A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL KANTOR

The storms of climate change (or lack of storms), global financial disaster, deepening inequalities between those with and those without, and a heightened security phobia may swirl around us… but, as they say, even the darkest clouds are lined with silver.

Through it all we laugh, whether an infectious chuckle of disbelief or a gallows shriek, as we comprehend the improbability of our situation. And to the beat of our own hearts, we dance, drawn to the theatre’s torch-light as the great carnival of life sweats, stumbles and leaps high up into the end of time.

This season we have been inspired to pop on our galoshes and splash around in glistening theatrical pools, searching out the stories of the lost Everyman, the tender hearts that feverishly continue their beat in spite of everything, and who dare to mock the gods of gloom and carnage.

Some of these tales are freshly minted, and revel in the macabre and joyous other-world of the theatre itself, with some of Melbourne’s favourite stage writers – Peter Houghton and Lally Katz - taking stabs in the wings at the foibles of actors and our desire for entertainment at any cost. Others have been mined from the rich vein of Western enlightenment, prophetic visions back-lit by the genius of Voltaire, Büchner and Kafka.

It seemed to us the perfect moment to think again about the human dilemma, about how and why optimism so often lights our chosen road when logic points determinedly in another direction!

In March, we co-host Dance Massive, an initiative of Malthouse Theatre, Arts House, Dancehouse and Ausdance Victoria, celebrating Australia’s unique contemporary dance culture. Everyday for two weeks you can experience dance at Malthouse Theatre and across the city as you might never have imagined it!

And there are plenty more reasons to be cheerful! Alert to the times, we are keeping our 2009 tickets at last year’s prices. We want high quality theatre to be a real choice for as many as possible. You can even subscribe to three productions for less than $100! Through the generous help of our supporters, we continue to offer major discounts for schools and a thriving Student Rush program.

Finally, it gives us great pleasure to welcome into our neighbourhood the new MTC Theatre and Recital Centre.

Our precinct has never felt so full of promise – reasons to be optimistic indeed!

Michael Kantor, Artistic Director

DOWNLOAD SEASON ONE BROCHURE
DOWNLOAD A SUBSCRIPTION BOOKING FORM