Melancholia — Malthouse Theatre

Overview

One of controversial director Lars von Trier's most famous films Melancholia has been adapted for the stage — and will play at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre until Sunday, August 12.

If you haven't seen it, the story spans a woman, Justine, who is just about to be married and is suffering a mental breakdown that happens to coincide with the end of the world. Yeah, certainly not the cheeriest of films, but engrossing nonetheless.

The 2011 film version starred Kirsten Dunst as Justine and is a sprawling cinematic epic, rife with all kinds of loaded imagery and visual motifs. It's an ambitious work to turn into a play, especially given the film's abstract nature, but we have faith. It's in the hands of director Matthew Lutton and has been adapted for stage by Declan Greene — both are more than qualified to bring this apocalyptic drama to life on stage.

It will show at the Malthouse from July 13 till August 12, with previews in the first week and opening night on Wednesday, July 18.