THEATRE ROUND UP

Lee Lewis directs the Australian premiere of Paula Vogel’s Mother Play starring Sigrid Thornton for the Melbourne Theatre Company.  Due to popular demand, the MTC season recently extended until 9 August at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. “Director Lee Lewis draws out performances that complete each other.” ★★★★ The Age

After a triumphant Sydney season, Bell Shakespeare’s production Coriolanus lands in Melbourne this week at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio. Max Lyandvert served as Composer and Sound Designer, and actor Anthony Taufa plays Aufidius/Ensemble. “Story of a murderous brute draws a monumental performance” ★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald Season dates: 24 July – 10 August.

The hit Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse next week. A co-production between State Theatre Company South Australia and MTC, the cast includes performer Christie Whelan Browne as Kimberly’s mother Pattie Levaco. “Butel and his cast finds the loving, human balance – letting the actors each have their star turn (especially Whelan Browne, who gives a bewitching and heightened performance that just skirts the line of farce).” ★★★★ The Guardian Season dates: 26 July – 30 August.

Director Kim Hardwick’s production of Babyteeth by Rita Kalnejais opens at KXT On Broadway this Wednesday 23 July. Presented by White Box Theatre in association with Bakehouse Theatre, the season will run until 2 August.

New musical comedy The Grandparents Club 2 written by Richard Tulloch is set to tour across Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and NSW between July and October 2025. The cast includes Lynne McGranger, Wayne Scott Kermond, Meredith O’Reilly and Andrew James. Tour venues/dates here.

Margaret Thanos is Assistant Director to Simon Phillips on Belvoir’s upcoming production Grief is a Thing with Feathers based on the novel by Max Porter and adapted for stage by Simon Phillips, Nick Schlieper & Toby Schmitz. Season dates: 26 July – 24 August 2025.