The Dinner Party

Presented by VCA Theatre and Design and Production

The graduating Theatre making students, in collaboration with students from Design and Production, are serving up a banquet of new work. Set around an evolving table, these emerging theatre makers have collaborated to create three, 30 minute inventive responses to the prompt of 'entrée, main, dessert'. 

Come along to be among the first audiences to experience this exciting program of fresh, new, diverse theatre!

Entrée: The Oyster

Love, why do fight for it? Why do we want it?

At times it is a constant battlefield. But isn’t it still worth it all? Opportunities. Some decisions can alter the course of someone’s life.
Tonight, we present an array of dishes for you to choose from. Which dish will be your favourite?

Content Warnings:
Sudden loud noises, Screaming, Loud music, Bright lights, Flashing lights, Crude language, Themes of a sexual nature, Depictions of romantic conflict, Mentions of homophobia, Depictions of casual racism, Close proximity to performers

Main: RED MEAT

Perfectly shiny, smooth and complicit, for all your everyday needs. Freshly wrapped, we’ll mold them for you and get them on their knees.
Warning: subjects may bite.

Content Warnings:
Loud Noise, Bright Lights, Flashing Lights, Explicit Language, Sexual References, References to Abuse, Distorted Images, Sexism, Screaming, References to violence against women

Dessert: Forever Striptease

What is true vulnerability?
Forever Striptease explores the performance of "stripping", mapping the landscapes of vulnerability with a collage of image, text and media. How do you keep stripping back once the striptease is finished?

Content Warnings:
Loud sounds, Flashing lights, Bright lights, Full frontal nudity, Audience Interaction (If you do not want to interact with the cast, please sit in the back rows of the seating).

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Ticket Prices

Full: $15
Concession: $10

Run time

Each of the three Courses of The Dinner Party runs for approximately 30 minutes. Latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of front of house.

Venue

This performance takes place in Martyn Myer Arena. Please meet Front of House in The Octagon, located on the corner of Grant and Dodds Street, to be admitted to the performance space.

Accessibility

Access Guide

For a more comprehensive look at what to expect at The Dinner Party, click here to view or download our Access Guide.

Relaxed Performance

The performance on Saturday 2 November, 2PM is a Relaxed Performance. 

Click on the accessibility button at the top of this page for detailed information on accessibility in the venue. Please note any requirements that you and your guests may have when prompted at checkout. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit:  https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events.  

Parking

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine. More information.

Important Information

• As this is a new devised work, content warnings may be updated closer to the performances. Audiences will be made aware of updated warnings in their event reminder.
• Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.  
• In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat.  
• Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour. 

Banner: Image by Jonah Fleming, 2024.