Australian Ballet returns to renovated Melbourne home

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

The Australian Ballet performs at the refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre for the first time since March 2024.

The Australian Ballet will perform at the refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre on Saturday with The Nutcracker, marking its first performance at the venue since March 2024. The company was forced to relocate to Melbourne's Regent Theatre while the State Theatre underwent extensive renovations.

The displacement created significant operational challenges. Though the venues have similar audience capacity, the Regent Theatre's smaller stage required set modifications and new works commissioned to fit the space. Several rows of premium seating at the temporary venue had to be removed to accommodate an orchestra. These constraints, combined with fewer shows and reduced premium seating, contributed to an operating loss of $4.7 million for The Australian Ballet in 2025.

The State Theatre has a long history with the company. The Australian Ballet officially opened the venue in 1984 with Maina Gielgud's The Sleeping Beauty, and premiered Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake there in 2002. The renovations have transformed the 200-seat theatre with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, new seats and improved disability access, as part of a $1.7 billion revitalisation of Melbourne's arts precinct.

How it is being reported

• Homecoming for Australian ballet at the State TheatreIt's been more than two years since The Australian Ballet has performed at its traditional home, and it's finally returning with The Nutcracker.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 06:24
• Homecoming for Australian ballet at the State TheatreIt's been more than two years since The Australian Ballet has performed at its traditional home, and it's finally returning with The Nutcracker.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 05:08

In this story: The Australian Ballet · Ian Potter State Theatre · Melbourne · Davi Ramos · Amy Ronnfeldt · Maina Gielgud · Graeme Murphy

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem