Artwork for Southbank Theatre

What’s On

Designed by the award winning Melbourne based ARM Architecture, Southbank Theatre opened in 2009 and contains two performance spaces, function rooms, foyers and extensive backstage facilities.

As the principal home of Melbourne Theatre Company, Southbank Theatre presents the majority of our annual season as as well as other activity such as the Cybec Electric play readings and our Education & Families performances.

Southbank Theatre is also available for hire, with a broad range of performances and events presented throughout the year.

Spaces

The Sumner

The Sumner is a state-of-the-art, 559 seat theatre offering advanced stage technology and a level of intimacy not previously seen in Australia. Named after our first Artistic Director, John Sumner, the Sumner has been designed to provide comfort and excellent stage views for all the audience, with a flexible stage that allows Melbourne Theatre Company to present a wide range of theatre styles, from large scale spectacles down to tightly-focused dramatic performances.

View a seating map of the Sumner here.

The Lawler

The Lawler is a flexible black-box studio with seating for 163 people, perfect for performances on an intimate scale. Melbourne Theatre Company's focus for the space is to produce more works of an experimental, cutting-edge and developmental nature, as well as presenting play readings of new works by emerging playwrights. The Lawler is regularly used by other companies, highlighting the diversity of performance being created across Melbourne and beyond.

Artwork for Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation

Getting Here

  • PARK

    Whether you’re seeing a show at Southbank Theatre or Arts Centre Melbourne, Wilson Parking have got you covered. Get access to special rates when you park at Wilson Parking’s Southgate, Riverside Quay, Eureka or Flinders Gate car parks. Make a booking online or via the Wilson Parking app today. 

    All car park bookings are managed by Wilson Parking. Please direct any enquiries to Wilson Parking at 1800 727 546. 

    BOOK USING PROMO CODE MTCPATRON24
  • Tram

    For routes travelling up and down St Kilda Rd (numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72) you can get off at the Arts Centre stop and walk to Southbank Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne. Route 1 (to South Melbourne Beach) goes down Southbank Blvd, and stops on Sturt St just outside Melbourne Recital Centre, located next to Southbank Theatre.

    More Info
  • Train

    Southbank Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne are within easy distance of Flinders Street Station. After exiting the station simply walk south down St Kilda Road (away from the CBD), or catch a south-bound tram from the Flinders Street Station/Federation Square tram stop.
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Accessibility

More Information
  • Wheelchair and mobility access

    Facilities for wheelchair access and seating that allows more room for the use of mobility aids are available in all theatres. Please make your requirements known when booking.

  • Captioning and FM hearing system

    An FM hearing system is available for all performances in the Sumner, Playhouse and Fairfax Studio at no charge upon presentation of identification to theatre ushers. Audience members receive either a headset or neck loop enabling use of a hearing aid via the T-switch.
  • Companion Cards

    Melbourne Theatre Company offers Companion Card holders a free ticket for their companion to attend the performance and assist with their access needs.

Dining

  • Foyer Bars

    Conveniently located for a pre-show or interval snack, our Foyer Bars feature a premium selection of confectionary, ice-creams, food and drinks.

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  • Miss Pearl Bar + Dining

    Located within Southbank Theatre,  Miss Pearl Bar + Dining is a casual and contemporary bar and restaurant bringing the vivid flavours of Asia to the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

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  • Southgate Complex

    Southbank Theatre is ideally located just five minutes from the Southgate complex on the Yarra River, with a ten minute stroll from the Melbourne CBD. The complex offers an enormous range of dining and bar opportunities to explore.

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  • More Dining Options

    Learn more about other great dining options in the Arts Precinct, including; Southbank Theatre foyer bars, Miss Pearl Bar + Dining, Melba Restaurant, Taxi Kitchen, The Deck Southbank and Transit Rooftop Bar. 

    Learn more