In 2024, the Melbourne’s Arts Precinct Transformation will gain momentum and The Australian Ballet will be the last company to perform in the State Theatre in March 2024 before it closes for three years.
During this renovation period, The Australian Ballet will temporarily move from the State Theatre to the historic Regent Theatre – in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
All Melbourne Principal Packages and seats are NEW. No seats have been reserved or held for our 2024 Season. It will be a fresh start for all subscribers until we return to the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne.
The Regent Theatre
The historic Regent Theatre, a Melbourne landmark since 1929, underwent a significant refurbishment in 2019.
Located at 191 Collins Street and now with increased capacity and upgraded amenities, it continues to host world-renowned theatre productions, including Disney's The Lion King, We Will Rock You, Wicked, King Kong's world premiere, Love Never Dies, Hairspray, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Regent Theatre seats
The Regent Theatre’s seating plan and reserve zones will be different to the State Theatre. All Season Packages at the Regent Theatre will be new.
In order to have a full live orchestra performing, a number of rows in the stalls will be removed and space will be constructed for the orchestra in front of the stage.
The reserves have been applied accordingly and we have carefully designed a bespoke seating plan and a range of new Season Packages for the Regent Theatre. Given the changes to some of the sightlines, it is not feasible to renew currently held seats at the State Theatre into Season Packages at the Regent Theatre.
Regent Principal Packages will be released for sale by tenure in November 2023.
Regent Principal Packages will be released to current Principal Package subscribers first, starting with those who have continuously held a package for the longest period, as well as our most dedicated philanthropic supporters. All other customers will have the opportunity to purchase a Principal Package from 28 November.
Current Principal Package subscribers have received their priority access dates for Regent Principal Packages. You can check your priority access dates by logging into your account and navigating to 'My Upcoming Events'.
Create Your Own packages will go on sale shortly after Principal Packages on Tuesday 19 December 2023, ahead of Melbourne single ticket on sale, on Thursday 1 February 2024.
The Regent Theatre seating
We are committed to making our performances and events accessible for all. Options are available for audience members requiring assistance with stairs, lifts, available listening devices and more.
Regent Theatre façade
There are many options for parking around the Regent Theatre, and subscribers will have access to discounted parking at nearby Wilson Parking car parks.
Our final season at the State Theatre will be in March 2024.
When we return to the State Theatre in 2027, there will be a new seating plan introduced to accommodate a greater number of accessible seats and wheelchair positions in the renovated venue. The new State Theatre seating plan is not yet finalised.
When Season 2027 goes on sale, it is our intention to match any Season Package seats held in 2023 as close as possible. There may be some differences in the 2027 seating plan which may necessitate changes to your previous seats.
To help with your planning, you can view the 2024 season performance and Principal Package series dates and on sale information.
Updated 3 August 2023
These FAQ relate to the move to the Regent Theatre. Visit our Season Packages FAQ for more general information.
The Regent Theatre’s seating plan and reserve zones will be different to the State Theatre. The reserves have been applied accordingly and, to offer the best experience for audiences, we have carefully designed a bespoke seating plan for our performances at The Regent Theatre.
The installation of an orchestra platform in front of the stage for Orchestra Victoria to perform from will impact the sightlines at the front of the stalls, as customers will be required to look through or over the top of the orchestra to view the stage.
Locations you may be used to seeing as Premium and A Reserve seats at the State Theatre have been classified as C, D or E Reserve seats at the Regent Theatre. This is due to the sightline restrictions from the orchestra platform.
All Premium seats at the Regent Theatre are located in the dress circle. This is because there are no seats in the stalls that are able to be classified as Premium due to the sightline restrictions and/ or distance from the stage.
This has informed a specially designed seating plan for our time at the venue to maintain the exceptional performance experience our audiences expect from the company.
No seats have been allocated for Season Packages at the Regent Theatre in 2024.
We understand that everyone has their own preference of where they like to sit in the theatre when attending the ballet and which seat they consider to be the best option for them. Therefore, current Principal Package subscribers will receive priority access to purchase their Regent Principal Package and select their own seats at the Regent Theatre. Their exclusive on sale date will be announced on 12 September 2023.
The Regent Theatre has a larger capacity than the State Theatre, and there are enough seats to accommodate all existing subscribers should they wish to purchase a Season Package at the Regent Theatre. However, there are fewer Premium seats at the Regent Theatre and all are located in the dress circle.
The seating plan for an Australian Ballet performance at the Regent Theatre has a total of 2,024 seats. The seating plan for an Australian Ballet performance at the State Theatre has a total of 1,878 seats. At the Regent Theatre we can accommodate an additional 146 guests for a performance.
Our Premium seats are defined as having the best views of the stage. All Premium seats at the Regent Theatre are located in the dress circle. This is because there are no seats in the stalls that are able to be classified as Premium due to the sightline restrictions and / or distance from the stage.
The Regent Theatre dress circle can only be accessed by stairs. If you require level access seating, look for seats in the stalls.
The best sight lines in the stalls are A Reserve options towards the rear of the stalls, which are central and will give a clear view of the stage.
The Regent Theatre has a very different layout to the State Theatre so the best views may not be in the same locations.
Reserve zones at the Regent Theatre are based on sight lines of the stage:
Premium – Best view
A Reserve – Clear view
B Reserve – Good view
C Reserve – Some restriction
D Reserve – Restricted view
E Reserve – Heavily restricted
No view – No view of the stage
There will be fewer performances of our seasons at the Regent Theatre, therefore, we have created a range of new Season Packages especially for our time performing at the new venue.
Regent Season Packages have been designed to ensure that each package can include all performances for a specific day and performance time.
As a result of the change to venue and limited theatre availability, we will be unable to present the same number of seasons and performances in Melbourne in 2024.
We look to present more seasons at the Regent Theatre in 2025 and 2026.
In 2024, we will be performing a special one-off season of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland©. Our performances in Melbourne will be held at the State Theatre, and will be the final production in the State Theatre before it closes for renovations. As such, these performances will fall outside of our 2024 Season Packages held at the Regent Theatre.
Subscribers have priority access to purchase discounted tickets from 9 August ahead of the general public on 23 August 2023.
If you are unable to join us during our time at the Regent Theatre, you will still be offered the option to renew your Season Package when we return to the State Theatre in 2027.
Due to the renovations within the State Theatre’s auditorium, we
cannot guarantee the same seat you held for your 2023 Season Package,
but we will do our very best to seat subscribers as close as possible to
their original seating.
The ‘Regent years’, while brimming with exciting opportunities, are going to be financially challenging for The Australian Ballet.
Creating new repertoire of an exceptional standard that is designed for the Regent Theatre and modifying the venue for ballet productions, will significantly increase our production costs over the next three years. Additionally, fewer performances in Melbourne during this period will reduce our national box office potential, while many of the company’s other fixed costs will increase.
The impact of this period of disruption in Melbourne will be felt deeply, but we are confident we can overcome this challenge with your support.
With your help, we have overcome some of our biggest challenges before and, this year we’ll be inviting subscribers to make a gift when they renew their Season Package.
Gifts of all sizes will help to sustain us through the Regent years and allow us to keep dancing on.
To find out how you can support The Australian Ballet during this time, please contact our Philanthropy team.
Support usIf you wish to speak to someone in person, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated Customer Experience team directly.
Regent Theatre façade
Regent Theatre seats
Regent Theatre signage
Regent Theatre foyer ceiling
Regent Theatre façade
Regent Theatre seats
Regent Theatre signage
Regent Theatre foyer ceiling
