity, this handpicked selection celebrates Sondheim’s unparalleled ability to illuminate the human experience through music and lyrics.
DRAW
TWO DRAW TWO by meg goodfellow
17 - 27 Sep | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
Everyone has a 20-something crisis. Her’s is a choice between staying in Melbourne with an ambitious girlfriend, becoming the legal guardian of a fiveyear-old, or something entirely different…
DRAW TWO by Meg Goodfellow, is a tender, sharp and funny monologue about mistaken identities, Neapolitan ice cream, and beating little kids at Uno. It’s also about how we come to terms with loss and sudden motherhood, and what it truly takes to care.
COLOUR AND LIGHT FRINGE FESTIVAL
southside festival hub 29 sep - 19 oct |
Every year, Theatre Works transforms into the ultimate FRINGE FESTIVAL hotspot, bringing a vibrant collection of shows to life across both our venues! From bold new voices to daring experimental works, our Fringe season is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and artistic risktaking.
With two dynamic venues, Theatre Works offers the perfect playground for artists to push boundaries and audiences to discover the unexpected. Grab your friends and dive into the magic and the mayhem this October!
CONTROL
by keziah warner | presented by flatpack.
22 oct - 1 nov |
EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
In the not-so-distant future, a heavily pregnant exballerina, a child detective, a bitter puppeteer and a feminist pop princess hurtle towards Mars in a Big Brother-style spaceship. The world is watching. Isn’t it?
On the eve of a revolution, Nicki and Caroline attempt to gain control over their lives as their AI superior Alex, dances the night away. And on New Earth, Esta and Isabelle forge hope through a new kind of relationship.
CONTROL is a startling and provocative play that delves deep into our relationship with technology: its moral ambiguities, its dependencies, and its potential.
WITH THEATRE WORKS
BLADDERWrACK BLADDERWrACK CONTROL
by david tredinnick and adam browne
5 - 15 Nov |
Saucy Jack and Bagfoot, pirates, are trapped in the bilge of a cursed, living ship. In this palladian galleon, formerly glorious, now sunken, the men eke out their existence in an ecology sustained by their own bodily wastes.
Dwelling amid luxurious rots and ghastly, darkadapted organisms – nameless creatures, for to name them would require the use of profanities – the men relate their visions and nightmares to each other, their madness so monumental it reaches into the very theatre where the audience sits, too appalled to look away.
THE BREATH OF KINGS
henry vi parts 1, 2 + 3 and Richard III THE BREATH OF
KINGS
henry vi parts 1, 2 + 3 and Richard III
by christopher marlowe and william shakespeare | presented by burning house 25 Oct - 8 nov | theatre works
Shakespeare’s Henry VI plays are one of the great undiscovered gems of Western Literature. A heady mix of action, introspection and romance, these plays detail a civil war just as exciting, blood-thirsty and carnal as Game of Thrones. Henry VI is a rare thinga religious pacificst in a time of war and his wife the opposite - a ferocious mother willing to destroy an entire country to protect those she loves. Under the direction of Robert Johnson, Burning House brings their unique blend of ambition and insight to this massive theatre event - a five hour long Shakespeare epic that will be one of the highlights of Melbourne in 2025.
BREATH OF KINGS
WRITER,
WRITER,
Titus Andronicus Titus Andronicus
by william shakespeare | presented by th’ unguarded duncan 13 - 22 Nov | THEATRE WORKS
Roman General Titus returns from war victorious against the Goths, rejects the political power offered him and sets in motion his own violent demise. After begging in vain for the life of her eldest son, fed by Titus to the sacrificial flame, Tamora, Queen of the Goths, embarks on an obliterating journey of revenge that will leave few untouched.
Witness Shakespeare’s ultra-violent tragedy told in absurd nightmare-scape: an ensemble driven piece evoking horror through abstraction, surrealism and the body in space. A cautionary tale for our times pitting revenge and cruelty against resilience and tenderness.
image by steven mitchell wright
DIRECTED BY Kevin Hopkins
Claire Nicholls
Hopkins
image by steven mitchell wright
image by steven mitchell wright
Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines
NATIONAL DRAMA SCHOOL NATIONAL DRAMA SCHOOL
student showcases 19 - 29 Nov | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
Theatre Works is proud to continue our partnership with THE NATIONAL DRAMA SCHOOL in 2025, supporting the next generation of theatre-makers as they step into the spotlight. This collaboration provides National Theatre graduates with a professional platform to present their end-ofyear showcase, marking the culmination of their training and their transition into the industry. As part of this partnership, Theatre Works offers technical, marketing, and venue support, ensuring these talented graduates have the resources and expertise to bring their work to life.
for new australian musicals + cabarets
3 - 13 DEC | explosives factory
As part of Theatre Works’ commitment to artist development, this two-week showcase celebrates new Australian cabarets and musicals. From intimate readings to fully staged numbers, this public event offers creators the chance to present their work and engage with feedback, including panels and audience Q&As. Highlighting the diversity and innovation of Australia’s musical theatre landscape, the showcase connects artists, industry professionals, and audiences. With an emphasis on collaboration and growth, Theatre Works champions emerging and established voices in Australian storytelling. Callouts for musicals open mid-2025.
by kasey barratt
26 Nov - 6 Dec | THEATRE WORKS
A wildly weird reimagining of the origin of Frankenstein, featuring a theatrically gruesome battle on trampolines to a soundtrack of existential dread and an entire swimming pool worth of sweat.
It’s an unbearably boring afternoon at Trampoline World. Thunder crashes overhead, some kid has thrown up in the bathroom, AND the roof is leaking... again. Boredom quickly descended into cutthroat competition, and existential dread explodes into colourfully grotesque live rock music. There’s a bloody fight in a foam pit, and even gut-wrenching, stomachchurning, heart-shattering poetry can’t save love.
TWO
TWO by artemis muñoz
10 - 20 DEC |
THEATRE WORKS
Up until this point Kit has loved being non-binary. But Kit is pregnant now - and people who used to be mostly okay about their gender are ready to start misgendering them to an obscene degree.
Even more irritatingly, they beg Kit for details about their unborn child’s genitalia. Keen to force a gender on this tiny unborn being.
Kit is having no more of it. They proclaim to their loved ones: Fuck off, it’s twins. Different genitals.
How will they maintain the lie once their child is born?
FRESH WORKS
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