What Theatre Shows Are Happening in Melbourne?
Melbourne has a diverse theatre calendar in late 2026, with musicals, plays, ballet, opera, comedy and family-friendly performances. Upcoming highlights include SIX the Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot, Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest, The Shark Is Broken, My Fair Lady, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Elf The Musical and productions featured during the Melbourne Fringe Festival. With performances across venues such as the Princess Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre .
Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
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Melbourne has a busy theatre calendar, with major musicals, plays, ballet, comedy theatre, opera and family productions taking place across the city. With late September 2026 approaching, there are plenty of shows to see through October, November and December.
Here are some of the notable theatre shows happening in Melbourne over the coming months.
SIX the Musical
SIX the Musical is currently running at the Comedy Theatre, presenting the stories of Henry VIII's six wives through a pop-concert-style musical.
The Melbourne season runs until October 4, 2026, making it one of the shows to catch before its current Melbourne run ends.
When: Until October 4, 2026
Venue: Comedy Theatre
Best for: Musical fans and pop-music lovers
Monty Python's Spamalot
Fans of musical comedy can see Monty Python's Spamalot, a humorous stage adaptation inspired by Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The Melbourne season runs until October 4, 2026.
When: Until October 4, 2026
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Best for: Comedy and musical theatre fans
Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest
Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest offers a darker interpretation of the classic Dracula story through ballet and theatrical performance.
The Melbourne season continues until October 25, 2026.
When: Until October 25, 2026
Best for: Ballet, dance and gothic-story fans
The Stuttgart Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
The Stuttgart Ballet returns to Melbourne with its production of The Sleeping Beauty.
The performances are scheduled for October 9–18, 2026, bringing classical ballet to Melbourne audiences.
When: October 9–18, 2026
Best for: Ballet lovers and families
The Shark Is Broken
The Shark Is Broken is scheduled at the Athenaeum Theatre from October 15 to November 8, 2026.
The play explores the behind-the-scenes story of the making of Jaws, focusing on the actors and their experiences while filming the famous movie.
When: October 15–November 8, 2026
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Best for: Theatre fans and movie lovers
My Fair Lady
The classic musical My Fair Lady returns to Melbourne from November 14, 2026, to January 17, 2027.
The production will be presented at the Ian Potter State Theatre and celebrates 70 years since the original musical debuted.
When: November 14, 2026–January 17, 2027
Venue: Ian Potter State Theatre
Best for: Classic musical fans and families
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
A stage production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Jason Donovan, is scheduled for Melbourne.
The production runs from November 13 to December 6, 2026, at the Athenaeum Theatre.
When: November 13–December 6, 2026
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Best for: Drama and classic theatre fans
Elf The Musical
Christmas arrives early in Melbourne with Elf The Musical, which premieres at the new Crown Live theatre from November 27, 2026.
The musical is based on the popular Christmas story and is expected to appeal particularly to families and fans of festive shows.
When: From November 27, 2026
Venue: Crown Live
Best for: Families and Christmas fans
The Trumpet of the Swan
The Trumpet of the Swan is scheduled for November 20–22, 2026.
This family-friendly production is based on the classic children's story by E. B. White and combines theatre and music.
When: November 20–22, 2026
Best for: Families and children
Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan
Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan is a new Australian operatic production scheduled for November 21–28, 2026.
The production combines theatre, music and opera and features Australian creative talent.
When: November 21–28, 2026
Best for: Opera and contemporary performance audiences
Fijian Flying Circus
Fijian Flying Circus runs from October 17 to November 22, 2026.
The production combines Fijian storytelling with contemporary circus and live performance.
When: October 17–November 22, 2026
Best for: Families, circus fans and people interested in contemporary performance
Melbourne Fringe Theatre Shows
The Melbourne Fringe Festival runs from September 29 to October 18, 2026, bringing a large collection of independent theatre, comedy, performance art and experimental productions to venues around Melbourne.
Some theatre productions include Trash Wizard, A Keynote for the End Times, A Single Year Later, ALLSTARS, Attention and Autonomy of Flo(w).
When: September 29–October 18, 2026
Best for: Independent theatre, experimental performance and alternative comedy
Where Can You Watch Theatre in Melbourne?
Many major productions are staged around Melbourne's central theatre district and Southbank.
Some of the city's major theatre venues include:
Regent Theatre
Princess Theatre
Comedy Theatre
Athenaeum Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre
Arts Centre Melbourne
Malthouse Theatre
Southbank Theatre
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