Australian shows to add to your calendar in 2026
Start planning your cultural calendar! From The Lion King to dark comedies and immersive experiences, here are the top Australian events for 2025 and 2026.
FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
Category: THEATRE
Julius Caesar comes to Sydney with Bell Shakespeare
This new staging serves as a companion piece to the company’s 2025 production of Coriolanus. While Coriolanus explored the rise of the Roman Republic, Julius Caesar delves into its fall, examining the cost of ambition, loyalty, and power.
AFTERGLOW: The Australian Premiere of a Global Sensation
The internationally acclaimed play AFTERGLOW by S. Asher Gelman is set to make its highly anticipated Australian debut, bringing its raw, funny, and sensual exploration of modern love to Melbourne and Sydney audiences.
Pride and Prejudice (sort of): a new play coming to Sydney
Prepare yourselves, Australia, because the Olivier Award-winning sensation Pride and Prejudice (sort of) is making its way Down Under in 2026, and it’s set to be the theatrical event of the year. This audacious, laugh-out-loud retelling of Jane Austen’s beloved classic is anything but your typical period drama. Instead, it’s a riotous, pop-fueled celebration of love, class, and chaos that will leave audiences grinning from ear to ear. Having taken the West End by storm and scooping up the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this “hilarious little joy-bomb” (as described by producers Neil Gooding and Alex Woodward) is finally heading to Australian shores. The tour kicks off at Melbourne’s Atheneum Theatre on 18 June, before gracing the stages of the Sydney Opera House from 16 July, IPAC Wollongong from 2 September, Canberra Theatre Centre from 16 September, and QPAC Brisbane from 30 September. What makes this production so special? For starters, it’s a bold and irreverent adaptation that reimagines Austen’s iconic love story with a modern twist. Five fearless women take on the entire cast of characters, armed with microphones, wit, and a playlist of pop classics that includes Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, and You’re So Vain. The result? A show that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious, blending Austen’s sharp social commentary with a fresh, feminist perspective. The Daily Telegraph called it “smart, laugh out loud funny,” and it’s easy to see why. This isn’t just a retelling of Pride and Prejudice—it’s a celebration of everything we love about… Read More
Theatre in Melbourne at the Malthouse Theatre in 2026
Malthouse Theatre has unveiled its bold and diverse 2026 program, offering a lineup of productions that promise to captivate, challenge, and entertain. From contemporary drama and iconic adaptations to riotous comedy and world-class cabaret, the season is packed with unforgettable live experiences. Here’s a breakdown of what’s on and why you should add these shows to your calendar. February–March: Black Light March–April: Malthouse Comedy May: Game. Set. Match. May: Pride and Prejudice June: HOUSE OF ROT: GREY GARDENS July: Vista August: Break of Day August: The Nightline September–October: Koreaboo October: Ritual Ritual Ritual November–December: All About Eve Special Events and Touring Productions With such a dynamic and diverse program, Malthouse Theatre’s 2026 season offers something for everyone. Whether you’re drawn to intimate dramas, bold reimaginings, or laugh-out-loud comedies, this lineup is sure to inspire and entertain. Tickets are on sale now—don’t miss your chance to experience the best of live theatre. Feature: Christie Whelan Browne stars as both Margo and Eve in All About Eve
Role play your way to being a lawyer in The Jury Experience
If role playing and the drama of the legal courtroom get your blood going, then get excited, this one’s for you. Get ready to trade your seat in the audience for a spot in the jury box. The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case, created by Fever, the global leader in live entertainment discovery, is a groundbreaking theatrical event that places you at the heart of a high-stakes trial. This 60-minute immersive show transforms spectators into jurors, blurring the line between performance and reality in a way that will leave you questioning your own moral compass. Courtroom dramas Set in a meticulously designed courtroom inspired by the American legal system, The Jury Experience is not your typical night at the theatre. Here, you’re not just watching the drama unfold—you’re part of it. As a juror, you’ll listen to witness testimonies, observe cross-examinations, and weigh evidence to determine the fate of the accused. Each session is a unique experience, where moral certainty is elusive, and perspectives clash. The audience’s decisions shape the story in real time, culminating in a climactic final vote: guilty or innocent. With emotions running high and the stakes even higher, the tension in the room is electric. What’s the case? At the center of this gripping courtroom drama is a case that feels ripped from today’s headlines: the ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence. The trial explores the fallout of a fatal accident caused by an AI-driven vehicle, forcing jurors to confront questions of accountability, technological autonomy, and human error. Who is responsible… Read More
Dolly Parton’s witty wisdom hits Sydney with ‘Here You Come Again’
Dolly Parton’s new show is fresh from sold-out runs in the US, UK, Melbourne, and Perth, this Australian production, adapted by Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish, feels tailor-made for local audiences. T
Dear England is back with a new national tour
Get ready, England, The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning sensation, Dear England, is hitting the road.
Explore best of Greek Tragedy with exhibition in London
The National Theatre is set to captivate audiences with a new free exhibition, The Greeks: Radical Reinvention, opening on 9 September in the Wolfson Gallery.
National Theatre’s cast for Hamlet is out
The National Theatre has unveiled the full casting and creative team for its upcoming production of Hamlet, directed by Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie. Hamlet is on until 22 November at the National Theatre in Southbank. Known for his acclaimed work on Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Hastie brings a sharp, stylish, and darkly funny reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy to the South Bank. With rehearsals now underway, anticipation is mounting for what promises to be a fearless and fresh exploration of one of theatre’s greatest plays. Hiran Abeysekera Returns to the National Theatre Leading the production is Olivier Award-winning actor Hiran Abeysekera, whose astounding performance in Life of Pi captivated audiences and critics alike. Abeysekera makes his highly anticipated return to the National Theatre in the titular role of Hamlet, a young prince caught between duty, doubt, and the complex web of power and privilege surrounding him in the court of Denmark. This contemporary reimagining invites audiences to experience Hamlet in a whole new light, showcasing Hastie’s inventive direction and Abeysekera’s undeniable talent. It’s an exciting moment for classical theatre as one of Shakespeare’s most famous works is revitalised for a modern audience. Full Casting Brings Exceptional Talent to Denmark Joining Abeysekera is an impressive ensemble cast, including: This cast brings together seasoned performers and rising stars to inject energy into one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tales. Behind the Scenes: A Cutting-Edge Creative Team Director Robert Hastie is joined by an esteemed creative team, each adding their expertise to craft a dynamic and immersive… Read More