The Ian Potter State Theatre Is Reopening After Two Years—And 18,000 Free Tickets Are Up For Grabs

After a two-year refurbishment, Melbourne’s iconic Ian Potter State Theatre will reopen this October, and Victorians are invited to celebrate with Housewarming, a four-day celebration of some of the state's best performing artists.

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The Ian Potter State Theatre closed for upgrades in March 2024, and its reopening marks the first completed milestone of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.

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From 9 to 12 October, artists will hit the stage in a series of fast-paced performances, featuring dance, circus, music and theatre, directed by acclaimed Melbourne theatre-maker Michael Kantor.​

Featuring over 100 Victorian artists, and repeated seven times over the long weekend, the Housewarming performance will follow award-winning musical comedian Jude Perl as she takes audiences on a journey in search of a Lyrebird missing from the theatre’s red curtain. Perl will be joined by Principal Artist Brett Chynoweth (The Australian Ballet), singer-songwriters Emma Donovan and Eliza Hull, as well as dancer, roya the destroya, Circus Oz, Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare.

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Housewarming will also spotlight young and emerging talent, featuring The Australian Ballet School, children’s choir The Yarra Voices and students from the Victorian College of the Arts.

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Housewarming weekend will also host family-friendly performances, including The Listies on Sunday, 11 October, and a series of shows for schools on Monday, 12 October.

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Entry to ENCORE!, an exhibition of 50 fascinating objects from five decades of the Australian Performing Arts Collection—including the gold hot pants worn by Kylie Minogue in the Spinning Around music video—will also be free across Housewarming weekend.

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Visitors can also take free guided tours and catch DJ sets and roaming performances from performing arts group Born in a Taxi.

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At 7pm on 9 and 10 October, the Arts Centre’s iconic spire will light up like never before with laser show Spire Alight.​

There are 18,000 free tickets up for grabs over Housewarming weekend.

 

Tickets can be secured through the Arts Centre here. Seats are limited, so audiences are encouraged to book early.

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Free tickets for entry to ENCORE! can also be found here, and details on the full program, including non-ticketed events, can be found here.

The Ian Potter State Theatre closed for upgrades in March 2024, and its reopening marks the first completed milestone of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.

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Upgrades include making the theatre more accessible with two new lifts, new wheelchair positions in the stalls and new rows added to the balcony.  

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Improved heating and cooling systems have also been installed across the theatre, alongside technical upgrades to the lighting and sound systems.