FANGIRLS to make Melbourne debut

Arts Centre Melbourne is excited to announce that the break-out musical FANGIRLS, from award-winning playwright Yve Blake will make its Melbourne debut at the Playhouse Theatre from 28 April – 9 May as a part of a national tour.

This energetic musical will be showing in Melbourne for the first time following sell-out crowds for Belvoir’s season at the Seymour Centre.

“We’ve been dreaming of coming to Melbourne for years. When we premiered in 2019, some industrious teens started a petition to bring the show to Melbourne and I’m so happy that we can finally deliver on that wish,” says the creator of FANGIRLS – Yve Blake.

“Even though this show is called FANGIRLS, it’s not just about fans or girls. It’s a show for anyone that has felt the sweet torture of a first crush, or who knows what it’s like to be obsessed with something that isn’t ‘cool’.”

The prolonged intermission between shows at the Playhouse Theatre will add an extra element to this performance, mirroring the excitement around the show as Arts Centre Melbourne create offerings for audiences to embrace the arts once again.

“It’s incredible to have FANGIRLS as a part of our re-opening of the Theatres Building at Arts Centre Melbourne. This has been made possible thanks to the generous support of all those who donated to our Recovery Appeal,” says Arts Centre Melbourne’s Creative Producer, Theatre & Contemporary Performance – Daniel Clarke.  

FANGIRLS  follows the uproarious story of Edna, a plucky misfit scholarship girl who believes that she alone can win the heart of the world’s biggest pop star: Harry. Sure, he has 38 million other fans, but for Edna, that’s merely a hurdle. Because there’s nothing she won’t do to prove to Harry that she’s the one.

With a dazzling cast including AYDAN from The Voice, Danielle Barnes, Chika Ikogwe, Shubshri Kandiah, Ayesha Madon, James Majoos, Karis Oka, Tomáš Kantor and Shannen Alyce Quan, this critically acclaimed show is captivating and will leave you wanting more.

This show is founded in Blake’s fascination for the way that society can see a mob of screaming fans as “embarrassing” if they’re female and at a pop concert, but “passionate” if they’re male and at a footy match. She set out to write the show she wished her 14-year-old self could have seen: a comedy all about the ways that the world tries to convince young women that they’re not as worthy as their brothers.

“The response from audiences so far has been unreal. I’m so shook by all the fan art, the memes, and the crafts! I’ve seen people bring handmade signs like it’s a pop concert, and even make custom jewellery,” says Blake.

“People should see this show because it’s a love letter to the awkward teenagers that we have all been, and also it’s the perfect antidote to 2020. This show was designed to feel and sound like a thrilling pop concert, and after a year of no concerts, it really does hit differently.”

Yve Blake is a decorated performer and playwright, awarded with the Inaugural Rebel Wilson Theatre Maker Scholarship (2016) and has been widely recognised for FANGIRLS with the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Mainstage Musical (2019), Matilda Award for Best Musical or Cabaret (2019) and AWQGI AWARD for Music Theatre (2020).

Tickets on sale from 12pm, Wednesday 23 February via artscentremelbourne.com.au