[category]
[title]
Theatre enthusiasts, we’ve got good news. After more than two years behind closed doors, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Ian Potter State Theatre has officially reopened – six months ahead of schedule. For context, the 2,000-seat theatre has been undergoing its first major refurbishment since opening in 1984, designed to make the grand old theatre more accessible and comfy, while keeping its distinctive heritage interiors intact. According to all reports, it’s mission accomplished – here’s what to expect at Ian Potter 2.0.
For the first time, patrons with mobility challenges will have access to seating on every level. The upgrade has added new wheelchair positions in the stalls, supported by two new lifts, as well as new aisles in the stalls and circle. New rows have also been added to the balcony, while the foyers now have all-gender and wheelchair-accessible amenities. There are also new custom-designed seats throughout the auditorium, along with upgraded heating and cooling so we stay a happy temp while we're watching a show.
Behind the scenes, the theatre has received a serious technical overhaul. A new integrated sound system features 200 speakers, 60 amplifiers and more than 12-kilometres (you read that right) of cabling, and a completely new performance lighting system has been installed.
The refurb has also given the theatre a few sparkling new details. The iconic Truscott ceiling, made up of around 75,000 individual brass spheres, was painstakingly removed, cleaned and reinstated. A new hand-gilded ceiling in the stalls and circle features more than 27,000 baubles designed to help diffuse sound around the auditorium.
And now for the fun bit: the reopening program. The theatre’s first performance was Gugu Dindi Gunyah (Many Rivers. One Home) – a world-premiere First Nations-led concert which christened the space on October 3.
From October 9–12, Housewarming will bring more than 100 Victorian artists across music, dance, theatre and circus to the precinct, with free performances, food and activities. There’ll also be free entry to the new ENCORE! exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Australian Performing Arts Collection, plus guided tours, DJ sets and roaming performances.
Over on the Theatres Building Spire, Spire Alight will light up the sky with a laser show on October 9 and 10.
The program continues with Opera Australia’s The Wagner Gala Concert on October 16, The Australian Ballet’s The Nutcracker from October 24–31, and My Fair Lady from November 14. The latter will be the first major musical to take to the refurbished stage.
There’s more to come in 2027, too, including the free community concert Soundtrack to Our Lives and a new show from Circus Oz and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, The Next Big Thing.
You can learn more and plan your visit over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.
RECOMMENDED:
Melbourne was just named the friendliest city on Earth for 2026 by Condé Nast Traveler
These are the best restaurants in Melbourne right now
And this Melbourne pizzeria has made the world’s 50 Top Pizza list for 2026