While 2007 was a good year for Melbourne theatre, 2008 is already looking ready to equal it.

Our two flagship companies, the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) and the Malthouse, are set to breathe new life into old stories this year. The MTC kick things off this month with the Australian premiere of Patrick Marber’s Don Juan in Soho, in which the legendary libertine Don Juan (also known as Don Giovanni) is transplanted from his original 14th century setting to the fleshpots of modern London. Then in February, the Malthouse update Moliere’s scorching 17th century satire of wealth and faith, Tartuffe, setting it in contemporary Melbourne.

Another classic returns to Carlton’s legendary La Mama Theatre in March, as part of the 2008 International Comedy Festival. In Jack Hibberd’s much-loved Dimboola, two families strive to preserve their social graces as the ‘country wedding of the year’ turns into a drunken disaster.

La Mama also presents a strong Midsumma program this year, including the welcome return of two short plays by the late Timothy Conigrave (author of Holding the Man): Thieving Boy – which features a painful reunion between a young gay man just released from jail and his suspicious boyfriend – and the magic-realist Stars in My Hands.

And speaking of Holding the Man, don’t forget that this poignant and painful love story features as part of the 2008 MTC program, at the Malthouse Theatre from March 14.

Red Stitch are part of our city’s spectacularly dynamic independent theatre scene; their 2008 season includes a new production of Neil La Bute’s The Mercy Seat (from Feb 6); an unflinching exploration of the often-brutal war between the sexes; and the world premiere of Michael Gurr’s homegrown exploration of politics, power and the manipulation of fear, Intelligence (from June 11).

Other independent theatre companies to watch out for include one of Australia’s foremost experimental companies, Theatre In Decay; the quiet sophistication of Theatre @ Risk; and the completely unpredictable but always delightful Black Lung.

For all your Melbourne theatre news, visit www.theatrealive.com.au – an Arts Victoria initiative.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Title
Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Email
Website
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.
	Add Comment