Matthew Lutton to step down as Artistic Director of Malthouse Theatre

After a transformative nine years as Artistic Director, Matthew Lutton will step down from his role at Malthouse Theatre at the end of March 2025. He will still direct two major productions as part of the 2025 season – The Birds and Troy.

Under Lutton’s leadership, Malthouse Theatre has cemented its place as one of Australia’s most innovative cultural institutions — where classic texts are interpreted anew, visionary worlds are built, and storytelling pushes the boundaries of imagination. His leadership has defined Malthouse as a place where theatrical possibilities are constantly reimagined, and audiences electrified.

Reflecting on his tenure, Lutton stated:

It has been a spectacular honour to serve as Artistic Director of Malthouse Theatre. Over the past decade, we’ve seen Malthouse emerge stronger than ever, particularly as audiences have returned in full force post-pandemic. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and excited for the next artistic leader to build on this momentum.

My own journey now turns toward pursuing new creative ventures in international theatre and opera. To our many supporters, collaborators, and loyal audience members—thank you for championing Malthouse over the years and cheering us on. You have been the heartbeat of our theatre, inspiring us to reimagine what is next on Australian stages.

Lutton’s legacy at Malthouse is distinguished by his commitment to artistic excellence, exemplified through collaborations with international giants such as the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh, the Lyric Hammersmith in London, and the Barbican, amplifying the voices of Australian creatives on the global stage. Equally groundbreaking was his work in immersive theatre, including the production Because the Night.

Conceived as a COVID response to enable audiences to safely attend theatre, it garnered the largest attendance in the company’s history. His bold reinvigoration of Australian works such as Night on Bald Mountain, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Away, and Cloudstreet further cemented his contribution to the art form

A fierce advocate for boundary-pushing storytelling, Lutton championed both emerging and established voices, commissioning works from local talents including John Harvey, Nakkiah Lui, Declan Greene, and Maxine Beneba Clarke, and fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations with organisations like Stephanie Lake Company and Victorian Opera.

Malthouse Chair, Jacob Varghese Stated:

Matthew’s contribution to Malthouse Theatre has been profound,” . “His vision and courage have cemented the company as a leader in the Australian arts landscape. Malthouse Theatre has always been a bold and responsive force, renowned for audacious programming and as a nexus for Australian and international artistic collaboration. As we prepare for this next chapter, we reaffirm our commitment to redefining theatrical boundaries, engaging audiences with thought-provoking works, and pushing the art form forward with a future-focused vision.

The search for Lutton’s successor will commence in February.