After rave reviews and multiple awards, the cathartic comedy Heartbreak Hotel is returning to Australia with performances in Melbourne, Ballarat, Wollongong and the Gold Coast.
The acclaimed show tracks a woman’s broken heart in a wrenching and relatable journey that’s studded with classic break-up songs and razor-sharp observations on the physiology of love.
Created by Aotearoa-New Zealand’s EBKM and directed by Eleanor Bishop, Heartbreak Hotel is a hilarious two-hander performed by Karin McCraken and Simon Leary.
Written by McCracken, Heartbreak Hotel combines story, science and a synth in an exhilarating performance that examines what happens in our bodies when we’re bereft.
Moving between realism, humour and abstract sequences – including a journey through Berlin’s club scene – Heartbreak Hotel incorporates live music throughout the show with covers of classic breakup songs by Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Elvis and Bonnie Raitt.
“I wanted to create a show that touched on the experience of heartbreak,” said McCracken. “Eleanor and I were talking to university students about emotional resiliency, and the conversations often ended up revolving around relationships, conflict, and heartbreak.”
“Given we related to this ourselves, we realised the subject of breakups is really ageless, as anyone can go through heartbreak at any stage of their life. We know from the research that connection with others helps when you’re heartbroken, as does having art and awe experiences.”
“Making a show that brings people together so they can reflect on their own experiences of heartbreak while making them laugh at the same time felt socially useful and a fun way to explore something that most of us both go through and recover from. We’ve been incredibly touched by audience reactions to the show,” said McCracken.
After a sell-out season at last year’s RISING festival, and tours to London, Edinburgh, Toronto and New York, Karin and her Wellington-based crew return with their cathartic comedy exploring what heartbreak does to our bodies and minds.
Heartbreak Hotel will play the Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne from 14 – 19 July, before heading to Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat on 8 August, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Wollongong from 12 – 15 August, and HOTA Gold Coast from 19 – 22 August 2026.
Image: Heartbreak Hotel – photo by Lewis Ferris