Malthouse Theatre Draws Together Diverse 2014 Program

Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre has announced a 2014 season that celebrates artistic diversity and risk in all its forms.

Artistic director Marion Potts and her team have committed to a program that combines original Australian work with international direction, injects the energy of some of the city’s unique independent collectives, and features Australia's up-and-coming and established onstage talent. "In 2014 we at Malthouse Theatre will continue our quest to provoke and challenge in our own irreverent way," says Potts, "It's going to be a fantastic season, the breadth of which is only supported by the depth and currency of the issues that will be raised."

Simon Stone's attitude to pillaging older texts for his own adaptations has been a hot topic of conversation in Australian theatre circles recently. Malthouse add fuel to the fire, programming a "Stoned" version of classic Hollywood film The Philadelphia Story that draws heavily on the modern cult of celebrity.

But while there’s some theatre that explodes older work into something new, Malthouse is also continuing its rich tradition of supporting Australian voices, with new plays by Roslyn Oades (Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday) and Peta Brady, whose poetic work Ugly Mugs captures the world of Melbourne's sex workers.

Another highlight is the visiting Meng Jinghui (director, National Theatre of China), who'll take on Brecht’s The Good Person of Szechuan as part of the theatre’s Directors Exchange Program.

After sold-out, uproarious shows in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEON Festival of Independent Theatre, THE RABBLE comes on board as the Company in Residence, and Sisters Grimm present an end-of-year spectacular, Calpurnia Descending, starring the sensational Paul Capsis and Ash Flanders.

Also announced is a significant new partnership with Coopers that will see Malthouse Theatre's venue renamed the 'Coopers Malthouse', a moniker that harkens back to the building's history as a brewery. More importantly, the corporate sponsorship represents a valued source of funding for more ambitious artistic projects.

Full details of the program and subscription packages can be found on the Malthouse website.