Backstage
Bringing you the joy, curiosity and entertainment of a trip to the theatre.
A Streetcar Named Desire
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Feature
Melbourne Makers: Stefan Gregory
Composer and Sound Designer Stefan Gregory discusses putting a contemporary musical frame around Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire.
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Video
A Streetcar Named Desire trailer
Watch the video trailer for A Streetcar Named Desire ahead of seeing the production live on stage.
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Video
A fresh lens on Blanche
Director Anne-Louise Sarks, Nikki Shiels (Blanche), Steve Mouzakis (Mitch), Michelle Lim Davidson (Stella) and Mark Leonard Winter (Stanley) on the rich and multilayered characters in A Streetcar Named Desire.
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Programme
A Streetcar Named Desire programme
Meet the ensemble cast of 10 and the creative team bringing you this Tennessee Williams classic. Plus, find out how this production led by Director Anne-Louise Sarks tests the lines between the realistic and the theatrical.
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Video
My favourite line
We asked the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire to pick their favourite line from the play.
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Video
Why should you see it?
The team behind A Streetcar Named Desire discuss why this version of Tennessee Williams's play is one you shouldn't miss.
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Video
On the couch with A Streetcar Named Desire
We sat down with the cast and creative team behind our production of Tennessee Williams's 20th century masterpiece.
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Video
A Streetcar Named Desire in rehearsals
Get your first look at our production of Tennessee Williams's classic, featuring a cast of 10, a revolving set and the direction of our very own Anne-Louise Sarks.
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Video
A photo shoot with Nikki Shiels
Go behind the scenes on a cover story photo shoot at Melbourne Tram Museum.
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Feature
A story for now
It may be set in 1940s New Orleans, but as Anne-Louise Sarks explains, A Streetcar Named Desire is a production for our time.
Season 2024
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Videos
Meet Me at Dawn | Sheridan Harbridge Interview
Discover how Sheridan Harbridge connected with her character and why the script by Zinnie Harris captures everything she loves about theatre.
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Video
English | Tasnim Hossain Interview
Director of English Tasnim Hossain tells us why she loves the humour and warmth in this Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy.
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Video
Seventeen | Fiona Choi and Richard Piper Interview
Fiona Choi and Richard Piper discuss playing teenagers, and why their characters are more complex than meets the eye.
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Video
37 | Ngali Shaw Interview
Ngali Shaw on his eagerness to take part in the stunning new work penned by Nathan Maynard.
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Video
The Almighty Sometimes | Nadine Garner and Max McKenna Interview
Taking on the roles of a mother and daughter, Nadine Garner and Max McKenna chat to us about the familial bond in The Almighty Sometimes, and why the story will resonate with audiences.
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Video
A Streetcar Named Desire | Nikki Shiels Interview
Nikki Shiels reveals why she's thrilled to take part in one of the most critically acclaimed plays of the twentieth century.
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Cost of Living | Mabel Li and Oli Pizzey Stratford Interview
Hear from Mabel Li and Oli Pizzey Stratford on why they connected with Martyna Majok's award-winning script delving into the lives of four mismatched souls struggling for connection.
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Video
Golden Blood | Merlynn Tong Interview
Writer and actor Merlynn Tong unveils the inspiration behind Golden Blood, and why she can't wait to bring it to Melbourne Theatre Company.
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Video
My Brilliant Career | Kala Gare Interview
Hear Kala Gare outline the reasons why she admires this new Australian work and the talented creatives who have brought it to life.
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Video
World Problems | Carly Sheppard Interview
Discover why Carly Sheppard thinks World Problems is a story for now that will strike a chord with audiences young and old.
Read
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Feature
Open House Melbourne Theatre Company exhibition
Learn more about the pieces on display at Southbank Theatre
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Feature
Nina Sepahpour English theatre takeover
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Feature
Melbourne Makers: Stefan Gregory
Composer and Sound Designer Stefan Gregory discusses putting a contemporary musical frame around Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire.
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Feature
Planting the seed
Author and Teach Us Consent founder Chanel Contos reflects on the impact of Julia Gillard's 'misogyny speech' on the next generation of women.
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Feature
Reflecting on The Almighty Sometimes
Jennifer Sarah Dean discusses the lessons she's learnt as assistant director to Hannah Goodwin.
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Feature
A story for now
It may be set in 1940s New Orleans, but as Anne-Louise Sarks explains, A Streetcar Named Desire is a production for our time.
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Feature
Melbourne Makers: Lyndall Grant
One of only a handful of fight directors in Australia, Lyndall Grant sheds light on the role, her involvement in The Almighty Sometimes and why 37 was one of her career highlights.
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Feature
A domestic space with a difference
Set & Costume Designer Jacob Battista gives us an insight into designing the world of The Almighty Sometimes.
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Feature
Community, ceremony and corroboree
Set & Costume Designer Dale Ferguson and Director Isaac Drandic sat down to discuss designing the world of the Cutting Cove Currawongs.
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Feature
Behind the artwork
Artist Emma Salmon explains the meaning of her piece commissioned by us for the season of 37.
Watch
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Video
A Streetcar Named Desire trailer
Watch the video trailer for A Streetcar Named Desire ahead of seeing the production live on stage.
-
Video
A fresh lens on Blanche
Director Anne-Louise Sarks, Nikki Shiels (Blanche), Steve Mouzakis (Mitch), Michelle Lim Davidson (Stella) and Mark Leonard Winter (Stanley) on the rich and multilayered characters in A Streetcar Named Desire.
-
Video
My favourite line
We asked the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire to pick their favourite line from the play.
-
Video
Why should you see it?
The team behind A Streetcar Named Desire discuss why this version of Tennessee Williams's play is one you shouldn't miss.
-
Video
On the couch with A Streetcar Named Desire
We sat down with the cast and creative team behind our production of Tennessee Williams's 20th century masterpiece.
-
Video
A Streetcar Named Desire in rehearsals
Get your first look at our production of Tennessee Williams's classic, featuring a cast of 10, a revolving set and the direction of our very own Anne-Louise Sarks.
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Video
A photo shoot with Nikki Shiels
Go behind the scenes on a cover story photo shoot at Melbourne Tram Museum.
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Video
37 at Marvel Stadium
The cast stepped off the stage and onto the field to perform a special excerpt before the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash between Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans.
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Video
In the Wrong Key
Get excited for a new musical take on literary classic My Brilliant Career, with 'In the Wrong Key' performed by Kala Gare.
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Video
Julia trailer
Watch the trailer for Julia ahead of seeing it live on stage.
MTC Digital Theatre
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News
Five MTC Productions nominated for Green Room Awards
We’re delighted to receive 15 nominations for five of our Season 2021 productions for the 39th annual Green Room Awards.
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Video
Playing the Part
Hear from the cast of As You Like It as they discuss the process of bringing Shakespeare's characters to life on stage.
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Video
Creating Costumes
Discover how the MTC wardrobe team brought Alicia Clements's intricate costume designs for As You Like It to life.
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Video
Shakespearean Comedy
Director Simon Phillips and members of the As You Like It cast discuss the specifics of what makes this play funny.
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Script Notes
All the world's a stage
Tim Walter performs one of Shakespeare's most iconic speeches in As You Like It. Discover how he brings the words to life with his notes on the Seven Ages of Man monologue.
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Education
As You Like It Education Pack
A resource pack for teachers and students to learn more about Shakespeare's As You Like It, with activities to analyse and explore the MTC production.
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Interview
Creating the Forest of Arden on stage
Production Manager Michele Preshaw and Scenic Art Supervisor Shane Dunn reflect on the process of bringing Shakespeare's Forest of Arden to life on the Sumner stage.
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Q&A
Designing As You Like It
Set and Costume Designer Alicia Clements explores the process of creating the magical world of As You Like It on stage.
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Q&A
Directing As You Like It
Director Simon Phillips discusses the specifics of Shakespearean comedy, mistaken identity and witty wordplay in As You Like It.
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Q&A
Lighting As You Like It
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper discusses shadow, colour and light in his work on As You Like It.
Ask MTC
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Ask MTC
How do you manage water onstage?
For this instalment of Ask MTC, Nick asks how the Company manages water onstage. CAD Drafter Jacob Battista answers, with a little help from Health & Safety Coordinator Liz Mundell.
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Ask MTC
Do you have an armoury?
In this instalment of Ask MTC, Senior Production Technician Allan Hirons answers Simon’s question about prop guns and onstage SFX.
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Ask MTC
Have you seen a theatre ghost?!
Break a leg! Ghost lights (and theatre ghosts). The Scottish play. This Ask MTC question is all about the spooky and the superstitious on stage.
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Ask MTC
How do you write a play?
Benjamin Law answers a collection of audience questions about how to write a play – including the mechanics of writing character and dialogue, finding inspiration, and the challenges of writing for the stage versus writing for the screen or the page.
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Ask MTC
How are your wigs made?
For Ask MTC, our dedicated wigs and make-up artist Jurga Celikiene answers Hilary’s question about how we make our actors’ wigs – and details the journey of one wig over 14 years!
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Ask MTC
How does a revolve work?
This week, Nick asked about the revolve on a stage – what is it and how does it work? One of our technical wizards, Kerry Saxby, provides the answer.
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Ask MTC
What happens to props and sets after a show?
This week, Props Buyer Jess Maguire answers a question submitted by Lee, who wants to know what happens to our props and sets after a show is finished – do we re-use them? If so, how often and how do we re-purpose them?
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Ask MTC
What do actors do when they forget their lines?
This week, Michelle Lim Davidson answers a question from Janice, who wants to know how actors remember all their lines, and how they cope when they forget one!
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Ask MTC
Open House Melbourne: Your questions answered
During Open House Melbourne last weekend, we threw open Southbank Theatre’s virtual doors for a behind-the-scenes tour with Theatre Operations Director Mark Wheeler, and then opened the floor to your questions.
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Ask MTC
How do I go about becoming a playwright?
In this regular feature, you ask the questions and we answer them. This week’s questioner didn't leave a name, but asked all about playwriting. Great question, Anonymous!