I TELL YOU WHAT I THINK
First on Entertainment

Heinz Lewin, born in Wiesbaden, Germany on 22nd March 1888, was one of the many artists and composers who lives were tragically cut short by the Holocaust. In his case, the 54-year-old Jew perished in the gas chambers at Auschwitz in September 1942. Assuming a German accent and in costume, writer Zeddy Lawrence unravels his life and music with the help of gifted pianist Tomi Kalinski. Lawrence, who is Lewin’s great grandson, shares stories about Lewin’s heritage, achieve

A delicious, nightmarish hoot, Mackenzie asks what price child fame? This is a dark, camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring four original songs – bangers all – from creator Yve Blake. She says the idea for the show came to her like a fever dream. Photos by Brett Boardman It is about the dark side of child stardom, led to the well by a ruthlessly ambitious stage mum. The year is 2006. A timid 13-year-old named Mackenzie (Kimberley Hodgson),

Set in Russia, and focusing on the bourgeoisie, Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya is one of the great plays about the human condition. The tragicomedy, first published in 1897, continues to resonate. Now it has received a delightful makeover to bring the language into the present day by one of Australia’s finest playwrights, Joanna Murray-Smith. Photos by Pia Johnson The story hasn’t changed. Murray-Smith’s adaptation has made sure of that, for Chekhov is one of her literary h

A feted choreographer with 25 years’ experience, Stephanie Lake has built an enviable reputation for her creative excellence. And so it is with VISTA, in which the resident choreographer for The Australian Ballet and head of her own company presents two views of the one story. Photos by Pippa Samaya What is consistent is the sharp and then fluid movements of six striking dancers – Marni Green, Robert Tinning, Georgia Van Gils, Tyrel Dulvarie, Rachel Coulson and Hugo Poulet.

Julia Roberts received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Shelby Eatenton in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias. Written by American Robert Harling, the heartfelt story was based on his 1987 stage play, being a tribute to his sister, who tragically died. Photos by Brett Boardman Now, a highly talented cast has done a fine job reviving the laughter and the tears inherent in the moving tale. It is in the late 1980s in a beauty parlour ca

It has been tucked away for the best part of 50 years, but thankfully Victorian Opera has revived a quintessentially Australian musical about bushranger Ned Kelly. With book and lyrics by Reg Livermore AO, the story in the company's new production is compelling. Photos by Jeff Busby and Casey Horsfield It moves from the northern districts of Victoria and the formation of the Kelly gang in 1878 to Kelly’s execution at the Old Melbourne Gaol on 11th November, 1880. That ha

We are confronted by distressing imagery of natural disasters and the aftermath of war, where nothing remains but the grey shell of homes that once were. In contemporary terms, think Gaza, the Ukraine and Russia. This, on a large scale, on a big screen, begins a more intimate portrayal of the impact of devastation. A woman, Layla (Jane Montgomery-Griffiths), is being held captive in a Museum of Art and Antiquities that has been ravaged by war. Photos by Sarah Clarke Th

A dystopian fantasy set in the Amazon, it concerns the fate of a resilient 77-year-old woman. Her name is Tereza (Denise Weinberg) and she has lived her whole life in a small, industrialised town, working on the production line at a local factory. She raised her daughter, Joana (Clarissa Pinheiro) on her own and now, in turn, Joana is also a mother and working hard, with little time for Tereza. The Brazilian government is at pains to point out that it wants to recognise t

If you are looking for a sensational night out, look no further than what my wife and I experienced over four hours at Melbourne’s Skydeck and Eureka 89. It was so special. It is situated at Riverside Quay in Southbank. If you are driving in, there is a Wilson carpark literally seconds away (where you can benefit from $15 parking if you get your parking ticket validated at the Skydeck check in desk). Photos by Eugene Hyland and Alex First So, now, onto the details about t