Look both ways Inside information
There is so much more to be done as we reach into Melbourne’s heart to open this flagship arts organisation to more people, showcasing timely stories relevant to twentyfirst century Melburnians. In moving forward we want to connect with even more children, students, families, and our multicultural communities. We want you all to be part of our story and for us to be part of yours as we continue the journey into 2016 and beyond.
Cover: Alison Bell in STCSA’s Betrayal.
MTC Headquarters 252 Sturt St, Southbank Vic 3006 TELEPHONE 03 8688 0900 FACSIMILE 03 8688 0901 E-MAIL info@mtc.com.au WEBSITE mtc.com.au
Scenes is produced quarterly and is a publication of Melbourne Theatre Company. All information was correct at the time of printing. Melbourne Theatre Company reserves the right to make changes. EDITOR AND WRITER Paul Galloway GRAPHIC DESIGN Helena Turinski COVER IMAGE Shane Reid Melbourne Theatre Company is a department of the University of Melbourne
Brett Sheehy Artistic Director Mark Leonard Winter and Michala Banas in Birdland; (below) Matt Hetherington, Matt Day and Amber McMahon with other cast members in North by Northwest
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PHOTOS: JEFF BUSBY
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s we launch Season 2016, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year which has been incredibly exciting for Melbourne Theatre Company, and I hope for Melbourne audiences as well. In the past twelve months we’ve co-produced a major musical premiere with the Broadway and West End success Once; brought internationally acclaimed star Miriam Margolyes back to Melbourne for I’ll Eat You Last; co-produced Complexity of Belonging, a dance-theatre piece that impressed Melbourne Festival crowds before wowing European audiences; and had two hit World Premieres – Pennsylvania Avenue and North by Northwest – picked up for return seasons in early 2016. We’ve reached new audiences with stories from near and far, ranging from Tim Rogers and Aidan Fennessy’s new Australian musical What Rhymes with Cars and Girls, nominated for a range of Helpmann Awards, to British playwright Simon Stephens’ rock’n’roll drama Birdland. We’ve also reached new areas, not only with our international touring, but with our Education Production I Call My Brothers touring regional Victoria and Tasmania with the assistance of Crown Resorts Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation in our Sharing the Light initiative. This is in addition to mounting the third NEON Festival of Independent Theatre, recognising our ongoing commitment to supporting Melbourne’s vital small-to-medium sector, and continuing the Women Directors’ Program and the MTC Connect Program, with Multicultural Arts Victoria. As well, our touring programs, family productions, and expansive education initiatives are all paying dividends in spades, with many of them setting benchmarks for arts organisations around the country. But be assured – we’re not resting on our laurels!