BELVOIR St Theatre, one of Australia’s most celebrated theatre companies, brings Mandela Mathia’s powerful autobiographical solo show Lose to Win to Frankston Arts Centre for one night only on Saturday 16 May, as part of the 2026 Season and the South Side Festival. Blending spoken word, song and humour, Mathia (known for The Cherry Orchard) shares his extraordinary journey from South Sudan to Egypt, and ultimately to Australia. Forced to flee his war-torn home as a child, he spent years searching for safety, identity and belonging—before discovering a passion for performance. The result is a deeply personal and uplifting work…
Browsing: FAC
STEP inside a photobooth and explore the extraordinary life of Alan Adler, Australia’s most photographed man, in Auto Photo: A Life in Portraits at Frankston Arts Centre. This moving exhibition celebrates Adler’s life and legacy, spanning more than 50 years behind Melbourne’s iconic photobooths. Adler ran the Flinders Street booth and others across the city, capturing thousands of photo strips of himself while maintaining the machines. His personal archive forms a unique visual diary, documenting not only his own life but also Melbourne’s changing streets, faces, and communities over decades. At the height of his work, Adler maintained 16 booths…
THE $2.1 million redeveloped Frankston Arts Centre forecourt was officially opened last week. The forecourt now features upgraded pathways and ramps, separate areas for cars and pedestrians with marked drop-off and pick-up zones, enhanced lighting, additional seating, a new water feature, and larger street-facing signage. Alongside the new forecourt, the mezzanine gallery of the dress circle was also renamed the “Gale Dudeck Lounge” last month. Gail Dudeck was among the leading voices in the campaign to build the Frankston Arts Centre – her granddaughter Amy Dudeck said “seeing the forecourt transformed alongside the dedication of the Gail Dudeck Lounge is…
EXPERIENCE the wonder of Roy Orbison in this brilliant theatrical portrayal of the man, his music, his voice, and his life. Only the Lonely…Crying…You Got It…Penny Arcade…Working for the Man…Pretty Woman..so many more…Mark Shelley is simply brilliant in his characterisation of Roy. He not only has the vocal range and tone to honour his songs, he also has the sensitivity and artistic ability to ‘be’ Roy. His seven piece live band are the finest of Australia’s musicians.“I am both a massive fan and admirer of Roy’s immense talent, singing and song writing ability. There has been no one like him…
SINGER Graham G Toole has hit the jackpot as Kenny Rogers. Graham has made a career out of singing the songs of the greats, performing tributes to Glen Campbell, John Denver, and Kenny Rogers over the past 38 years. Growing up in a musical household, Graham’s passion for music was evident from an early age. He joined an old-time dance band and, at 16, won a talent competition to be the curtain-raiser for a young John Williamson’s travelling out west TV show. Graham’s performances transcend generations, with grandparents eager to share the music. “They’re just such well-crafted songs,” he says.…
Next month, Frankston Arts Centre will welcome Duck Pond, the latest creation from Circa Contemporary Circus, renowned for pushing the boundaries of physical theatre with daring innovation and a playful spirit. Taking inspiration from the world’s most romantic ballet, Duck Pond transforms Swan Lake into a vibrant circus spectacular. The production blends breathtaking acrobatics, sumptuous aerial routines and Circa’s signature physicality with a mischievous sense of humour. Expect flipper-wearing ducks, a burlesque black swan and, of course, feathers – lots of them. Director Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble have created a performance that is both visually spectacular and emotionally…
AWARD-winning play The Visitors will be performed at the Frankston Arts Centre later this year.The Visitors is directed by Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch, and won the awards for best mainstage production and best ensemble at the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards. Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company have teamed up to take the show on tour this year.The play is set in January 1788, and follows seven clan leaders who wrestle with the decision of what to do when a fleet of giant nawi amasses at the harbour. The seven leaders are faced with the choice to send the strangers…