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The Spare Room
Details Creatives & Cast Ticket Information
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Jane Hammond, Therèsa Borg

The Spare Room

7–10 October 2026 Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

The limits of friendship are put to the test in this adaptation of Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel The Spare Room. It’s heartening, harrowing and darkly funny.

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Details Creatives & Cast Ticket Information

Adapted from Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel, The Spare Room tells the story of Helen who lovingly prepares her spare room for her friend Nicola. Nicola is coming to Melbourne for three weeks to receive treatment she believes will cure her cancer.

From the moment Nicola staggers off the plane, Helen becomes her nurse, her guardian angel and her stony judge, as they negotiate an unmapped path through Nicola’s bizarre therapy.

Composer Jane Hammond and Librettist Therèsa Borg tenderly realise the rage, pained love and friendship at the essence of Garner’s award-winning book and let the story sing.

Depicting the friendship at its centre are sopranos Natalie Jones and Antoinette Halloran, who return to Victorian Opera as Helen and Nicola.

Sarah Goodes makes her operatic debut as the Director of this production, conducted by Phoebe Briggs.

Heartening, harrowing and darkly funny, The Spare Room makes its world premiere as a moving new Australian opera.

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Dates, Venue & Info

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Tickets $39 – $150

Wednesday 7 October, 7:30pm
Thursday 8 October, 7:30pm
Friday 9 October, 7:30pm
Saturday 10 October, 2:00pm
Saturday 10 October, 7:30pm

 

The Spare Room is co-produced in association with Monstrous Theatre
PRODUCTION PATRON

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Peter Laver AM

Creatives & Cast

CREDITS

Composer
Jane Hammond

Librettist
Therèsa Borg

Based on The Spare Room by Helen Garner

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor
Phoebe Briggs

Director
Sarah Goodes

Set & Costume Designer 
Harriet Oxley

Lighting Designer
Paul Jackson

CAST

Helen
Natalie Jones

Nicola
Antoinette Halloran

Orchestra
Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra

Ticket Information

Details

Concessions include: Pension and Health Care Card holders, full-time Students, and MEAA members. Companion Card ticketing available.

Other Discounts available: Seniors Card holders, 30yrs & Under, Child (14yrs & Under), and Arts Access Victoria members.

Terms & Conditions

  • All children up to 14 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years.
  • Family Group must include at least 2 Adults and 2 Child tickets.
  • We strongly advise that tickets should only be purchased via authorised ticket sellers. For The Spare Room this includes Arts Centre Melbourne, Victorian Opera, Tix.co, and TodayTix. Tickets purchased through unauthorised sellers cannot be guaranteed entrance.
  • Prices are correct at time of publishing and may vary.
  • Subscription discounts are calculated on full-priced tickets.
  • Our Privacy and Ticketing Policies can be found here.

Subscription packages

Subscribe to Season 2026 by purchasing a package of 2 or more performance to receive exclusive benefits, including a 20% discount, priority booking period, and dedicated customer service.

Want to know more? Read our handy Subscriptions FAQ.

Pricing | $35-$150

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Adult
$120
$96
$72
$55
$35
Concession
$112
$88
$64
$47
$35
Senior
$116
$92
$68
$51
$35
30yrs & Under
$30
$30
$30
Child (14yrs & Under)
$24
$24
$24
$24
$24
Want to book tickets?
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There are no additional transaction or service charge fees on Subscriptions. Delivery fees apply for post only.

Subscription ticket delivery options:

  • Printed tickets via Australia Post – Standard mail $5.00 / Registered Post $8.00
  • Print-at-Home and eTickets via email are free of charge.

Tickets

Available from Monday 27 October, 10:00am.

Pricing | $39-$150

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Adult
$150
$120
$90
$69
$39
Concession
$140
$110
$80
$59
$39
Senior
$145
$115
$85
$64
$39
30yrs & Under
$30
$30
$30
Child (14yrs & Under)
$30
$30
$30
$30
$30
Group (6-9)
$140
$110
$80
$59
$39
Want to book tickets?
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Arts Centre Melbourne Fees & Charges: A service charge up to $8.95 may apply for online and phone bookings, per transaction. Depending on what delivery method you select for your tickets, you may incur a delivery fee – these apply to hard-copy tickets and delivery methods such as Regular, Registered or Express Mail, but not to e-tickets (paperless digital tickets delivered via email).

Group (10+) and Schools

Available from Monday 27 October, 10:00am.

Group (10+) pricing | $39-$127.50

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Groups (10+)
$127.50
$102
$76.50
$58.65
$39
Want to book tickets?
Subscribe now→ Buy tickets→

How to book for Groups (10+)

  • Purchase for large groups by email or phone our team on (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1).
  • Group (10+) booking can be paid by invoice or credit card.
  • Groups (6-9) can be made with Arts Centre Melbourne via the ticketing links above.

School Group pricing | $25

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Student
$25
$25
$25
Teacher - 1 free per 10 students
$0
$0
$0
Teacher - Additional
$25
$25
$25
Want to book tickets?
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How to make a School booking

  • Purchase for a school group by email or phone our Education team on (03) 9012 6659.
  • School Groups receive 1 complimentary teacher tickets for every 10 Students booked. Additional teachers can book at Student rate.
  • All performances are accompanied by education resources.

Want to know more about our Education & Pathways programs? You can read more here.

Need Assistance?

Ticket bookings: contact the nominated ticket seller or original point of purchase.

  • Arts Centre Melbourne 1300 182 183
  • If you are unable to contact the ticket seller, phone us on (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1) or email us

Subscriptions: contact us on 1300 822 849 (Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 4:30pm) or email our Subscriptions team.

Health & Safety

If you or a member of your household is unwell or displaying symptoms of a contagious illness before a performance, please stay home and rest.

To exchange or refund your tickets due to illness, contact us prior to your performance via email or phone (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1).

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Theatres Building, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004

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