La Mama Theatre returns in 2026 with exciting new program

After a year-long pause prompted by funding cuts, Carlton’s beloved La Mama Theatre will return in 2026 with a reimagined program that reaffirms its place at the heart of Melbourne’s independent arts scene.

The much-loved Faraday St institution halted all productions in 2025 following an unsuccessful bid for federal funding through Creative Australia’s 2025–2028 grants round – a loss that stripped away roughly a third of its operating income. The pause was felt deeply across the arts community, with artists, audiences and local supporters rallying around the theatre during what artistic director and CEO Caitlin Dullard described as a “moment to be proactive” and strategically rebuild for the future.

Now, La Mama is ready to welcome audiences back. From February to May, La Mama Presents will showcase eight new Australian works by some of the nation’s most exciting playwrights and companies, spanning comedy, drama, satire and gothic storytelling. Highlights include Maki Morita’s 月を見る夜 Moongazing, a poetic fusion of Japanese folklore and the digital world; Glenn Shea’s haunting Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret; and Back to Te Maunga, a Māori dramedy exploring male friendship and belonging.

Throughout 2026, La Mama’s programming will expand across three distinct streams: La Mama Presents (February to May), Play (June to August), and Partnerships (September to December). The Play season will focus on development and experimentation, with artists testing new ideas through scratch performances, exploratory residencies, and a 12-week writer development program. Later in the year, Partnerships will see collaborations including the Hope Punk Climate Festival, the Melbourne Festival of Puppetry, and Cultural Conservation in Action – a platform for First Nations storytelling and cultural archiving.

Tickets for La Mama Presents are on sale now. For more: lamama.com.au •