TOSEE

Melbourne’s theatres have all the big shows this summer

DECEMBER Kiss of the Spider Woman

This musical from Kander and Ebb (the songwriting team behind Cabaret and Chicago) has never had a professional mainstage production in Australia. Melbourne Theatre Company’s artistic director, Brett Sheehy, says he’s reversing that “unconscionable neglect” with this production starring Australia’s own Broadway star (she played the lead role in Chicago on Broadway), Caroline O’connor. à Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Blvd, Southbank 3006. 03 8688 0800. www.mtc.com.au. $42-$138. Until Dec 28.

Punk Rock

Simon Stephens’ play about private school kids tackling life and exams has won plenty of fans for its raw and ready depiction of the struggle of adolescence. It’s getting a new staging at the intimate fortyfivedownstairs theatre, with young actor Ruby Rees at the helm. à fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000. 03 9662 9966. fortyfivedownstairs.com. $35-$45. Dec 4-15.

Songs for Nobodies

Few singers are able to mimic the divas of years gone by as accurately as Bernadette Robinson. This show was crafted for her unique talents by Joanna Murray-smith back in 2010, and involves her channelling Judy Garland, Patsy

Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas, and telling the stories of five women who connected with them. à Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. 1300 182 183. www.artscentremelbourne. com.au. $64-$129. Dec 18-Jan 5.

The Choir of Man

This feelgood pub nightmeets-performance was a sellout hit at the 2017 and 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringes. Set in a beautifully recreated pub (complete with free pints for those who arrive early enough), its nine blokes belt out harmonies from the likes of Guns n’ Roses, Adele, the Proclaimers, Sia and even the odd Broadway classic. à Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. 1300 182 183. www.artscentremelbourne. com.au. $84.90-$89.90. Dec 28-Jan 12.

JANUARY War Horse

Since Joey first cantered onto the stage of London’s Olivier Theatre in 2007, War Horse been amassing fans and honours. That original production, which tells the story of a boy and his horse in the midst of World War I, returns complete with a British cast and spectacular puppetry. à Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne 3000. 03 9299 9800. ticketmaster.com.au. $59.90-$199.90. Jan 10-Feb 2.

Home, I’m Darling

Melbourne Theatre Company kicks off the year with this British play, which picked up Best New Comedy at this year’s Olivier Awards. It follows a 21st-century couple who have decided to live an authentic 1950s lifestyle. Nikki Shiels plays Judy, the woman who has stepped back in time, while Kath and Kim star Jane Turner plays her mother, a former hippie feminist outraged that her daughter has opted to be a stay-athome housewife. à Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Blvd, Southbank 3006. 03 8688 0800. www.mtc.com.au. $TBA. Jan 20-Feb 22.

The Feather in the Web

Nick Coyle’s play takes so many detours that you mightn’t recognise the play itself – or its protagonist Kimberly – by the end. Declan Greene directs the Melbourne premiere for Midsumma. It’s a determinedly queer play about an outsider trying to make her way in a seemingly insane world. à Red Stitch Actors Theatre, 2 Chapel St, St Kilda 3183. 03 9533 8083. redstitch.net. $TBA. Jan 29-Mar 1.

FEBRUARY Shrek the Musical

This stage version of the 2001 Dreamworks Animation movie tells the ogre-meets-princess story you know and love. Ben Mingay is greening up for the title role, while Lucy Durack plays Princess Fiona, with Todd Mckenney as Lord Farquaad. à Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000. 03 8643 3300. shrekthemusical.com.au. $49.90$180. Feb 16-Mar 15.

Torch the Place

Benjamin Law’s debut play is a comedy set on the Gold Coast. Siblings come together to celebrate their mother’s 60th birthday and help to clean up her house. But her hoarding habits prove difficult to overcome. à

Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. 1300 182 183. www.arts centremelbourne.com.au. $TBA. Feb 8-Mar 21.

The Importance of Being Earnest

A cast of just two (David Woods and Jon Haynes) plays every character in Oscar Wilde’s farce about polite society. Because the play is all about role-playing and the lies we tell to maintain a social position, this highly theatrical take reveals something new in the text. à Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt St, Southbank 3006. 03 9685 5111. malthousetheatre.com.au. $35-$62. Feb 14-Mar 8.

Black Ties

Ilbijerri Theatre Company, one of Australia’s leading makers of Indigenous work, teams up with Te Rahia Theatre, a leading NZ company for Maori theatre. Black Ties follows the nuptials of Maori woman Hera and Aboriginal man Kane, a wild (and funny) clash of cultures as the two families come together for the celebration. à Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. 1300 182 183. www.arts centremelbourne.com.au. $30-$60. Feb 21-29.

A O Lang Pho

Ever seen a genre-defying narrative piece of circus art from Vietnam? We thought not. AO Lang Phois the work of Tuan Le, who formerly worked for Cirque du Soleil. It’s performed on a bamboo and rattan set that comes to life to tell a story of urbanisation. The title loosely translates as “from village to city”. à Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. 1300 182 183. www.artscentremelbourne. com.au. $30-$106. Feb 27-29.