The new Melbourne Theatre Company's (MTC) theatre for performing arts has opened on Southbank Boulevard in the city's cultural precinct, in Victoria, Australia.

Designed by Ashton Raggatt McDougall architects, the theatre includes a 500-seat venue – called the Sumner Theatre – a 150-seat studio for small-scale productions, two foyer areas and a box office. A 100-seat bar and bistro, created by Chris Connell Design, will open in March. The project is a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government, which contributed $14.5m (£6.5m, 7.3m euro, US$9.2m) and $35m (£15.7m, 17.6m euro, US$22.3m) respectively.

The new larger venues will add to the company's facilities collection, which already includes the 850-seat Arts Centre's Playhouse and Fairfax Studio with 350 seats. Details:mtc.com.au