Review
Two powerful performances in this Streetcar make it a bare-knuckle fight
In this MTC production Nikki Shiels plays a Blanche DuBois who isn’t mad – her Blanche is quite fun, witty, and as likely to self-deprecate as self-dramatise.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Barney Zwartz
Latest
Perth’s army of Grease fans will be hopelessly devoted to this slick show
Grease the Musical features so many beloved hits there’s barely a moment to catch your breath between one high and the next, and it reminds us of the importance of one’s gang during the crucial teen years.
- by Mark Naglazas
★★★★½
What’s on
This feast for the eyes is one of the best dance works you’ll see this year
Our reviewers give their verdict on the latest shows around town, including Chicago and gigs from Pond, Bangarra Dance Theatre. Opera Australia and 5 Seconds of Summer’s Luke Hemmings.
- by John Shand, James Jennings, Millie Muroi, Chantal Nguyen and Peter McCallum
How this brilliant musical was produced from scratch in five days
What happens at Australia’s musical theatre festival? Young people hone their craft, stars revel in the virtuosic lyrics and storytellers gather.
- by John Shand
The show all musical theatre lovers should see at least once arrives in Perth
Everyone onstage seems to relish channelling the rebellious energy of the downtrodden artistic demimonde, who live and love on their terms and stand ready to stick it to the man.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Beauty and horror collide in this famous exploration of ‘madness’
One of opera’s most famous ‘mad scenes’ is on show in Melbourne Opera’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
- by Bridget Davies, Cameron Woodhead, Tony Way and Andrew Fuhrmann
A smile so hideous it inspired the Joker: The Grinning Man comes to Melbourne
Eight years after becoming a huge cult hit in the West End, the musical The Grinning Man is heading Down Under.
- by Will Cox
★★★★½
What’s on
Who would have thought a cost of living crisis play could be so funny?
Our reviewers give their verdict on acts all over town from the No Pay, No Way, Carmen, Chris Isaak and Grease.
- by John Shand, Peter McCallum, Harriet Cunningham, Chantal Nguyen and Shamim Razavi
★★★★★
Melbourne live reviews
He was playing the ‘wrong’ instrument – but nailed the concert anyway
Listeners were dazzled with the dizzying accuracy of Vikingur Olafsson’s fast hand-crossing, which was made far more perilous on a modern piano.
- by Tony Way and Cameron Woodhead
Move over David Williamson, we have a new five-star footy play
This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes a thrilling play about footy and racism; the Jonas Brothers’ play Rod Laver Arena on first-ever Australian tour, Fred again..’s instant arena tour; and two comedies: one about two super-Karens meeting for their weekly lunch, and another about two young men who have to deal with a sick cow.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Marcus Teague and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
Wicked’s extravagance is a sight to behold in this return to Oz
After nine years, the fanfare and pomp of Broadway blockbuster Wicked is back in Melbourne.
- by Sonia Nair