Melbourne Theatre Company 2017 Season

words by ben stephens

Shuan Micallef, Francis Greenslade and the ever beautiful Michala Banas will make their way to centre stage in The Odd Couple early next month. As the curtains close on this presumed hit, that will signal the Melbourne Theatre Company’s last performances for the 2016 season. Sad as it is, smile, as you only have 27 days until the 2017 season kicks off.

In that true Melbourne Theatre Company style, they have put together a line-up of performances that will no doubt bring the house down. MTC Artistic Director, Brett Sheehy AO said ‘The year ahead draws together an enviable assortment of artists to present stories from France, Britain, Ireland, America, India, and, of course, Australia for a season that will bring laughter, empathy, debate and intrigue to all our lives’.

With a total of 11 main stage shows coming for this season, let me tempt you with our picks of the 2017 season:

Born Yesterday
January 14 – February 25
Set in a post-war era, the fashion is sharp and the wit is on point. A tycoon wanting to be a congressman, an interfering girlfriend and a clever journalist, Born Yesterday will set the stage with corruption, greed and a layer of laughs. Garson Kanin’s 1946 Broadway comedy will no doubt be in good hands with the fantastic Christie Whelan Browne looking after the female lead.

A #tbt to the glamorous photo shoot for #mtcBornYesterday featuring the excellent @christiewhelanbrowne and @joeljacksonofficial, shot by @justinridler. ✨ #MelbTheatre2017

A post shared by Melbourne Theatre Company (@melbtheatreco) on Oct 5, 2016 at 11:05pm PDT

Three Little Words
April 18 – May 27
As a couple in the world today, when you find another couple that wants to be friends, you hit gold and you shouldn’t let that go. Three Little Words is a story about two couples, where after 20 years, one of the couples decide to call it a day, throwing the group into devastation. While wrapped up in the bubble that is being a couple, how do you deal with the break-up of close friends? Mark this one down for a double date.

Macbeth
June 5 – July 15
From the directorship of the Green Room and Helpman award winner director, Simon Phillips. Macbeth, being the most violent and darkest Shakespearian tragedy, tells the tale of a man’s love of power through corruption. Expect all the blood and gory details that Phillips has come to be known for.

Vivid White
November 18 – December 23
A tale for the ages, Vivid White  from the satirical mind of Eddie Perfect and explores the turbulent property market. With avocados on toast be blamed for the lack of new homeowners, Vivid White will be well placed to tackle the great Australian dream. Director Dean Bryant will tell the story of two couples competing against one another in the Australian real estate domain.

Whatever your taste in the world of the thespian stage, I would highly urge you to become a member of the Melbourne Theatre Company, it’s a nice thing to do. Also, you’ll get exclusive presale tickets to all the shows for the upcoming season, sign up HERE.