As Melbourne slips into tennis season, a different kind of match is set to play out on stage at Theatre Works, with Angus Cameron’s Australian Open returning as part of the Midsumma Festival.
Timed to coincide with the city’s annual tennis frenzy, the play centres on Felix’s 31st birthday dinner, where conversation quickly shifts from cake and candles to his boyfriend Lucas’ recent loss to Roger Federer. The evening takes a turn when Felix reveals that he and Lucas plan to maintain their open relationship even if they marry, setting off a chain reaction that transforms a polite family gathering into a high-stakes emotional contest.
Australian Open leans into themes of elite sport, ambition and intimacy, using the language and tension of tennis to explore how families and partners negotiate love, success and expectation. The result is a fast-paced, often provocative work that balances humour with moments of genuine vulnerability.
The production features a strong ensemble cast including Jane Montgomery Griffiths, Eddie Orton, Sebastian Li, Alec Gilbert and Melissa Kahraman. Behind the scenes, a team of award-winning and nominated creatives help shape the experience, with lighting by Sidney Younger, sound and composition by Jack Burmeister, and set and costume design by Harry Gill.
Presented through the By Theatre Works programming stream, the return season offers audiences a chance to revisit an acclaimed Australian play or catch it for the first time. With its sharp dialogue and topical setting, Australian Open promises an engaging addition to the Midsumma Festival lineup and a lively start to Theatre Works’ 2026 season.
Australian Open opens on Thursday 22 January at 7pm and runs from 21 to 31 January 2026 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda. Tickets and full details are available at theatreworks.org.au
