Comedy specials, classic adaptations and contemporary creations; Victoria's versatility is on show this month across our stages.
“Just keep swimming”, “The bend and snap – works every time” and “Boldness be my friend: Arm me audacity from head to foot!” are all lines that will be spoken on the stage this month – what a range!
Yes, the Victorian theatre scene is one of diversity and October is bringing out the best bits of the stage. With household comedy names combining for Bendigo Comedy Festival and local theatre groups taking on major movie titles, stage lights will be burning bright this month.
Jump in to find out the highlights of the Victoria stage scene.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
Bendigo Comedy Festival
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Laughter can help strengthen the immune system, boost your mood and reduce stress. In short, it just feels good. The Bendigo Comedy Festival is bigger than ever as it welcomes Dave Hughes, Damian Callinan, Claire Hooper, Ray O’Leary, Luke Heggie, Nick Capper, Chris Ryan, Zoë Coombs Marr, Tess Birch, Bron Lewis, Daniel Muggleton, David Rose, Gocsy, Ashley Fils-Aime, Ben Richardson, Kristy Webeck, Nath Valvo and more. You’ll also find the Local Legends showcase featuring some of Bendigo’s brightest.
Various Venues
5 – 20 Oct
Legally Blonde
She’s the perky sorority girl whose life is flipped upside down when she is dumped by her Harvard-bound boyfriend. But when you dress in pink, your life is not going to stink. So off to Harvard Elle Wood goes to prove to her former boyfriend he messed up and that there is more to her than good looks and a keen fashion sense. Presented by the Kyneton Theatre Company, this musical has songs and moves so good it should be illegal.
Bluestone Theatre, Kyneton
Until 27 Oct
The Vessel & Until Then
Written by Dawn Bamforth shortly after the passing of her mother from Lewy body dementia, The Vessel is based on a poem titled ‘Empty Vessel’. Here we meet Mary who, despite being largely non-ambulant and non-verbal, has a zest for this thing we call life. In Until Then, we meet Rhys and Tony. Both are losing their way in life and what they hold important. Please note there are references to family violence and abuse in both plays.
Potato Shed, Drysdale
20 Oct
Damian Callinan: Double Feature
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In 2018, on the night of his dad’s funeral, Damian Callinan and his siblings discovered their mother’s diary from 1946. So intriguing was it, it led to a new show. Double Feature is both a tale of love and loss as well as a time capsule of Australian life as it adjusted to the trials of post-WW II.
Apollo Bay Mechanics Institute 23 Oct
Victoria Hotel, Port Fairy 25 Oct
Cymbeline: a Romance
Presented by the Arts Academy 2024 Graduating Company, Cymbeline is a Shakespearean play that tells the story of an ancient British king, his children, a scheming queen and a jealous husband. In what is sometimes called his last Roman play, we meet Innogen, the daughter of Cymbeline, who defies her father’s wishes and marries the lowborn Posthumus. Banished from the court, Posthumus makes a wager with Iachimo on Innogen’s fidelity. What will become of our lovers?
Helen Macpherson Smith Theatre, Ballarat
9 – 13 Oct
A Bunch of Amateurs
Jefferson Steele is a fading Hollywood action hero hoping to boost his flagging career. He arrives in Stratford, England to play King Lear, only to find out it is not the birthplace of the Bard but rather a sleepy Suffolk village. Will his ego find a way to work with a bunch of amateurs hoping to save their local theatre? Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newham and presented by The Mount Players.
Mountview Theatre, Macedon
1 – 17 Nov
Finding Nemo Jr
In 2003, the world was introduced to Nemo, Dory, Marlin, Crush and Tank Gang. The animated comedy-drama adventure film Finding Nemo is regarded as one of the greatest American animated films and holds the record for highest-selling DVD of all time. Here, CentreStage Middle Troupe Students (ages 8-12) bring the Pixar favourite to life in a 60-minute spectacular with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Just keep swimming!
CentreStage, Geelong
18-26 Oct
Transmansplaining
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Meet Ben MacEllen. Ben is a self-described “short, balding, bearded, gay, trans man” whose memoir A Cut Closer to Whole tells his story of a life that started out as Susan. Tackling depression, self-harm, emotional and sexual abuse as Susan, a true sense of self was found as Ben. The one-man stage show Transmansplaining draws on his memoir, which would sell out performances at Midsumma Festival 2023. Returning to where it all began, share in Ben’s journey as part of the Transmansplaining farewell tour.
The Engine Room, Bendigo
11 & 12 Oct
That’s just the tip of theatre performances happening across regional Victoria this month. The arts scene is also popping with visual arts experiences and exhibitions.
Head here to discover the breadth of art activities happening in October.
