The New Fortune Theatre is an open air, communal space where performances take place during the day and night. The audience faces each other so there are views from all angles and you can see live emotions playing out, not just the action on stage. The theatre hosts a number of performances throughout the year, including some by visiting companies.

Located in the heart of UWA’s Arts building, the space has been a prime research and teaching tool for the School of Humanities since it opened with a production of Hamlet in 1964, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.

As the only permanent reconstruction of the Fortune Playhouse in the world, the New Fortune Theatre is the only place in Australia, and one of only a few in the world, where you can experience Elizabethan plays as they were intended to be performed.

Performances take place during the day and the audience faces each other so you can see live emotions playing out, not just the action on stage. The space has also inspired new writing and contemporary performances, including works by celebrated playwright Dorothy Hewett.

Thespians aren't the only performers to tread the boards of the New Fortune Theatre, it’s also home to UWA’s famous peacocks and peahens. Come along on a quiet afternoon and you'll see them perching around the balustrades or calling from the stage.