Backstage Blog

Take a look at the talented team of creatives, musicians and performers who tonight bring Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines to life on the Theatre Works stage. This wildly weird reimagining of the origin of Frankenstein - featuring a theatrically gruesome battle on trampolines to a soundtrack of existential dread and an entire swimming pool worth of sweat - plays from tonight until December 6 at Theatre Works. Tickets are currently on FLASH SALE , with 25% off all ticket ty

Check out these images from Golden Soil and Wealth for Toil , the hilarious new buffon performance by the graduating cohort of the National Theatre Drama School, directed by Fabio Motta. 📸 Darren Gill This weird, wacky, wonderful show must close this Saturday, November 29, at Explosives Factory.

The wait is over! Our full 2026 Midsumma Lineup is here! Eight exciting works will grace the Theatre Works + Explosives Factory stages this Midsumma, featuring some of the freshest, funniest, most exciting voices in Melbourne's vibrant theatre scene. There's something for everyone in our Midsumma lineup, which spans from first-time playwrights all the way to main stage staples. AUSTRALIAN OPEN by Angus Cameron | MORE INFO I'M ONLY DATING THESE MEN BECAUSE MY UNCLE BEQUEATHED

After a record-breaking sold-out season at Explosives Factory in 2025, the critical smash-hit BLACKPILL . storms back to open the Theatre Works 2026 season this January. As online-based misogynistic hate communities grow both in size and vitriol, embittered members are designing increasingly effective ways to recruit and radicalise young boys behind the protection of chilling anonymity. Dubbed "A highly accomplished show in all areas", "A phenomenally well developed and execu

It's Alive! Check out these exclusive shots from inside the rehearsal room of the upcoming Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines , which opens at Theatre Works next week. A wildly weird reimagining of the origin of Frankenstein, featuring a theatrically gruesome battle on trampolines to a soundtrack of existential dread and an entire swimming pool worth of sweat, Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines plays from November 26 - December 6 at Theatre Works.

Vibes were high at Theatre Works on Friday, as Titus Andronicus opened to a full house of eager theatregoers. With 5 stars from It's On the House and 4 stars from What's the Show?, Titus Andronicus is not one to miss! Playing at Theatre Works until November 22.

In this week's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Kasey Barratt, writer and director of Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines - a wildly weird reimagining of the origin of Frankenstein opening at Theatre Works on October 26. It’s an unbearably boring afternoon at Trampoline World. Thunder crashes overhead, some kid has thrown up in the bathroom, AND the roof is leaking... again. Boredom quickly descended into cutthroat competition, and existential dread explodes into colourfully grote

Meet the talented cast and creatives of Titus Andronicus , opening on the Theatre Works stage this week! Titus Andronicus plays November 13-22 at Theatre Works.

Take an exclusive look into the rehearsal room of Titus Andronicus , which opens at Theatre Works next week. Titus Andronicus plays at Theatre Works November 13-22.

Ships ahoy! Meet the jolly crew bringing Bladderwack to the Explosives Factory tonight! Bladderwrack is exactly the comedy horror science-fiction pantomime pirate show with bits of opera you’ve been waiting for! Docking at Explosives Factory tonight until November 15.

In today's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls, the co-directors of Titus Andronicus , which opens at Theatre Works on November 13. Witness Shakespeare’s ultra-violent tragedy told in absurd nightmare-scape: an ensemble driven piece evoking horror through abstraction, surrealism and the body in space. A cautionary tale for our times pitting revenge and cruelty against resilience and tenderness. Q: It's the show on the tip of everyone's tongue! How ha

In today's backstage blog, we sat down with Adam Browne, co-writer, co-director and performer in Bladderwrack , coming to Explosives Factory November 5-15. Q: It's not often that a show coming to Theatre Works describes itself as a comedy-horror-science-fiction-pantomime-pirate-show-with-bits-of-opera. What does that look like? Almost exactly what it sounds like. Q: How much of yourselves exists in Saucy Jack and Bagfoot? When I asked a friend to recommend actors to play Bagf

Take a sneak peak into the rehearsal room of Bladderwrack , the the comedy horror science-fiction pantomime pirate show with bits of opera opening next week at Explosives Factory. Bladderwrack plays November 5-15 at Explosives Factory.

Burning House has assembled a stunning cast of 20 incredible performers to bring THE BREATH OF KINGS to Theatre Works this week - meet them all here! An ambitious and exhilarating theatre event, The Breath of Kings comprises of William Shakespeare's HENRY VI and RICHARD III - both plays are staged separately during the week, with more adventurous audience members able to watch both plays back-to-back in a massive five hour long event on weekends. Read more and book your se

My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth / A birth that will cast revenge upon you all An intoxicating mix of violence, politics and romance, this civil war is as machiavellian as Succession and as brutal as Game of Thrones - Check out this gallery of rehearsal shots from Burning House, who will bring The Breath of Kings to the Theatre Works stage later this month. With a 25 strong cast and staging reminiscent of the famous Globe Theatre, this intimate and intense productio

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Abundance 2025 at Theatre Works. Attendees were treated to song, dance and food as we made our biggest push for philanthropic support this year! To our performers, our donors, our sponsors, and our wonderful attendees - Thank you for supporting independent theatre and the artists who make it possible. We look forward to welcoming you back to Theatre Works soon for more bold, thought-provoking and heartfelt performances.

In this week's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Olivia Staaf, Director of Control , about their journey bringing Keziah Warner's dystopian sci-fi to the Explosives Factory stage. In the not-so-distant future, a heavily pregnant ex-ballerina, a child detective, a bitter puppeteer and a feminist pop princess hurtle towards Mars in a Big Brother-style spaceship. The world is watching. Isn’t it? On the eve of a revolution, Nicki and Caroline attempt to gain control over their lives as

In today's 'Backstage at Fringe', we spoke to The Fusion Theatre Ensemble , who bring The Weathering to Theatre Works starting October...

Mark your calendars! We are launching our full 2026 Season on Sunday, December 7 . With 40+ shows, hundreds of independent artists and a continued mission to be Melbourne's home of Independent Theatre, Theatre Works' 2026 season promises to be our boldest and most ambitious to date. This is a FREE event. Everyone's welcome! RSVP to the launch event using the links below!

In today's 'Backstage at Fringe', we spoke to Bronte Lemarie, Director of Medusa , which opens on October 14 at Explosives Factory as a...