The Forest

Book Tickets

UMAC acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work. We pay respect to their Elders past and present, and their enduring traditions of knowledge sharing, performing and storytelling on this land.

Stay up to date

Get updates on the latest news, events, special offers and more. By subscribing you consent to UMAC’s Privacy Collection Notice.

cast profile image

Actors name

Chars name

bio

UMAC and RISING present

THE FOREST

Lucy Guerin Inc’s hallucinatory dance work ventures deep into the sentient heart of the forest.

4 Jun, 2026 - 7 Jun, 2026

Union Theatre , Arts and Cultural Building

Book Tickets
When
4 Jun, 2026 7 Jun, 2026
Where

Union Theatre
Arts and Cultural Building

The University of Melbourne
15 Monash Road, Parkville VIC 3010
Get Directions

Download the access pack

Lucy Guerin Inc returns to RISING with the premiere of a hallucinatory dance piece. A winding trail into the sentient heart of the forest to decipher its ongoing hold on the human imagination.

The soft crunch of moist soil. The twitch of unseen creatures. The glimmer of leaves in the moonlight. This premiere dance work from renowned contemporary choreographer Lucy Guerin pursues a dark trail to explore our place in the natural world. 

Our deep connection to trees has existed throughout history, together with the symbolism of the forest as a vast, unknown labyrinth, populated with unsettling encounters with the non-human. Once considered boundless, but now increasingly under threat, forests have become fragile, contested ecosystems with an uncertain future. The Forest leads us deeper into the thicket of the human subconscious, where myths, folk tales and eco-horror manifest.

The Forest is part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, curated and hosted by RISING.

Tickets

Tickets

$39 - $59

RISING booking fees may apply

Package Offer: UMAC Dance Double

See Into the Woods and The Forest for $75, available now via rising.melbourne.

Duration and Lockout

Approximately 70 minutes, without an interval. Please note, there is only one latecomer entry point approximately five minutes after the show commences, followed by a complete lockout.

Content Warnings

This production contains theatrical haze and moving/flashing lights and is recommended for patrons aged 12 years and over.

Accessibility
  • Accessible toilet available

  • Infrared Hearing Assist System

  • Companion tickets available

  • Wheelchair accessible

  • Registered assistance animals welcome

This project was supported by LGI’s Commissioning Circle and would not have been possible without the generous support of the late Chloe Munro AO and WXYZ Studios.

The development of this project was supported by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., RISING, Perth Festival and Adelaide Festival; and by University of Melbourne Arts and Culture (UMAC).

Lucy Guerin Inc is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body; by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; and by the City of Melbourne.

Cast & Creatives

Lucy Guerin with the dancers

Choreography

Amber McCartney, Geoffrey Watson, Michelle Heaven, Oliver Savariego, Sebastian Geilings, Tayla Gartner, Tra Mi Dinh

Dancers

Paul Lim

Lighting Design

Eugyeene Teh

Set & Costume Design

Matthias Schack-Arnott

Composition & Sound Design

Eugyeene Teh & Simon Burgin

Video Design

Adena Jacobs

Dramaturg

Tom Brayshaw, Nate Evers

Production Manager

Estelle Conley, Freya Dark McGrath

Producer

Ally Harvey, Kylie McRae

Executive Producer

Coming Soon

Dance, RISING 2026 , Guild Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Into the Woods

04 Jun, 2026 - 7 Jun, 2026

A visceral new work by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

17 Jun, 2026 - 19 Jun, 2026

Back to Back Theatre returns to Melbourne to celebrate 15 years of their most iconic work.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ned Kelly: The Musical

24 Jul, 2026 - 25 Jul, 2026

Following an acclaimed season at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat, Victorian Opera is bringing its hit production of Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical to Melbourne.

Find out more

Dance, RISING 2026 , Guild Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Into the Woods

04 Jun, 2026 - 7 Jun, 2026

A visceral new work by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

17 Jun, 2026 - 19 Jun, 2026

Back to Back Theatre returns to Melbourne to celebrate 15 years of their most iconic work.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ned Kelly: The Musical

24 Jul, 2026 - 25 Jul, 2026

Following an acclaimed season at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat, Victorian Opera is bringing its hit production of Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical to Melbourne.

Find out more

See all upcoming events

Lucy Guerin Inc returns to RISING with the premiere of a hallucinatory dance piece. A winding trail into the sentient heart of the forest to decipher its ongoing hold on the human imagination.

The soft crunch of moist soil. The twitch of unseen creatures. The glimmer of leaves in the moonlight. This premiere dance work from renowned contemporary choreographer Lucy Guerin pursues a dark trail to explore our place in the natural world. 

Our deep connection to trees has existed throughout history, together with the symbolism of the forest as a vast, unknown labyrinth, populated with unsettling encounters with the non-human. Once considered boundless, but now increasingly under threat, forests have become fragile, contested ecosystems with an uncertain future. The Forest leads us deeper into the thicket of the human subconscious, where myths, folk tales and eco-horror manifest.

The Forest is part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, curated and hosted by RISING.

Cast & Creatives

Lucy Guerin with the dancers

Choreography

Amber McCartney, Geoffrey Watson, Michelle Heaven, Oliver Savariego, Sebastian Geilings, Tayla Gartner, Tra Mi Dinh

Dancers

Paul Lim

Lighting Design

Eugyeene Teh

Set & Costume Design

Matthias Schack-Arnott

Composition & Sound Design

Eugyeene Teh & Simon Burgin

Video Design

Adena Jacobs

Dramaturg

Tom Brayshaw, Nate Evers

Production Manager

Estelle Conley, Freya Dark McGrath

Producer

Ally Harvey, Kylie McRae

Executive Producer

Coming Soon

Dance, RISING 2026 , Guild Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Into the Woods

04 Jun, 2026 - 7 Jun, 2026

A visceral new work by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

17 Jun, 2026 - 19 Jun, 2026

Back to Back Theatre returns to Melbourne to celebrate 15 years of their most iconic work.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ned Kelly: The Musical

24 Jul, 2026 - 25 Jul, 2026

Following an acclaimed season at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat, Victorian Opera is bringing its hit production of Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical to Melbourne.

Find out more

Dance, RISING 2026 , Guild Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Into the Woods

04 Jun, 2026 - 7 Jun, 2026

A visceral new work by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

17 Jun, 2026 - 19 Jun, 2026

Back to Back Theatre returns to Melbourne to celebrate 15 years of their most iconic work.

Find out more

Theatre , Union Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building

Ned Kelly: The Musical

24 Jul, 2026 - 25 Jul, 2026

Following an acclaimed season at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat, Victorian Opera is bringing its hit production of Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical to Melbourne.

Find out more

See all upcoming events