Melbourne Theatre Company throws open its doors in 2019 with Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, starring powerhouse British actor Miriam Margolyes in the titular role. Directed by Dean Bryant and featuring Daniel Frederiksen and James Millar as the two Alan Bennetts in the play, many audiences will be familiar with the story from the 2015 film starring Maggie Smith. This comedy explores the true relationship between the playwright and a woman who decides to park her van outside his house for 15 years.

The Lady in the Van‘s Miriam Margolyes . Photo © Helen Maybanks

It’s followed by the world premiere of Australian playwright Stephen Sewell’s Arbus & West. This new play imagines what might have happened when photographer Diane Arbus, famous for her gritty, wide-ranging photographs, took the ultra-glam Mae West’s portrait in 1964. Staged by Associate Director Sarah Goodes, Melita Jurisic plays West, with Diana Glenn as Arbus.

Arbus & West‘s Melita Jurisic and Diana Glenn. Photo © Justin Ridler

Iain Sinclair wowed the critics last year with his production of A View from the...