It’s been 30 years since I made my first trip to Melbourne to see a big stage show, starring an up-and-coming young actor named Hugh Jackman.
It was the 1995/96 production of Beauty and the Beast with a dazzling cast, but I was just excited to be in the city and at the iconic Princess Theatre.
Little did I know I was watching a soon-to-be superstar in action before he took off to conquer both Hollywood and Broadway.
It was such a joyful, magical experience that I blubbered like Julia Roberts at the opera and fell in love with the romanticism of Melbourne and the performing arts.
Years later, in my previous career as a journalist, I got to interview Jackman when he brought his arena show, Broadway to Oz, to Australia.
In fact, when first introduced, I accidently tripped over my own feet and fell on his. He was charming about it, of course.
Despite the fame, fortune, celebrity friends and New Yorker lifestyle, Jackman is still an endearing chap who has managed to hang onto his hearty laugh and that earthy Aussie quality we love so much.
I’ve been reminiscing about all the shows I’ve seen at the Princess Theatre because I’m going back soon to see The Book of Mormon and realised it’s been 30 years since I first stepped inside. It’s still my favourite theatre in the whole world.
Going to the theatre unexpectedly became something of a family tradition since I left the sunny beaches of Queensland to settle in Melbourne.
When my kids were little, we’d see all sorts of shows – circus, musicals, comedy, ballet.
The performing arts have a reputation for being expensive and elitist, but you can always find cheap tickets, and in theatres every seat has a decent view. There are no nose bleed sections.
I love the end of a theatre performance too. The standing ovation, the applause and whistles from a hollering crowd, the cast bowing gracefully on stage before they turn to acknowledge the director and musicians.
It’s so wholesome and life-affirming. A reminder that beauty and joy still exist in a world that is a bit of a mess right now.
FIVE GREAT SHOWS AND HOW TO GET THE CHEAPEST TICKETS
These are five uplifting shows I’d recommend seeing in Melbourne this autumn/winter (in date order) and all the ticket prices.
The best way to find the cheapest tickets is to take some time to go through all the show dates and times. Look closely at the shows with the most availability because they will still have cheap tickets.
Midweek and matinee performances are usually the cheapest with the most availability. You can literally pay anything from $60 to $250 to see the exact same show.
The seats further back and on the sides of the theatre will be the cheapest, but in Melbourne venues that still buys you a good view.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Princess Theatre
On now until July 19
I’m not sure how the producers of this musical managed to achieve worldwide acclaim for a piss-take of religion, but I can’t wait to see it.
Beloved by both critics and audiences, The Book of Mormon has returned for another lap of Australia.
Described by The New York Times as the “musical of the century”, it first came to Australia in 2015 after winning nine Tony Awards on Broadway.
It’s a comedy sensation and a bit of a jaw-dropper with explicit content, naughty jokes and catchy tunes about a pair of missionaries sent to a remote village in Uganda.
The best seats in the house cost $250, but there are plenty of tickets available for $69, $79 and $119. Some of them are restricted viewing, but in a venue like the Princess Theatre, that still gets you a good view of the stage.
Info and tickets: The Book of Mormon | Marriner Group
GAME. SET. MATCH.
Malthouse Theatre
Beckett Theatre
May 1 to May 23
This is another one that sounds like a wild ride. It was written by and stars Megan Wilding, an award-winning playwright and actor who has a reputation for being a magnetic performer with impeccable comedic timing.
Game. Set. Match. is a rom-com set on a balmy Melbourne night during the Australian Open. Jay and Joshua (played by Wilding and Rick Davies) meet after the funeral of Joshua’s mother, an Australian tennis legend. A twisty-turny thriller ensues.
The Malthouse is one of Melbourne’s biggest and best theatre companies and manages to keep tickets at a reasonable price. Standard adult tickets are $85, but on Cheap Monday they are $70.
Info and tickets: Malthouse Theatre – GAME. SET. MATCH.
ROMEO AND JULIET
The Australian Ballet
Regent Theatre
June 6-16
The world’s most famous love story. Australia’s premiere ballet company. The exquisite Orchestra Victoria. What’s not to love about this artistic combo.
For me, the Australian Ballet is a perennial favourite. It’s like two shows in one – the extraordinary dancers and the mesmerising live orchestra.
Of the thousands of young hopefuls who enrol in dance classes, a total of 68 have risen to now be dancing for the Australian Ballet. So you know they’re amazing, the cream of the creamiest crop, and a rare combination of elite athleticism and artistry.
This production of Romeo and Juliet will be the late choreographer John Cranko’s acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic text.
It was first performed by the Australian Ballet in 1974 and is one of its most popular and enduring productions, so excitement is high for the return of this one.
It’s also one of the most demanding and technically difficult ballets for the dancers to perform, making it even more sensational for audiences.
The Australian Ballet is currently performing in its temporary home at the Regent Theatre while the State Theatre undergoes a major upgrade.
Adult ticket prices are as high as $317 for the premium dress circle, but as low as $66 for the E reserve dress circle. Other price points are $87, $133, $195 and $252.
In a venue as big as the Regent, it’s better to get the best seats you can afford, but for as little as $66 you can see and hear a world-class ballet company and orchestra.
Info and tickets: Romeo and Juliet | The Australian Ballet
LOSING FACE
Melbourne Theatre Company
Southbank Theatre, The Sumner
June 22 to July 25
This show is the creation of Melbourne’s own Marieke Hardy, which means you can expect it to be funny, clever and biting.
It’s a comedy about a girls’ weekend to celebrate a 50th birthday and is described as a perimenopausal Weekend at Bernie’s. Sign me up. The more unhinged the better.
It dives into the themes of friendship, ageing and the cost of chasing eternal youth – hence the witty title.
Losing face is directed by Leticia Cáceres and stars the three brilliant actors pictured above, Michala Banas, Genevieve Morris and Christie Whelan Browne (love this woman).
For $75, you can get adult tickets to the first preview shows. Full price tickets after opening night are from $99 to $120.
Info and tickets: Losing Face | Melbourne Theatre Company
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Athenaeum Theatre
July 23 to August 9
Now, I didn’t know a single thing about this stage show, but I gasped with joy when I discovered the iconic movie would be coming to life in Melbourne.
I consider Steel Magnolias to be one of the best movies of all time, with possibly the best cast of all time. It’s one of the few movies that I could watch over and over again until the end of time.
If you’ve never seen the 1989 hit comedy-drama – and you most definitely should – it has some of the best one-liners to ever be spoken and starred Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis. Beyond iconic.
It turns out the movie was actually based on a play and that Nicole Kidman was in the original Australian production in 1988. More gasps.
This time around it has been revived by director Lee Lewis and stars Lisa McCune, Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett. Suitably fabulous.
If you know the movie, you can tell from the promo shoot which characters the actors will play and that brings on even more nostalgic happiness.
Steel Magnolias is the ultimate chick flick about six very different women in a small town whose friendship and humour get them through life’s ups and down – and one tragedy.
Tickets are as low as $30 for restricted viewing, then $55, $75, $99, $119, $129, $149.
Info and tickets: Steel Magnolias Australia | A Story of Friendship, Love & Southern Strength on Stage
