It is not essential to bring anything, but General Admission ticket holders are welcome to bring a travel rug, chair or cushion to sit on – whatever you need to make yourself comfortable on the grass. A Reserve ticket holders do not need to bring chairs, your seats will be set up prior to your arrival on site.
Please note that low rise chairs at a maximum of 15cm from the ground can be used towards the front of the audience viewing area. If you bring a standard height chair, these will be placed at the rear of the audience viewing space.
Our productions take place outdoors and there is no cover. Please consider bringing a hat, coat, blanket, sunscreen and a water bottle when attending.
Please note that umbrellas cannot be raised during performance times.
Dressing up is optional and encouraged for all our shows!
Lost and Found – If you have lost an item at one of our productions, please call 03 8676 7511 (Melbourne) or 02 9011 7704 (Sydney) or email admin@shakespeareaustralia.com.au
If you find an item, please pass it onto one of our team members so hopefully it can be reunited with its owner.
All our outdoor shows are presented in the style of “Picnic Theatre”. This means you can bring along everything you would bring to a picnic such as food, drink and a picnic rug to sit on. You can bring standard height picnic chairs but you will need to sit at the back of the audience area so people sitting on blankets and low rise chairs can see the show unobstructed.
Chair hire is also available onsite for $5 for all Shakespeare Under The Stars performances. No pre-booking possible and there are limited numbers.
(MAINSTAGE SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS EVENTS ONLY)
On arrival at the venue, you’ll be given a souvenir programme (subject to availability) and shown to your own Premium Reserved seating area with personalised low rise chair under the stars. Once you’re settled, head to the bar pre-show to pick up your complimentary red, white, or sparkling wine to enjoy during the performance. During the interval, or whenever you please, you can head to the kiosk to collect your complimentary tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
A RESERVE TICKETHOLDERS
A Reserve seats are set up prior to doors opening. If you have made separate bookings that you would like to be seated together, please email us at boxoffice@shakespeareaustralia.com.au with your order numbers prior to your performance date.
Shakespeare Under the Stars: The gates to the performance area open 2 hours prior to the start of the show.
Family Theatre: For most of our family theatre shows the performance area opens 1 hour prior to the performance.
If you are planning a picnic, it is best to come early as some children’s performances move locations throughout the show. It is best to enjoy your treats before the show begins!
For Alice in Wonderland at the Athenaeum Theatre, the doors open at 9.40am (10am show) and 12.40pm (1pm show).
Where possible we will admit latecomers into the main audience viewing area at a suitable point in the performance. Should it become necessary for you to leave once the performance has started, we ask that you do so with consideration to the performers and other audience members.
On all our show pages you will find detailed information on how to best find the event site. Navigate to your show's page for more information via the Shows & Tickets link at the top of the page.
If you need help, you can call us on 03 8676 7511.
Like most plays and musicals, the cast of our productions are ensemble companies. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of a particular artist at any performance. Appearances could be subject to many factors including illness and holidays.
No refunds or exchanges will be offered as a result of a cast member’s unavailability to appear at any given performance.
Shakespeare Under the Stars
You are allowed to take photos of the stage, as well as with your family and friends before the show.
However, so that the performers and audience are not impeded, you are not allowed to take photos during any part of the performance.
Children’s Shows
You are allowed to take photos of the stage and with your children before the show. However, you are not allowed to take photos of the performance. After most shows, you will be welcome to take photos with the performers.
We understand that you’ll probably have your phone out prior, but ASC will appreciate you putting it on silent mode or turning it off during the performance.
Our audience areas are smoke-free, especially at our family shows. Each venue has a different policy on smoking. Check out the venue information pages to know more.
Chairs are not supplied either by the Production Company or Venue; however you are welcome to bring your own picnic/camping chairs.
We ask that if you bring a high rise chair elevated more than 15cm off the grass, you sit towards the back so you do not obstruct the view of other patron’s. Staff on site will be able to assist you.
Alternatively, you may hire chairs from us upon arrival at the box office for $5 each, subject to availability. Hire chairs cannot be arranged and paid for in advance.
You can bring standard height picnic/camping chairs but you will need to sit at the back of the audience area so people sitting on blankets and low rise chairs can see the show unobstructed.
A-Reserve ticket holders have low rise chairs preset for them prior to arrival.
Below image shows differences in heights.
The below map shows where you will need to sit depending on your seat height. The dashed line in the general admission seating area is a rope line, setup each day. The distance this line is away from the stage is different depending on that performance's audience size.
