Backstage Blog

The future is NOW at Explosives Factory this week, as Helene Tardif brings her exposing contemporary performance to our stage after an acclaimed season last year. Have a look at the gallery of shots from the 2025 season. Covid, lockdown, birthdays. The one decides to create a virtual reality to evade this dying world. His way to fight pollution, discord, inequality.  The older generation is not ready, they want the past to come back. They fight against it, against each other

In today's Backstage Blog, we sat down with Rosie Roulette, the writer, director and producer of POKÉLESQUE , the drag / burlesque extravaganza opening at Theatre Works for a limited 5-show run next week. Q: It’s a play. It’s a Burlesque show. It’s Drag. It’s POKÉLESQUE! Where did the idea come from? My background is in musical theatre and classical voice. Whilst I have performed professionally throughout New Zealand and Australia as an actor/singer/dancer I fell deeply in lo

Check out these shots from inside the rehearsal room of I THOUGHT YOU SAID , the exciting debut work of Tip Toe Theatre opening at Explosives Factory next week. The stars are falling but what the hell are they supposed to do about it? It’s like every other nightshift for Sam and Frankie. They clock in, stock up the chips, steal some for themselves, bet on whether they’ll get one (or even two!) customers, and ignore the dying star outside. Everyone’s gotten used to it by now,

Here's what the critics have to say about the international sensation Robot Song , which plays it's final performances this week at Theatre Works: "The production tackles these themes of identity without a hint of the preachiness that often plagues family theatre" "Visually, it’s slick and inventive. Live animation, puppetry and animatronics blend seamlessly" "Actress Adeline Hunter is a revelation in the role. She commands the stage with a rare "it" factor, capturing Juniper

Here's what the critics have to say about the hilarious Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams , which plays it's final performances this week at Explosives Factory: Image: Dan Rabin “Deadmouse regularly treats the audience with elaborate physical comedy and witty dialogue loaded with irreverent humour” “There is an undeniably strong chemistry between the cast members, despite the absurdity of the premise and the larger-than-life nature of the characters; they all interact with each o

It’s a play. It’s a Burlesque show. It’s Drag. It’s POKÉLESQUE! Check out the full gallery of images from the last season of POKÉLESQUE ! Pokélesque plays 24-28 February at Theatre Works.

In today's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Helene Tardif, writer and performer in NOW , the contemporary exploration of the digital world we live in coming to Explosives Factory next week after a successful debut season last year. A 60 minutes DRAMEDY where you will travel in VIRTUAL REALITY where MAGIC meets FAKE COMEDY. Covid, lockdown, birthdays. The one decides to create a virtual reality to evade this dying world. His way to fight pollution, discord, inequality.  The older g

In today's Backstage Blog, we spoke to the writer and director of I THOUGHT YOU SAID , Bronte Lemaire, about the show, it's journey, and what audiences can expect when they come to the Explosives Factory next week. The stars are falling but what the hell are they supposed to do about it? It’s like every other nightshift for Sam and Frankie. They clock in, stock up the chips, steal some for themselves, bet on whether they’ll get one (or even two!) customers, and ignore the dy

Fresh from Dumbfordton, check out these production shots of The Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams , which opens tomorrow at Explosives Factory. The Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams plays until 21 February.

As part of the upcoming series of THINKING GROUND workshops, The Voice in My Hands are taking Expressions of Interest for their VIMH Project Design Pathway. Check out their full pathway brief below: We are offering a special project stream to our upcoming THINKING GROUND at Theatre Works across Feb-March, which will give you the chance to work with VIMH to develop a new idea across 2026. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO SUPPORT? In exchange for attending THINKING GROUND, we are invitin

In this week's backstage blog, we spoke to Alana Louise (actor and writer) Sarah Palmieri (actor) Jason Schwab (actor) Joe Kenny (actor) and Nina Hopley (producer) from the Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams team, hearing all about the process as they prepare to bring their show to Explosives Factory next week! Dad’s a priest. Mum never came back from Bali. And all you want to do is win the bleeping X-Factor. Meet Shannon and Jodi – sisters, funeral directors and experts at buryi

In today's Backstage at Midsumma, we are speaking to Miranda Hill, who is bringing the classical music extravaganza Homophonic! back to Theatre Works this Midsumma after a successful run last year. Classical Music... but gayer! Homophonic! is back with even more new music by LGBTIQ+ composers! Bringing the disco ball to the concert hall and celebrating the amazing sound world of todays queer artists and storytellers. Performed by the Homophonic! string quintet and percussion,

A sold-out sensation comes back to Explosives Factory! Check out these shots form DEAD MUM's last season in Melbourne Fringe, and some exclusive rehearsal room shots as they prepare for their return season in the final week of Midsumma! Dead Mum plays until 7 February as a part of Midsumma Festival.

In today's Backstage at Midsumma, we sat down with Cassidy Cogin, co-writer and director of DISCO IS DEAD! , the campy cannibal comedy coming to Explosives Factory next week as a part of our Midsumma Festival Hub lineup. After attempting a comeback, Freddy and the Four- a once successful disco boyband, reluctantly await reviews for their latest song. But, someone, or something, nefarious lurks outside the safety of their greenroom, threatening to end disco for good. When a ra

In today's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Jack Francis West, creator and performer of Dead Mum , the smash hit cabaret returning to Explosives Factory in the final week of Midsumma after a sellout season in Melbourne Fringe. Jack’s mum is dead. This show is about her… It’s also about you. Death is the most universal experience of the human condition. So why don’t we talk about it? Hey, why don’t we sing about it?! Dead Mum is a cabaret about death and grief, written by Jack Fra

Funkadelic, baby! Check out the glitz and glam going on in the rehearsal room of Disco is Dead! as they prepare to take to the stage next week at Explosives Factory! Full of fun, funk and disco fever, Disco is Dead! plays at Explosives Factory 3-7 February as a part of our Midsumma Festival hub lineup.

Take an early sneek-peek into the final rehearsals of He Partied like it's 1999 , which opens next week at Explosives Factory as a part of our Midsumma Festival lineup! He Partied like it's 1999 plays at Explosives Factory 27-31 January as a part of our Midsumma Festival Lineup.

In today's Backstage Blog, we spoke to Gary Helmore (writer) and Rachel Edmonds (cast) from He Partied Like It's 1999 , which plays at Explosives Factory in week two of the Midsumma Festival. He Partied Like It’s 1999 unfolds as a glitter-soaked time capsule of queer Melbourne at the edge of the millennium. Reg, a former Marxist now facing a midlife unraveling, finds unexpected passion with Hunter, a seductive, chaotic millennial masseur. Rose, his estranged wife, collides wi

Our Serve! Check out the Ace cast and creative team of AUSTRALIAN OPEN, which takes the court on the Theatre Works Mainstage later this week! Serving scandal, smashing egos and dripping sweat, this electric play full of backhanded jabs is sure to entertain at Theatre Works this Midsumma. Opening Night has sold out, and week one tickets are moving fast, so book now to secure your spot at the match of the century. Australian Open plays at Theatre Works 21-31 January as a part

Peter Pan: A Twinkle in Time plays at Explosives Factory 20-24 January.