Review
★★★★
Arts
Streamed theatre rarely cuts it – but what if you remove the visual aspect?
One company has hit on a novel way to save a theatre production from COVID-19 oblivion.
- by John Shand
Latest
★★½
Arts
A novel approach to a classic shows us a far-removed Australia
This staged production of My Brilliant Career adds Miles Franklin herself as a character.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★½
Arts
Caustic satire takes aim at useless incels
Hydra, a new play set in an imagined near future, is a gothic miniature that offers a grim solution to misogyny.
- by Andrew Fuhrmann
★★½
Arts
A savage, affecting King Lear hamstrung by savage cuts
We’re at a stage where a woman playing King Lear seems appropriate, even unremarkable. But this show suffers from heavy edits to Shakespeare’s text.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★
Performing arts
Teen actors take fresh and defiantly playful look at The Little Mermaid
Created with a cast of teenagers, including some transgender performers, the show is a free-wheeling critique of the figure of the mermaid in popular culture.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★★
Musicals
A (temporary?) thaw allows Frozen its dazzling opening
Pandemic cares melted away at this world-class winter wonderland musical, thanks to stellar production values and flawless cast.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★★
Arts
Integrity, style and heart fuse in a theatrical dance about exclusion
For over a decade, Rawcus Ensemble has been quietly redefining the possible for artists with disabilities.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★★½
Performing arts
Grungy, visceral theatre shows us heroic young women
Melbourne’s indy theatres have reopened with two plays that are animated by the rebelliousness of youth and yield terrific performances.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★½
Arts
Delicately, powerfully, introducing children to Holocaust history
Review: Singing Swallows, a new play at Theatre Works, is immaculately considered theatre.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★
Arts
Clever conceit can’t hide friendly ghost
Ensemble Theatre’s latest production is engaging but could amp up the creepiness
- by John Shand
★★★★½
Samuel Beckett
With the lead actress buried on stage, this is a show you’d be mad to miss
Veteran soap star Belinda Giblin has been ideally cast in Samuel Beckett’s absurd classic, Happy Days.
- by John Shand