The Knowe
4 Clarkmont Rd, Sassafras 3787

Saturday 28 February 2026, 2pm
Sunday 1 March 2026, 2pm
Saturday 7 March 2026, 2pm
Sunday 8 March 2026, 2pm
Monday 9 March 2026, 2pm

Seating is unallocated.
Please advise any access needs when booking.

The Round – Studio
379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading 3131

Please advise access needs at the time of booking
as seating is allocated at this venue.

Friday 13 March 2026, 8pm
Saturday 14 March 2026, 2pm

Saturday 14 March 2026, 8pm
Sunday 15 March 2026, 2pm

The Round Studio performances
are available to purchase as part of a
2026 Subscription package

Queenscliff Town Hall
50 Learmonth St, Queenscliff 3225

Please advise access needs at the time of booking.

Sunday 22 March 2026, 2pm

Seating is unallocated.

 

Music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot

Lyrics by Arthur Wimperis

New Book by Melvyn Morrow

Directors – Naomi Tooby and Robert Ray

Musical Director – Geoffrey Urquhart

Choreographer – Robert Ray

The Edwardian era’s most successful Musical Comedy: the My Fair Lady of its day!

A London restaurateur crash lands his plane in Arcadia and is transformed from a wicked man to a guileless youth by the innocent rural idyll of the locals. Horrified by the idea of city life, the magical Arcadians travel to London to convert the miserable city-dwellers.

Premiering in 1909, The Arcadians was so delightfully entertaining that it ran for more than two years in London’s Westend. In 2010, GSOV commissioned a new book from Australian playwright, Melvyn Morrow, whose most recent hits include SHOUT! and Dusty – The Original Pop Diva. Director Robert Ray’s production premiered in Melbourne and toured to the UK, where it was hailed the hit of The International G&S Festival for its stunning settings, costumes, movement and performances.

In 2026, the creative team from the sold out season of Fledermaus! (2025), directors Robert Ray and Naomi Tooby, restage this little seen gem with fresh new talent accompanied by a live quartet, with music specially re-scored by MD Geoffrey Urquhart and new gowns from Helen Ebsworthy.

There are two opportunities to see this wonderful production in Melbourne. The first is 5 matinees in the beautiful shady garden setting of The Knowe, an historic cottage in Sassafras (28 Feb, 1, 7, 8, 9 March). Tickets for this theatrical immersion are strictly limited and this summer presentation always sells out. The second is the thoroughly modern The Round Studio (Nunawading) with matinees on Saturday and Sunday and evening shows on Friday and Saturday (14-16 March).

 

The hit of the Festival”, The International G&S Festival, Buxton (2011)

 

ARCADIANS

Sombra BRIDGETTE KELSEY
Chrysaea MARISA PANZARIN
Amaryllis STEPHANNA BETTS
Daphne AMY CARLIN
Dryope SHONA HARRIS
Astrophel NICHOLAS BEECHER
Strephon TORQUIL SYME
Damoetas RYAN JACOBS
Father Time * TBA *
Simplicitas SIMON COOPER

LONDONERS

James Smith SIMON COOPER
Jack Meadows BRUCE RAGGATT
Bobbie BRETT O’MEARA
Eileen Cavanagh EMILY CRAWFORD
Sir George Paddock  IAN LOWE
Mrs Smith HANNAH THORNE
Lady Barclay LYDIA KLIMEK
Mrs Hooten HONI WALKER
Doody * TBA *
Percy NICHOLAS BEECHER
Harry TORQUIL SYME
Reggie RYAN JACOBS
Lucy STEPHANNA BETTS
Marion AMY CARLIN
Beatrice SHONA HARRIS

 

The Knowe Venue Details

The Knowe pricing includes a welcome drink on arrival,
unlimited tea and coffee and a programme.

Additional drinks available for purchase at the bar.

The Knowe garden is open for picnics from 1pm.
There is strictly no admittance before this time.

The Knowe is an outdoor experience.
Refund conditions are available on the ticketing site
(as well as in the post-booking letter).
We provide detailed advice for your
best experience in the post-booking letter.

 

The Arcadians at The Round is part of our 2026 Subscription offer. The price of each ticket when purchased as part of a subscription: $47

Subscriptions can be purchased until 1 February 2026: Subscriptions Trybooking link

 

General Ticketing Terms and Conditions – Document Link