NEON SET TO INSPIRE SOUTHBANK

Melbourne Theatre Company is excited to launch the NEON Festival of Independent Theatre, celebrating the finest of Southbank’s and Melbourne’s inspiring independent arts community.

Kicking off on May 16, the festival is set to feature original works from Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, Fraught Outfit, The Hayloft Project, THE RABBLE and Sisters Grimm that each run for a ten-day session in the Lawler at the Southbank Theatre until July 21.

MTC artistic director Brett Sheehy said the inaugural festival was one of the theatre company’s most significant initiatives to date. “With NEON, we celebrate Melbourne’s unique and thriving independent theatre landscape and its astonishing artists.”

Mr Sheehy reflected on the exciting talent on show as he unveiled the program saying “These five NEON companies represent a huge diversity of talent, and all create work which is thrilling, confronting and entertaining.”

The festival will also feature NEON EXTRA, a diverse program of activities for the public and independent theatre makers, which includes forums, workshops, networking events and mentoring opportunities.

Bringing together industry commentators, journalists and leading creatives, Mr Sheehy said NEON EXTRA would see Southbank Theatre become a 10-week focus of discourse and discussion designed to flesh out the experience of the performances.

“NEON is devoted to presenting only Melbourne companies and is dedicated solely to the art form of theatre. Part of our mission is to literally throw open our doors to all of Melbourne and to make Southbank Theatre a place of connection, accessibility and welcome, no matter what form of theatre Melbourne desires.”

Tickets to each show are $25 or a NEON PASS allows one to see all five plays for just $100.

Booking details: Southbank Theatre Box Office – 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au/neon