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Melbourne Theatre Company kicks off Season 2024 with SEVENTEEN

Melbourne Theatre Company’s new production of Seventeen, a fun and poignant exploration of the complexities of youth evoking the inner teen in all of us, begins preview performances from Monday 15 January, marking the first performance of its 2024 season.

Written by Matthew Whittet, Seventeen follows six teens, played by an ensemble of legendary Australian actors, assembled at the local park on the final day of high school to celebrate the great unknown that is their future. A wild night of drinking, wilder dancing, regrettable pashes and jaw-dropping confessions, Seventeen perfectly captures the rawness and vulnerability of youth conveyed by veteran actors who offer hope and tender hindsight to their adolescent characters.

Set to a soundtrack of infectious contemporary bangers and played out on a visually stunning 11m revolving playground, you’ll be drawn into the inner lives of these playful characters. Hilarious and moving, Seventeen reminds us that growing up is more than just swings and roundabouts.

An ensemble of Australians stars of stage and screen including Fiona Choi, Robert Menzies, Genevieve Picot, Richard Piper, Pamela Rabe and George Shevtsov offer the perfect juxtaposition between their generational experience and their playful teenage characters on stage.

“Seventeen is a play about the drama of arriving at adulthood, and growing up and letting go” says Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks. “It’s a universal story about connection that celebrates the transformative power of theatre to speak across generations. Full of joy and silliness, Seventeen is the perfect, playful start to Season 2024.”

Directed by Matt Edgerton, Seventeen’s creative team is completed by Set & Costume Designer Christina Smith, Lighting Designer Paul Jackson, Composer & Sound Designer Joe Paradise Lui, Movement Director Vincent Crowley, Intimacy Coordinator Amy Cater and Assistant Director and Melbourne Theatre Company’s Resident Director, Tasnim Hossain.

Seventeen begins previews on Monday 15 January at Southbank Theatre. Tickets via mtc.com.au.

Header photo by Charlie Kinross

Gabi Bergman

Gabi Bergman is a Melbourne-based performer and educator, and is the current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of AussieTheatre.com. She holds a Double Arts degree in Theatre Studies and Film/Screen Studies and a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education). Gabi has always been an avid lover of theatre, specifically musicals, and spends way too much money than she’d like to admit on tickets. Her most prized possession is her crate of theatre programs.