Before I Forget presented by Melbourne Theatre Company tickets
About Before I Forget
Badtjala/Butchulla/Jagera theatre maker Kamarra Bell-Wykes (A Wake – A Woke Mob, 37 ) draws loosely on real events to craft this poignant tribute to motherhood, family and culture. Told with wicked humour and deep emotional truth, Before I Forget celebrates the strength of an ancestral line steered by a revered and accomplished matriarch determined to hold on to her legacy as her memory slips away. This compelling new work is a testimony to healing, forgiveness and the unconditional love of family.
Faith Wells (Roxanne McDonald), a prominent First Nations linguist, activist and academic, has spent her life being fiercely independent – until now. As Faith’s dementia escalates, her daughter Karma (Melodie Reynolds-Diarra) finds herself in the unwinnable position of relocating Faith into aged care and selling her home to fund it. Joined by her daughter, Hope (Tyallah Bullock), who is dealing with her own personal struggles, Karma faces the unstoppable force of her mother, who refuses to go quietly.
As boxes are packed and memories picked over, the women are forced to navigate the fraying edges of their lineage as they reckon with the loss not just of a mother, but a cultural leader.
Know before you go
Forum Night: Mon 2nd Nov (after show) | Audio Described: Sat 14th Nov, 2pm & Tue 17th Nov, 6.30pm | Tactile Tour: Sat 14th Nov, 2pm (Tactile tour commences at 1pm) | Open & Closed Captioning: Sat 21st Nov, 2pm
Categories
Start date
24th October, 2026
End date
28th November, 2026
Venue
Fairfax Studio | Arts Centre Melbourne
Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available. Assistance Animals are welcome in all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne and water bowls are available on request.
Directions
BY TRAIN: The closest train station is Flinders Street Station. Exit the station onto Swanston Street, turn your back on the city and walk across Princes Bridge.
BY TRAM: The tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This stop is number 14 – “Arts Precinct"
BY BICYCLE: Bicycle lanes run north and south along St Kilda Road. On-street bicycle hoops are available outside Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building (under the Spire)
BY CAR: Arts Centre Melbourne's paid undercover car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is extremely limited street parking.
More information about Before I Forget
Writer and Director: Kamarra Bell-Wykes
Assistant Director: Carly Sheppard
Set and Costume Designer: Sophie Woodward
Lighting Designer: Katie Sfetkidis
Composer and Sound Designer: Small Sound
Cast: Roxanne McDonald, Melodie Reynolds-Diarra, Tyallah Bullock, Edward Valent.
Frequently asked questions
Which theatre is Before I Forget at?
Before I Forget is at Southbank's Fairfax Studio | Arts Centre Melbourne, which is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank, 3006.
How much are tickets for Before I Forget?
Before I Forget tickets start at $80.
How do you get tickets for Before I Forget?
Check the top of this page for current availability on Before I Forget tickets on TodayTix.
How long is Before I Forget on for?
Tickets for Before I Forget are available through 28 November 2026 — check the calendar for the latest availability.
Is Before I Forget accessible?
The venue is wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available. Assistance Animals are welcome in all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne and water bowls are available on request.