Best new musicals and theatre shows coming to Melbourne in 2025 and 2026

The best Melbourne musicals, theatre shows and stage productions in 2025

1984 by George Orwell

1 - 6 July 2025, Comedy Theatre

It may be a very short run, but 1984 by George Orwell is a truly hard-hitting adaptation of the famous novel. Created by the award-winning Shake & Stir theatre company (Fantastic Mr Fox, Frankenstein), 1984 by George Orwell explores whether the human spirit can survive under an oppressive regime full of surveillance, propaganda and thought policing.

Our dystopian hero is Winston Smith, a lowly government employee who stumbles into an underground resistance against the ruling Party led by the dictator Big Brother. In entering an illicit relationship and joining the shadowy anti-Party Brotherhood, Winston is gambling with more than just his life: if captured, his mind could be broken and manipulated into loving Big Brother again.

HADESTOWN

Until 13 July 2025, Her Majesty's Theatre

The acclaimed musical HADESTOWN by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin will be coming to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in May 2025. HADESTOWN  is the winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. 

HADESTOWN is a defiantly hopeful theatrical experience that takes you on a journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories: young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone.

Here You Come Again

From 12 July 2025, Comedy Theatre

Can't get enough of Dolly Parton? Here You Come Again brings Dolly's songs to life in an all-new musical comedy, full of hits like Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream and I Will Always Love You. The show comes to Melbourne after sold-out seasons across the US and UK, so get your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.

Here You Come Again follows a diehard Dolly Parton fan (played by Australian Dash Kruck) who receives life lessons from a fantasy version of Dolly (played by musical co-creator Tricia Paoluccio), learning about life, love and how to rise above life's challenges. Complete with an all-Australian ensemble and live band, Here You Come Again is sure to be great fun for everyone.

BEETLEJUICE

Until 31 August 2025, Regent Theatre

BEETLEJUICE comes screaming into Melbourne's Regent Theatre from May 2025. This spooktacular musical is funnier, more irreverent, more reckless and more repellent than ever in this original musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. Eddie Perfect, who wrote the musical's music and lyrics, will star in the titular role.

BEETLEJUICE tells the story of a deceased couple, the Maitlands, who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home. One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia, who is dealing with her mother's death and her neglectful father. (Un)luckily for Lydia and the Maitlands, the ghost-with-the-most, mischievous Beetlejuice is here to 'help'.

In The Heights

1 August - 6 September 2025, Comedy Theatre

The musical mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda (best known for Hamilton) is back with In The Heights: a vibrant look at a tight-knit ethnic (mostly Dominican American) community in the Washington Heights neighbourhood in Upper Manhatten, New York City that faces significant change.

This musical has it all: romance, community, culture, dreams and ambition. Its music is an eclectic, catchy mix of hip-hop, salsa, soul and merengue. Its dynamic dances and standout cast will lead you in a pulsing performance of energy and passion.

Coriolanus

24 July - 10 August 2025, Arts Centre Melbourne

After a 30-year hiatus, Bell Shakespeare brings Coriolanus to Melbourne audiences in July 2025. Shakespeare's tragic political thriller is based on the Roman general of the same name, a military figure who is lauded, exiled, redeemed and then betrayed.

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's most intriguing plays, with the titular character famously difficult to relate to thanks to his beliefs and behaviour. Despite that, the tale of Coriolanus continues to be important for its portrayal and critique of class, pride, masculinity and violence.

Trophy Boys

12 - 24 August 2025, Fairfax Studio

Book in quickly to see the queer black comedy Trophy Boys: it's sure to sell out just like its 2024 season.

Featuring a female and non-binary cast in drag, the show unfolds in real time as the all-boys team from the elite St Imperium College are forced to debate that 'feminism has failed women' in the Grand Finale of the Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament. It's a hilarious look at insecure masculinity and adolescent ego.

Kimberley Akimbo: A Musical

26 July - 30 August 2025, Playhouse Theatre

This musical has found great success on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical. Now it's our turn to see this musical about Kimberley, a girl born with a genetic rarity that means she ages at four times the rate of everyone else.

Join Kimberley in her friendship group's teen angst, unrequited crushes and popularity contests against the backdrop of 1999 New Jersey. With a dropkick dad, narcissistic mum and criminal aunt fuelling her harebrained schemes, Kimberley is truly living on borrowed time.

Annie

8 July - 26 October 2025, Princess Theatre

Annie is a beloved musical that celebrates hope, family and friendship. It’s one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Its iconic score features classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more at the Princess Theatre from July 2025.

Annie focuses on young orphan Annie, a charming and sunny girl despite her rough start at the New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan in the 1930s. Annie is determined to find her parents, come what may!

The 39 Steps

10 September - 4 October 2025, Comedy Theatre

What do you get when you mix Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller with Monty Python-style chaos and humour? The 39 Steps: an Olivier- and Tony Award-winning smash hit theatre show. With just four actors playing 130 characters, The 39 Steps offers 100 minutes of non-stop comedic action.

Join Richard Hannay, who finds himself framed for murder and tangled in a web of spies, secrets and seductive strangers. To clear his name, he must outrun the law, outwit international agents, and survive a string of increasingly absurd adventures.

MJ the Musical

9 September - 2 November 2025, Her Majesty's Theatre

Everyone knows Michael Jackson: the iconic American singer dubbed the 'King of Pop'. Follow the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour in MJ the Musical, which has won multiple Tony Awards. You won't just hear Michael's incredible songs live; you'll also get a rare look into his creative mind and collaborative spirit.

Rebecca

30 September - 5 November 2025, Southbank Theatre

Whether you've read Daphne du Maurier's classic 1938 novel Rebecca or not, you'll be swept away by the Melbourne Theatre Company's theatrical rendition.

In this haunting Gothic romance, a young woman marries the dashing, wealthy widower Maxim de Winter in a whirlwind romance and moves to his beautiful estate Manderley. But the new Mrs de Winter is confronted by the suspiciou circumstances of Maxim's first wife Rebecca around every shadowy corner - and the housekeeper Mrs Danvers seems determined to undermine her at every turn.

This is a true thriller for the stage. If you like, you can prep for the show by watching the 1940 or 2020 version of the film Rebecca - or go in blind to enjoy the mystery.

The Talented Mr Ripley

28 October - 23 November 2025, Playhouse Theatre

Savour the captivating tale of Tom Ripley, orphan pauper turned master deceiver in 1950s New York, in this adaptation from page to stage. The Talented Mr Ripley was originally a 1955 psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith, and has enjoyed numerous film and television adaptations since.

On stage, watch as Tom Ripley becomes obsessed with the wealthy life of shipping magnate's son Dickie Greenleaf. Starting to imitate Dickie's every move - his clothes, his mannerisms - it isn't long until Ripley takes dark new steps to live the life he craves. Follow his story along the hedonistic Italian Riviera at the Arts Centre's Playhouse Theatre this year.

Opera Australia: Carmen

15 - 25 November 2025, Regent Theatre

Smuggler, seductress, risk-taker, rebel...Carmen is a smouldering, passionate story of a woman who won't give up her freedom, and a man (Don José) who won't give up his woman.

Opera Australia and Melbourne Theatre Company's Anne-Louise Sarks present a visceral opera complete with a live orchestra. Follow the iconic femme fatale as her dance with destiny ends in disaster.

Much Ado About Nothing

14 November - 19 December 2025, Southbank Theatre

Strap in for a modern rendition of Shakespeare's beloved Much Ado About Nothing, a classic enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. Beatrice and Benedick love to hate each other, but their friends know they're perfect for each other.

This play is packed with intrigue, drama and romance - plus a second romance plot between Claudio and Hero, which is threatened by the villainous Don John. But it's Beatrice and Benedick who shine in Much Ado About Nothing thanks to their sharp, witty banter.

ANASTASIA The Broadway Musical

20 December 2025 - 11 January 2026, Regent Theatre

Do you remember the hit 1997 animated film by the name of Anastasia, that followed the amnesiac Anastasia (Anya) Romanov as she journeyed to discover her past? Whether you fondly remember the musical movie or not, Anastasia The Broadway Musical is sure to delight both young and old with is romantic, adventure-filled story.

This dazzling production is coming to Australia for the first time, featuring beloved songs like Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past. Journey from the twilight years of the Imperial rule in Russia to the euphoric 1920s Paris with a brave young woman, a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat as they help Anya find her family.

CATS

21 December 2025 - 11 January 2026, Hamer Hall

Book in now to see the musical CATS on the 40th Australian anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's sparkling feline musical.

Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this groundbreaking musical tells the story of the Jellicle Ball. At this ball, which takes place just one night a year, the Jellicle cats meet to see who will be chosen by Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, to go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Various locations and dates in 2025

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has another spectacular year of performances to add to your music roster.

Whether it's taking the family to a Classic Kids session, watching your favourite film set to live music, or following the string instrument events throughout the season, there's an event for all music lovers, classical or otherwise, throughout the season. 

The Music of Joe Hisashi (6 - 8 November 2025) will be a sell-out event, so get your tickets booked soon. Hisashi has composed more than 100 works for the screen and concert hall, including the Studio Ghibli classics My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away.

RACV Members can save 10 per cent on a range of MSO tickets.

Australian Ballet Company

Various dates and locations

The Australian Ballet Company is back with a new season of emotional and captivating performances. There’s something for everyone as The Australian Ballet company brings famed stories of passion, love, and loss to life through dance.

In 2025, the don't-miss ballet shows are Nijinsky, Carmen, Manon and Prism.

Prism (25 September – 4 October 2025) is a contemporary triple bill full of raw intensity and revolutionary design from three of the world’s most inspired choreographers: William Forsythe, Jerome Robbins and Stephanie Lake.

Manon (10 – 22 October 2025) is a devastating love story of desire and greed based on Abbé Prévost’s 1731 novel. From high society 18th-century Paris to the gritty streets of New Orleans, Manon tells a story of a young girl desperate to rise above her lowly origins and forced to choose between her true love or a life of lavish splendour.