A new Australian production of The Diary Of Anne Frank is heading to Melbourne in 2026, with award winning producers Drew Anthony Creative bringing the acclaimed staging to the Athenaeum Theatre from 4 March 2026.
The season follows a sold out and critically praised run at Perth’s Heath Ledger Theatre and forms part of a broader east coast tour, with the production set to move on to Sydney’s State Theatre after Melbourne.
Based on the diary of Anne Frank, the play tells the true story of a 13 year old Jewish girl living in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Written between 1942 and 1944, Anne’s diary captures daily life inside a concealed annex in Amsterdam, documenting fear, boredom, hope and the emotional turmoil of adolescence under extraordinary pressure.
First adapted for the stage in 1955 by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, The Diary Of Anne Frank quickly became one of the most important works of post war theatre. The original Broadway production earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, later inspiring the Academy Award winning 1959 film. A revised version by Wendy Kesselman premiered in 1997, offering deeper historical context for modern audiences.
Director and producer Drew Anthony leads the Australian staging, focusing on clarity, emotional truth and respect for the source material. The production features period accurate costuming by Annette Stivaletta and a restrained design approach that keeps the focus firmly on the story and performances.
Running for two hours and ten minutes including interval, the production is recommended for audiences aged 10 and over. Performances will run Tuesday to Sunday, with evening shows and matinees available.
The Diary Of Anne Frank continues to resonate across generations, offering a powerful reminder of history, resilience and the importance of empathy.
The Diary Of Anne Frank plays at the Athenaeum Theatre on Collins Street from March 4 to March 14, 2026, with performances running Tuesday to Sunday. The production runs for two hours and ten minutes including interval and is recommended for audiences aged 10 and over, with both evening and matinee performances available across the season. Tickets are available here.
