Canberra Theatre Centre’s 2026 season is wildly ambitious – and we’re here for it
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The lineup Canberra Theatre Centre has just unveiled for 2026 doesn’t play it safe (and that’s what makes it so exciting).
Bangarra Dance Theatre performing alongside Bluey’s Big Play. Bernard Fanning sharing a season with a techno-laser reimagining of Terminator 2. Miles Franklin’s feisty heroine Sybylla Melvyn transformed into a singer-songwriter. That’s just some of what you can expect to see on the Canberra Theatre Centre stage in 2026.
The Theatre has also announced its inaugural membership program, giving audiences attending in 2026 the opportunity to unlock membership benefits like priority access to presales, flexible ticketing options, invitations to exclusive events, discounts at the Link Bar, and special offers at nearby restaurants, simply by purchasing tickets. Anyone who buys tickets to three shows in the lineup will become a member, and every ticket purchased counts toward membership, giving theatre-goers the flexibility to choose the experiences that suit them.
Want some inspo for those three shows? We’ve got you covered.
Musicals that span centuries and sensibilities
Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of). Photography: Mihaela Bodlovi
From classics to cult faves, these are not your average musicals.
My Brilliant Career (7–15 March) brings Miles Franklin’s iconic Australian heroine back to the stage in a production The Guardian called a “funny, feminist triumph.” Then there’s Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of) (16–27 September), the Laurence Olivier Award-winning comedy that tackles Austen with irreverence and affection.
The Sapphires (30 May–7 June) arrives as a co-production between Canberra Theatre Centre and Queensland Theatre, directed by Wesley Enoch and featuring the next generation of First Nations performers. And for those who like their musicals dark and satirical, Heathers The Musical (14–23 August) is right up your alley.
Dance that burns up the stage
All In. Photography: Nat Carney
Dance programming spans the profound to the participatory.
Bangarra Dance Theatre debuts its national tour of Sheltering (23–27 May) in Canberra, presenting three powerful works exploring First Nations perspectives on place and belonging. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Garabari (19–20 February) by Joel Blak Dance transforms the theatre into a shared dance floor – think kangaroo, emu and snake dances with a massive participatory finale.
Mountain (17 October) by Melanie Lane features members of Canberra Symphony Orchestra, All In explores contemporary movement, and Victorian State Ballet brings Aladdin (23–24 April) to life. BIG Live rounds out the dance calendar with The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey (8–12 April).
Film meets live performance
Hear My Eyes presents Terminator 2: Judgement Day (18–19 March) as a 4K screening with a brand-new live techno score by Belgian artist Peter Van Hoesen, synchronised laser art by Robin Fox, and set design. It sits somewhere between film screening and live concert.
Luminous Ideas (28 February–1 March) arrives during Enlighten Festival’s opening weekend, bringing together thinkers, storytellers and podcasters for live conversations and performances.
Music from genre-defying to beloved classics
Music programming leans into both beloved Australian acts and international talent.
Meg Washington brings her genre-defying artistry (26 March), while Bic Runga makes the trip from New Zealand (14 April). Lisa Simone performs her mother Nina Simone’s repertoire (14 May), The Whitlams team up with Canberra Symphony Orchestra (8–9 May), and Bernard Fanning headlines (24 March).
Art-rock outfit Bleak Squad (4 March) and the ’80s celebration Electrifying 80s featuring Tim Campbell and Paulini (16 May) round out a diverse musical offering.
Drama that spans continents and centuries
Animal Farm. Photography: Sarah Walker
From Ancient Rome to Australian politics, the dramatic offerings are wide and varied.
The Jungle and the Sea (3–5 September) comes from the team behind the multi-award-winning Counting and Cracking, telling one family’s story through Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war. Jonathan Biggins returns as Paul Keating in The Gospel According to Paul (15–20 September), complete with fresh takes on recent media moments.
Bell Shakespeare brings Julius Caesar (10–18 April), while other productions include Trophy Boys (28 April–2 May), Animal Farm (3–5 September), Autotune (7–8 October), and Helios + Selene (20–23 May).
Comedy heavyweights
Comedy fans have plenty to work with when the Canberra Comedy Festival (11–22 March) returns with Dave Hughes, Melanie Bracewell and The Umbilical Brothers headlining.
The laughs continue with Jimeoin (11 July), Tom Gleeson (28 March), Lano & Woodley (30 May), and UK comedian Daniel Sloss (22 April). That’s a lineup that caters to just about every comedy taste going.
For the whole family
Cirque Alice
Families haven’t been forgotten, with Playschool regular Zindzi performing (14 February), plus stage adaptations of Spot (4–5 July), Where Is The Green Sheep? (6–9 November) and Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show (7–8 January).
And kicking off the entire year is Cirque Alice (22–31 January), a gravity-defying circus spectacular reimagining Lewis Carroll’s classic with international acrobats, aerialists and larger-than-life puppetry.
Discover more about what’s in store for 2026 at canberratheatrecentre.com.au.
