History

Beginning as the Union Theatre Repertory Company in 1953, Melbourne Theatre Company is the oldest professional theatre company in Australia. From the small company John Sumner founded to present repertory seasons of the world’s best plays at the Union Theatre at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Theatre Company grew rapidly to become a major Australian arts company, a Melbourne institution and the model for all the State theatre companies that followed.

Over 70 years we have presented more than 850 productions and been at the forefront of groundbreaking new work that has shaped artists, audiences and the country.

Take a walk down memory lane with our interactive timeline as we look back at key moments that shaped our journey and set the course for the next 70 years.