Ian Potter State Theatre | Reopen 2026

As you sit in Arts Centre Melbourne's heritage Ian Potter State Theatre to enjoy an opera, ballet or musical, tilt your head back a little to take in the amazing ceiling and its 75,000 tiny brass spheres. As part of Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne, the Ian Potter State Theatre is closed for refurbishment from March 2024, for the first time after 40 years of hosting world-class performances. The Ian Potter State Theatre is home to two of our fabulous resident companies: The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia. The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia have been offered performance dates at The Regent Theatre as an alternative while the theatre is closed. Regent Theatre Arts Centre Melbourne remains open throughout the works and you can continue to enjoy performances and events in the Fairfax Studio, the Playhouse, Hamer Hall and Sidney Myer Music Bowl. New Name: Ian Potter State Theatre The State Theatre will return with a new name: Ian Potter State Theatre, after a $15 million pledge by the Ian Potter Foundation towards its renovation and refurbishment program Keeping the show you're about to see a tantalising mystery is the 'stately', majestic, famous curtain, designed by Graham Bennett, emblazoned with hand-painted Victorian wildflowers, the state's Coat of Arms and an outspread lyrebird's tail. The curtain was donated by the former State Bank of Victoria when the theatre opened in 1984. Hiding behind the curtain is a huge stage that's equivalent to the floor space of eight suburban homes. Before the lights go down, try counting those 75,000 tiny brass spheres decorating the ceiling. Each one is drilled with several holes to ensure the fire sprinklers hidden behind them are in excellent working order! Directions ***PLEASE NOTE*** Extensive roadworks are now underway around the Arts Centre Melbourne precinct. Please ensure you plan your journey and allow extra travel time. For more info visit: artscentremelbourne.com.au St Kilda Road Service Lane outside the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall is closed to private vehicles and taxis. Drop off and/or pick up is not currently available in this location. Parking Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park Arts Centre Melbourne's undercover car park is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The car park entrance is located at the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh St Southbank (behind Arts Centre Melbourne). For further information on car parking call (03) 9281 8012 or visit our artscentremelbourne.com.au Australian Ballet Car Park The Australian Ballet car park is located across the road from Arts Centre Melbourne. 2 Kavanagh Street, Southbank VIC 3006 australianballet.com.au | carepark.com.au Southbank Car Park Southgate Avenue, Southbank. Access via City Road or Southgate Avenue. wilsonparking.com.au Public Transportation Arts Centre Melbourne is a short walk from Flinders Street Station, a short walk or trams and buses along St Kilda Road.