Due to overwhelming demand, Melbourne Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed new Australian musical comedy, Bloom, has extended its season at Arts Centre Melbourne until Saturday 26 August 2023.
Tom Gleisner’s sensational debut musical, featuring music by Katie Weston has taken Melbourne by storm serving up a “poignantly funny and uniquely Aussie comedy experience” (Time Out).
In the unlikely setting of an aged care home, Bloom is a story of intergenerational connection and the power of music that’s both hilarious and heartwarming. Tom Gleisner masterfully weaves a touching journey through aged care, offering hope and possibility to one of Australia’s most shameful recent failures.
With praise from both critics and audiences alike, Bloom has broken Melbourne Theatre Company’s record for the highest selling day of a new Australian work, post-opening night. The record was previously set in February with Sunday – a play centred around Heide Museum of Modern Art founders John and Sunday Reed starring Nikki Shiels.
“We are thrilled with the audience response for Bloom. From the first preview performance Melbourne audiences have been swept off their feet by Tom Gleisner and Katie Weston’s funny, yet deeply moving, and heart-warming musical,” said Artistic Director & Co-CEO Anne Louise Sarks.
“We’re unashamedly committed to commissioning, supporting and presenting new Australian work, and seeing the audience respond to Bloom confirms there is a growing audience appetite to see more home-grown stories on stage.”
“Bloom is one of five world premieres of Australian work in our Season 2023, and the enthusiasm for Australian work is clear with our top two selling shows this year being Sunday and Bloom,” said Sarks.
Bloom, the “big-hearted, home-grown musical theatre romp” (The Age) stars scene-stealing comedian Anne Edmonds alongside an ensemble cast including Frankie J. Holden, Evelyn Krape, Vidya Makan, Maria Mercedes, Eddie Muliaumaseali’i, John O’May, Christina O’Neill, Jackie Rees and Slone Sudiro.
Bloom
Playhouse – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season continues to 26 August 2023
Information and Bookings: www.mtc.com.au
Image: Vidya Makan (Ruby), Christina O’Neill (Gloria), Eddie Muliaumaseali’i (Trev) and Anne Edmonds (Mrs MacIntyre) in Bloom – photo by Pia Johnson