ENTERTAINMENT
- Cinemas to suit every style
- Grassroots theatre
- A city with a sense of humour
Melbourne is awash with theatres and cinemas, and the range of productions and movies cover the whole spectrum – from fringe and experimental, to mainstream and musical. In fact, Melbourne’s performance scene is widely regarded as the best in Australia, with a growing reputation on the world stage. If your dancing shoes demand an outing, there are also plenty of nightclubs featuring a steady rotation of top-name DJs and performers.
Theatre
The Victorian Arts Centre is the source for all things classical, operatic and dance orientated, including most Melbourne productions of Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet. It also features plenty of theatre productions, many by the renowned Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC).
Blockbuster stage shows are a fun night out, with several stunning heritage theatres showing productions of WICKED, Guys and Dolls, and in 2009 Jersey Boys. Her Majesty's, the Princess, the Regent and the Athenaeum are grand old Melbourne theatres to rival those in London's West End.
Melbourne has a reputation for distinctive, independent and cutting edge theatre – and most of it costs very little. For an experience that will surprise, inspire and definitely entertain you, visit Melbourne's exciting grassroots companies including the Malthouse Theatre and the Gasworks Art Park in Albert Park. To find out what's happening at Melbourne's small and independent venues tonight, visit www.theatrealive.com.au
The Victorian Arts Centre is the source for all things classical, operatic and dance orientated, including most Melbourne productions of Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet. It also features plenty of theatre productions, many by the renowned Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC).
Blockbuster stage shows are a fun night out, with several stunning heritage theatres showing productions of WICKED, Guys and Dolls, and in 2009 Jersey Boys. Her Majesty's, the Princess, the Regent and the Athenaeum are grand old Melbourne theatres to rival those in London's West End.
Melbourne has a reputation for distinctive, independent and cutting edge theatre – and most of it costs very little. For an experience that will surprise, inspire and definitely entertain you, visit Melbourne's exciting grassroots companies including the Malthouse Theatre and the Gasworks Art Park in Albert Park. To find out what's happening at Melbourne's small and independent venues tonight, visit www.theatrealive.com.au
Cinema
Melburnians love their movies. From big-budget Hollywood style, to avant-garde art house – there's a cinema to suit every taste. In summer you'll even find roof-top and and outdoor cinema. Village, Hoyts and Greater Union are the big cinema chains in Victoria, with multiplex outlets across the city and suburbs. There are also plenty of smaller, independent cinemas showing limited-release, indie and foreign films. Cinema Europa, part of the Village group and Palace chains show a mix of blockbuster and alternative films.
Film festivals run throughout the year and are a great way to see newly released films and up-and-coming local talent.
Melbourne International Film Festival, Tropfest, St Kilda Film Festival, Real Life (Documentary) Festival, Little Big Shots (kids films made by kids) and Melbourne Underground Film Festival. There are also plenty of specialist celebrations including Queer, Spanish, Russian, Jewish, Italian and German events and an Anime festival.
Major film venues include:
Melburnians love their movies. From big-budget Hollywood style, to avant-garde art house – there's a cinema to suit every taste. In summer you'll even find roof-top and and outdoor cinema. Village, Hoyts and Greater Union are the big cinema chains in Victoria, with multiplex outlets across the city and suburbs. There are also plenty of smaller, independent cinemas showing limited-release, indie and foreign films. Cinema Europa, part of the Village group and Palace chains show a mix of blockbuster and alternative films.
Film festivals run throughout the year and are a great way to see newly released films and up-and-coming local talent.
Melbourne International Film Festival, Tropfest, St Kilda Film Festival, Real Life (Documentary) Festival, Little Big Shots (kids films made by kids) and Melbourne Underground Film Festival. There are also plenty of specialist celebrations including Queer, Spanish, Russian, Jewish, Italian and German events and an Anime festival.
Major film venues include:
- Dendy, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne
- Hoyts, Melbourne Central
- Village in the city centre
- Crown, Crown Entertainment Complex, Southbank
- Como,Chapel Street and Toorak Road, South Yarra
- Jam Factory, 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra
- Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton
- George, 133-137 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
- Classic, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick
- Rivoli, 200 Camberwell Road, Camberwell
- Moonlight Cinema, Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Dusk Cinema in the Bowl, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Comedy, Cabaret and Nightclubs
Crown Entertainment Complex is a magnet for those who like the odd punt at a casino, but also houses several nightclubs and hosts touring theatre and cabaret shows. Melbourne's population has a great sense of humour, and you'll find several excellent comedy clubs around town. The best places for stand-up include the Comic's Lounge, the Last Laugh Comedy Club at the Athenaeum Theatre and the Storeroom.
Crown Entertainment Complex is a magnet for those who like the odd punt at a casino, but also houses several nightclubs and hosts touring theatre and cabaret shows. Melbourne's population has a great sense of humour, and you'll find several excellent comedy clubs around town. The best places for stand-up include the Comic's Lounge, the Last Laugh Comedy Club at the Athenaeum Theatre and the Storeroom.
For something a little more off the wall, grab a mate or three and head to one of Melbourne's theatre restaurants: Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant, Hunchbax and Witches in Britches. Kitsch but cool.
