The Spare Room
Adapted from Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel, The Spare Room tells the story of Helen who lovingly prepares her spare room for her friend Nicola.
- VIC
- Oct 2026
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About
Nicola is coming to Melbourne for three weeks to receive treatment she believes will cure her cancer.
From the moment Nicola staggers off the plane, Helen becomes her nurse, her guardian angel and her stony judge, as they negotiate an unmapped path through Nicola’s bizarre therapy.
Composer Jane Hammond and Librettist Therèsa Borg tenderly realise the rage, pained love and friendship at the essence of Garner’s award-winning book and let the story sing.
Depicting the friendship at its centre are sopranos Natalie Jones and Antoinette Halloran, who return to Victorian Opera as Helen and Nicola. Sarah Goodes makes her operatic debut as the Director of this production, conducted by Phoebe Briggs.
Heartening, harrowing and darkly funny, The Spare Room makes its world premiere as a moving new Australian opera.
Venue
Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004
Arts Centre Melbourne brings together several performance spaces beside the Yarra River, including Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building. Beneath the Spire, the Theatres Building houses the 2,000-seat Ian Potter State Theatre, the 884-seat Playhouse and the intimate Fairfax Studio, presenting theatre, ballet, opera, music and more.
Getting there
Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop outside at Arts Precinct, Stop 14.
Train: Flinders Street Station is the closest station; Town Hall Station connects to it by an underground walkway. From Swanston Street, cross Princes Bridge towards the venue.
Car: Arts Centre Melbourne’s undercover car park is open 24 hours. Precinct works can affect surrounding traffic, so allow extra travel time.
Accessibility
All levels of the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall are wheelchair accessible by lift, with wheelchair spaces subject to availability and accessible toilets across both buildings. Major venues have assistive hearing systems, and Companion Cards are accepted for ticketed events. Accessible seats can be booked online or by calling 1300 182 183; contact the venue in advance if transferring from a wheelchair.
Access arrangements can change, so please confirm with the venue before you go.
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