Entertain with us
Season 2026

Share the power of live theatre with
Melbourne Theatre Company

As world-class storytellers, we understand the power of shared experiences.

Whether it’s the world premiere of a new Australian work, an acclaimed international drama or an award-winning musical, our productions provide a unique opportunity to offer your most valued guests an unforgettable night at the theatre.

Our Season 2026 delves into the full range of human emotion across twelve remarkable productions. From the exhilarating return of the Australian musical My Brilliant Career, a joyous celebration of ambition and independence, to West Gate, a powerful retelling of one of Melbourne’s defining stories of courage and community. We are captivated by the timeless beauty of The Glass Menagerie, the wit and tension of Retrograde and the hilarious chaos of Losing Face, while Uncle Vanya, The Jungle and the Sea and A Room with a View sweep us across eras and continents, capturing love, loss and the shared threads of humanity. These world-class productions are just a selection of many extraordinary occasions to entertain your clients and engage your staff in Season 2026.

We're for stories and we would love to share them with you and your guests. Read on to explore our new Corporate Entertainment offering and your guide on planning your event with us.

For further information on our 2026 productions and to enquire about client entertainment opportunities please contact:

José Ortiz - Business Development Manager
E: J.Ortiz@mtc.com.au
M: 0466 448 807

Explore our Corporate Entertaining Options

Corporate Tickets

Access the best seats in the house with our personalised corporate booking service. Available to purchase:

  • Premium in-season theatre tickets from our reserved corporate allocation - starting from $152 (incl. GST)
  • Drink vouchers redeemable at foyer bars
  • Arts Centre Melbourne carpark vouchers

Private Dining

We offer a range of catering options to best suit your event including:

  • Cocktail style catering with canapés and beverage packages in a private venue.
  • Seated pre or post-show dinners.
  • Private interval drinks.

We also work with premium restaurants and can facilitate bookings for client dinners at our theatre restaurant Miss Pearl or partner restaurant Commune Wine in the Arts Precinct.

Planning your event

Our experienced team have put together the below guide to help plan your event with Melbourne Theatre Company so you can take your seat and enjoy the show.

Backstage Experience

Offer your clients an unforgettable night at the theatre with our Backstage Experience events, which could include the following:

  • Pre-show cocktail style catering with canapés and beverage packages.
  • Pre or post-show dinner with theatrical styling to compliment the play.
  • Personalised introduction to the show from a member of Melbourne Theatre Company's Artistic team.
  • A chance to watch the stage being reset after the performance with behind-the-scenes insights from Stage Management.
  • Exclusive Q&A with the cast following the performance.

Only a limited number of Backstage Experience opportunities are available for Season 2026. Please enquire promptly to secure your booking.

Example Backstage Experience Proceedings

5.30pm

Guests arrive at the Southbank Theatre Lounge. Canapé and beverage service commences.

6pm

Guests enjoy an introduction to the play from a member of the Artistic team.

6.30pm

Performance commences.*

8pm

Performance concludes and guests are invited to remain in their theatre seats to watch the stage reset, with a post-show talk from a member of the Production team. The cast are then invited to greet guests from the stage and answer audience questions.

8.30pm

Guests are invited to return to the Lounge to enjoy dinner. Main course followed by dessert, tea and coffee.

10pm

Event concludes and guests depart.

* Please note that performances commence at 6.30pm on Mon-Tues, and 7.30pm Weds-Sat, and event proceedings may change due to production runtime.

OUR VENUES

Southbank Theatre Lounge

The Lounge is an oasis within the bustling Southbank Arts Precinct, with spectacular views across the city through large windows or from the terrace. These private function rooms on the second floor can be used together or divided for more intimate events. The Lounge is perfect for cocktail functions for 15 to 60 guests or sit-down dinners for up to 40 guests across both spaces.

The Lawler

The Lawler is our flexible black-box performance space. With all the capabilities of a professional theatre space including lighting, sound and vision, the space can be transformed to compliment the world of the play your guests are seeing, creating the ultimate immersive Melbourne Theatre Company experience.

Arts Centre Melbourne

As a resident company of Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Theatre Company performs a number of plays here every year. The Arts Centre has a range of unique spaces suited to host a wide range of functions and events, from intimate banquets to impressive cocktail parties.

Level One Foyer

The Level One Foyer can host up to 300 guests for a private cocktail party or a sit-down dinner for up to 150 guests. Alternatively, an exclusive space of the foyer can be reserved for groups of approximately 5 to 15 for pre-show gatherings, providing a cordoned area with comfortable access to the Tonks Bar, surrounded by the buzz and atmosphere of other theatre-goers.

Explore our Full Season 2026

Highlights for Client Entertainment in 2026

MY BRILLIANT CAREER

23 JAN  28 FEB 2026

Miles Franklin’s fearless heroine Sybylla Melvyn returns in this joyous, five-time Green Room Award-winning musical that took Melbourne by storm. Sheridan Harbridge, Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank’s electric reimagining bursts with pop, folk and wit as Sybylla fights for her independence and creative freedom.

A joyful, feel-good start to the year — full of music, laughter and the spirit of adventure. The perfect night to entertain clients and colleagues alike.

WESTGATE

10 MAR — 18 APR 2026

Dennis McIntosh’s compelling new drama revisits the 1970 West Gate Bridge collapse — a tragedy that shaped Melbourne’s history. Directed by Iain Sinclair and featuring Steve Bastoni, Daniela Farinacci and Lachy Hulme, this powerful work honours resilience, mateship and community. 

A gripping and deeply human story of courage and solidarity — an unforgettable Melbourne tale perfect for entertaining guests who value meaningful storytelling.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE

27 APR — 5 JUN 2026

Tennessee Williams’ iconic masterpiece returns in a luminous new staging by Mark Wilson, starring Alison Whyte in a career-defining role as Amanda Wingfield. Poetic, moving and achingly beautiful, this story of love, hope and illusion remains as powerful as ever.

Audiences will be captivated by Williams’ timeless storytelling and Whyte’s commanding performance — a breathtaking evening of classic theatre at its finest.

RETROGRADE

16 MAY  27 JUN 2026

Set in 1950s Hollywood, Ryan Calais Cameron’s razor-sharp drama sees a young Sidney Poitier face a career-defining choice that pits ambition against integrity. Directed by Bert LaBonté and starring Alan Dale, this tense, witty work brims with moral complexity and style.

Smart, suspenseful and timely, Retrograde offers a thought-provoking night of theatre — perfect for entertaining guests who enjoy sharp, sophisticated storytelling.

LOSING FACE

22 JUN - 25 JUL 2026

From Marieke Hardy comes a riotous and subversive new comedy about friendship, vanity and the pursuit of eternal youth. When a girls’ weekend at a luxury wellness retreat goes hilariously wrong, chaos — and self-discovery — ensue.

Directed by Leticia Cáceres and starring Michala Banas and Genevieve Morris, Losing Face delivers laugh-out-loud moments and biting social satire — a hilarious night out for colleagues or clients who love bold Australian comedy.

UNCLE VANYA

21 JUL – 22 AUG 2026

Anton Chekhov’s timeless masterpiece of love, longing and disillusionment is reimagined by Anne-Louise Sarks and adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith. Featuring Daniel Henshall and Catherine Văn-Davies, this elegant new production brims with wit, warmth and emotional insight.

An evening of humour and humanity, Uncle Vanya is a masterclass in classic theatre — ideal for sophisticated corporate entertaining.

ELIZA

28 SEP — 31 OCT 2026

Tom Holloway’s gripping new thriller, inspired by real events, delves into the birth of artificial intelligence and the boundaries of human connection. Directed by Paige Rattray and starring Dan Spielman and Manali Datar, this psychological drama sits at the cutting edge of modern storytelling.

Smart, suspenseful and thought-provoking, Eliza captivates audiences with its moral tension — ideal for entertaining guests curious about innovation and ideas.

BEFORE I FORGET

24 OCT — 28 NOV 2026

Kamarra Bell-Wykes’ poignant new work, inspired by lived experience, explores memory, motherhood and cultural legacy through a deeply personal First Nations lens. Centered on a formidable matriarch facing dementia and the daughter navigating her care, this emotionally rich story is layered with humour and truth.

Tender, powerful and resonant, Before I Forget offers a moving reflection on family, identity and the enduring strength of ancestral connection — ideal for audiences drawn to intimate and meaningful storytelling.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

14 NOV — 19 DEC 2026

Grace Chapple’s lively adaptation of E.M. Forster’s beloved novel, directed by Hannah Goodwin, sweeps audiences from Florence to England in a whirlwind of beauty, love and self-discovery. Starring Nathalie Morris, this radiant retelling sparkles with wit and charm.

Sumptuous and full of heart, A Room with a View is the perfect summer finale — a gorgeous evening of romance and laughter to close the season.

Safe and respectful events in 2026

At Melbourne Theatre Company, we are committed to ensuring that our environments are safe and comfortable for all.

Please be mindful of any comments which may cause offence or be considered inappropriate. Bullying or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Your thoughtful consideration will help us create safe, respectful and welcoming events for all corporate entertainers, guests, audience members, staff and creatives.

Learn more about our corporate events policies, as well as further ticketing information below.

Photos: Corporate event photography by Heath Warwick.

Season 2026 image credits: My Brilliant Career by Pia Johnson. West Gate, The Glass Menagerie, Retrograde, Losing Face, Uncle Vanya and Eliza by Jo Duck. A Room with a View and The Jungle and the Sea by Daniel Boud.