Melbourne’s live music landscape is about to gain a new vantage point with the Melbourne Recital Centre preparing to open The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon – a 100-seat cabaret-style venue created from a previously hidden space high above its Southbank home.
Backed by a $1 million investment from the Victorian Government, matched by a further $1 million philanthropic contribution from Peter and Ruth McMullin, The Beacon represents more than the addition of another performance room. It completes a vision for the Melbourne Recital Centre first conceived more than two decades ago.
“We wanted to help Melbourne Recital Centre create more opportunities for artists and reach audiences in new ways and continue the vital role it plays within Melbourne’s musical ecology,” said Peter McMullin AM.
Designed by ARM Architecture, the original architects of the Centre, the venue occupies a space that has until now remained largely out of public view. Its transformation into an intimate 100-seat performance space brings audiences closer to artists, while its elevated position offers sweeping views across Melbourne.
“This transformational project opens up new opportunities for artists and audiences to have an experience you can’t get anywhere else,” said Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward.
“A shared experience that tells you are in Melbourne, in our iconic Arts Precinct, and Australia’s cultural capital. I thank Peter and Ruth McMullin for their generosity which has helped create this stunning venue”
The inaugural program captures the intimate scale and eclectic ambitions of The Beacon, bringing together cabaret, jazz, contemporary music, musical theatre and storytelling. Highlights include:
Meow Meow reunites with long-time collaborator Iain Grandage for a series of intimate performances, while award-winning writers Neylon & Peele join four leading Australian voices for an evening celebrating songs, stories and musical theatre.
Melbourne singer-songwriter Indy Angel brings her distinctive blend of confessional indie-pop and contemporary musical theatre to the stage. Australian jazz luminary Paul Grabowsky joins celebrated singer-songwriter Ross Wilson, bringing together two distinctive voices from the Australian music landscape.
Piano man Dr Trevor Jones presents an evening of favourite songs and stories spanning popular music, musical theatre and film, while acclaimed singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock combines her powerful voice with evocative storytelling.
Also appearing are Fem Belling and Monique diMattina, whose long-standing friendship and creative partnership promises an intimate evening of music, stories and onstage chemistry.
A defining element of the interior is a major artwork by First Nations composer and artist Dr Lou Bennett AM, developed with text by senior Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin.
ARM has translated Bennett’s original composition, Look Above, into a large-scale spectrogram wrapping the venue – bringing music, visual art and architecture together.
Together, the program establishes The Beacon as a space for artists to move between genres and performance styles, with the emphasis firmly on connection between performer and audience.
“The Beacon brings people even closer to exceptional music and extraordinary artists, in an entirely new setting,” said Melbourne Recital Centre CEO Sandra Willis.
The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon opens at the Melbourne Recital Centre in September. For more information and full program, visit: www.melbournerecital.com.au for details.
Images: The Beacon – photo by Laura Manariti | Iain Grandage and Meow Meow – courtesy of Melbourne Recital Centre