During Festivals, we transform the back screening room at Theory Bar (Ground Floor, 19-23 Meyers Place) into a theatre space, and book it with amazing performances.

Due to its small stage size and intimate nature, it’s ideal for solo or duo shows.

<aside> 🪑 Room Configuration Seating: Up to 35 chairs Stage: Low stage(2m W x 1.25m D x 100mm H) Backstage/Wings: ❌

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<aside> ✅ Technical Facilities *Stereo ***PA: ✅ Programmable DMX Lights: ✅ ****Standard Definition Projector & Screen:✅

Other details: Microphones and stands (2 max), 12-channel multicore for sending signals to and from tech desk.

Please note that our lighting rig is sufficiently complex that a Qlab Pro licence is required in order to control it. You are welcome to use our tech computer which has this software installed.

If you’d like to use your own computer and can arrange your own licence (you can rent one by the day) – please let us know as early as possible.

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<aside> ♿ Wheelchair Accessibility Venue Access: ✅

Toilet Access: ✅

This ground floor venue is fully accessible, including an accessible toilet

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<aside> 📅 Available Days

• Wednesdays
• Thursdays
• Fridays
• Saturdays
• Sundays

Please check the relevant application form for specific dates and the number of shows on offer

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<aside> ⏰ Available Times

• 5:45pm
• 7:00pm
• 8:15pm
• 9:30pm
• 10:45pm

All shows have a maximum run time of 55 minutes, and start one hour earlier on Sundays.

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<aside> 👉 You Provide

• Lighting and sound technician
• The show! </aside>

<aside> ✅ We Provide

• Front-of-house staff
• Access to the technical facilities described above
• Complimentary Technical Access To The Space
  • 3-hour technical induction and rehearsal (the week of your show)
  • A venue rep will be on hand to assist with lighting queries during the first hour of the induction
  • Additional venue / technical rep time may be available – charged on an hourly basis
• A modest amount of shared storage space
• Plus advertising/exposure through TIC's:
  • Collaboration on Instagram posts and shared content, mailing list, etc. with over 10k reach – please contact us to discuss in the lead up to the show
  • Physical venue signage </aside>

<aside> 🎟️ Ticketing Facilities

As Theory Bar’s website does not have a ticket booking service, any online ticket bookings for this venue must be sold via an independent provider (Trybooking, Red61, Melbourne Fringe, etc.) and are not advertised through the Improv Conspiracy or Theory Bar website

Tickets will also be available at our venue for in-person purchase before the show.

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<aside> 💰 Venue Hire Fees – Minimums and Box Office Split

We do not require any upfront costs for reserving the venue as long as a contract is signed. After your show’s season, we will charge a box office split, with a minimum fee due regardless of sales.

If your average ticket price – including concession/group discounts, before any applicable inside fees – is at least $25, you will be eligible for our best possible box office split of 30/70 (venue and producer).

If you elect to charge less for tickets, your split may be adjusted as far as 40/60 (venue and producer). The specific formula for this will be spelled out in your final contract.

The minimum due is $125 per performance. Please note that should a performance take place on a public holiday, there is a 15% surcharge to account for increased venue staffing costs. Please note that any cancelled performances still count towards your minimum.

The final fee will be the higher of your minimum fee, and your box office split.

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<aside> 🤔 Potential Downsides

• While much better than it used to be, there can be moderate sound bleed coming into the performance space from the front bar
  • We mitigate this by only playing “theatre-friendly” playlists at reasonable volumes in the front bar while shows are on, applying acoustic foam and various soundproofing materials to the inside of the performance space, and encouraging punters to respect the show in progress
  • You can mitigate this by using a microphone to amplify your show’s content
• It is not possible to run a “relaxed show” in the space
  • There are several things we can do to make the space as relaxed as possible, however as the bar will be operating outside during shows, we cannot guarantee a quiet space if audience members need a break. </aside>