<blockquote>
“He started up his drinking. Then they started fighting. He took it pretty badly . She took both the kids.”</blockquote>
No other songwriter can evoke the consequences of intoxicated decisions quite like Paul Kelly. Think of the marriage struggles in ‘To Her Door’, the self-loathing larrikinism in ‘King of Fools’, the slapstick globetrotting in ‘Every Fucking City&#39;, just to name a few. 
Paul recently released a mix-tape style album Drinking, one of a series of his themed records to appear over the past year. In it he draws from his unmatched discography and trove of unreleased recordings to collate a barrel of songs dedicated to the grape and the grain. Now he’s immortalising the project live for the first time with a full band, in two very special shows at the Melbourne Recital Centre for RISING. 
Although the show often explores the dark and destructive side of drinking there is much light and shade throughout. As Paul says: 
“I’m a drinker. For me it is one of the great pleasures of life. A glass of wine or two with dinner, the first beer after hard physical work or sport, a dark ale and a whisky on a cold night. The beaded bubbles winking at the brim of the glass on the surf club balcony looking out over the sea. A little buzz on. The camaraderie of family and friends. Farewells and welcomes and ceremonies.” 
So raise a glass. Or if you’ve passed up the big drink, come armed with all you know.

Paul Kelly stands on a stage singing into the mircophone. He has a guitar around his on his front hanging by the strap across his shoulders and his hands are spread wide like he is asking the crowd a question.

Paul Kelly Supporting 1

Paul Kelly stands at the front of a stage with his band behind him. He has a drink in his hand and is raising it to the audience.

Paul Kelly Supporting 2

A black and white photo of Paul Kelly singing into a microphone and playing the guitar. 

Paul Kelly Supporting 3

<ul>
<li>TICKETS | Tickets also available via Melbourne Recital Centre. </li>
<li>TRANSACTION FEE | All bookings via RISING incur a $4 transaction fee. Additional fees may apply for purchases through Melbourne Recital Centre. </li>
<li>ALLOCATED SEATING | If you have specific seating request, let us know in the notes box at checkout and our team will do their best to accommodate. </li>
<li>ADDITIONAL TICKETS | Additional tickets may be available via the <a href="https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2023/paul-kelly/" title="Paul Kelly on Melbourne Recital Centre Website">Melbourne Recital Centre website.</a></li>
</ul>

DRINKING 

Please contact the [Melbourne Recital Centre](https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/experience/access "MRC Access Page") box office for specific details about venue accessibility. MRC is fitted for hearing loops and welcome assistance animals.

Phone: 03 9699 3333  
Email: boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au  

PARKING  

There is a Wilson Parking at 2 Riverside Quay, Southbank is a 550 meter walk to the venue.  Parking is available at Wilson Parking locations found in and around the CBD. Plan your journey with online options available,[ click here](https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/) for details.  

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

Accessible car spaces are available throughout the Melbourne Arts Precinct. Currently there are spaces located at the Arts Centre Melbourne car park, on Dodds Street near the Malthouse Theatre in between St Kilda Road and Sturt Street, along Sturt Street outside Melbourne Recital Centre and along St Kilda Road.

ACCESSIBLE DROP OFF 

The safest place to pick up and drop off passengers is the Sturt Street entrance of the Centre, away from the busy intersection.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Nearest accessible train station: The nearest station is Flinders Street, located approximately 10 minutes walk from the Centre. 

Nearest accessible tram stop: The nearest tram stop is Stop 17 (Route 1), located directly outside the Centre on Sturt St. This is a platform tram stop providing level access to low floor trams, passenger shelter and protection from traffic. Melbourne Recital Centre is a short walk down Southbank Boulevard (approximately 200 metres). 

You can also take routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 or 72 and alight at Stop 16, outside the National Gallery of Victoria and walk to the Centre via Southbank Boulevard.

DISTANCE COVERED BY PARTICIPANT

Under 200m.

ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE

The Comedy Theatre can provide a ramp into one of the front doors on Exhibition Street. A member of our security or front of house staff will be able to assist you on arrival at the theatre. At the doors facing on to Exhibition Street there is a small step, which as you move away from Lonsdale Street is reduced to a small lip. Doors are usually propped open during performances. The entrance opens directly into the foyer, which is small and can become quite congested.

ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS

There are accessible toilets located on all foyer levels and backstage areas of the Centre. Please ask our venue staff for assistance in locating the one nearest to your seating or working location. 

EASY ACCESS SEATING AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

For the convenience of patrons who have restricted mobility but do not require the use of a wheelchair, Melbourne Recital Centre has identified locations within the auditorium where patrons do not need to use stairs to reach their seats. These seats are located in row U of the Stalls, row A of the Circle, and seats 11-15 of both upper wings. Accessible seating in the wings are also wider and have articulated, raising arm-rests.

Wheelchair accessible spaces are located in Stalls Row U and the Upper East Wing, all with Companion seating available. All seating and wheelchair spaces can be booked through all MRC sales channels, including through the MRC website.

LIFTS AND ESCALATORS 

Lift access is available to all foyer levels of the building and all backstage areas (except the Orchestra Pit). Escalator access is also available between Ground Level and foyer Level 1.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Melbourne Recital Centre welcomes all visitors with assistance animals (such as guide dogs) certified by a registered authority. Please inform THE Ticketing Services team, when making your booking over the phone or in person or email boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au in advance of your visit the Centre.

BRAILLE   

Key service signs in the venue are also presented in Braille.

HEARING LOOP

Patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing may access our hearing loops in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and Primrose Potter Salon. Please switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position to access this service, or request a receiver and headphones from the Front of House team. For advice about using your hearing aid at the Centre, please speak with venue staff for assistance. In Elisabeth Murdoch Hall the hearing loop is available in stalls only. The hearing loop is available throughout the Primrose Potter Salon.