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Claudia (Emily Farrell) and Simon (Lochie Laffin-Vines) are a seemingly happily married young couple.   Simon works in finance, while Claudia’s career thus far has been in aged care, although she would like to move into teaching young children.   Simon is up for promotion. Claudia is excited for him and supportive. She is busily planning their next holiday.  Photos by Mina Shafer And then the penny drops. Simon’s boss (played by Tony Adams) doesn’t come through with his eleva

Mayhem abounds in this blood soaked, high octane, horror action comedy. As a young adult, Asia Reeves and her child sister, Maria are first seen in the pouring rain, having escaped from their violent father who imprisoned them.   They enter a convenience store, where Asia tells Maria not to be scared, as they attempt to find their way to New York City.   But moments later, their father is back in their lives, having tracked them down.   Asia shoots him and flees.   Their fath

Living in Paris, American/French psychiatrist Lilian Steiner’s (Jodie) life is spiralling.   A patient she has seen for eight years, Pierre Hallan ( Noam Morgensztern ), who originally came to see her to quit smoking, abruptly cancels all future appointments.   Pierre claims one visit to a hypnotist cured what Steiner couldn’t and he maintains that he is 40,000 Euros out of pocket because of her.  That is his calculation of the cost of his visits to Steiner, plus that of ciga

A dystopian future is the setting for BottledSnail’s production of Urinetown.   Twenty years of drought has taken its toll.   Citizens must pay to use public facilities – operated by a ruthless private organisation known as Urine Good Company – to pee.   Anyone who breaks the law is sent to their demise in a mysterious place known as Urinetown, from which none have returned. Photos by Tongue & Groove Entertainment Amenity #9 is overseen by Penelope Pennywise, who doesn’t want

First up, an admission. My job in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre on 28 th April, 1996, in which 35 people were murdered and 20 wounded, was to try to come up with strategies to restore tourism to the area.   I had visited the UNESCO world heritage listed site – Australia’s largest and most intact convict settlement – before the tragedy to learn about its history.   Beyond the Neck, which refers to the narrow strip of land with water on both sides that connects the m

A pathological hatred and disdain for women is brought into sharp focus in a searing production from Vixen Theatre Company.   Frankly, what is depicted on screen behind the actors disgusted me.   And what makes it more appalling is that every word of it is true.  Photos by Steven Mitchell Wright Welcome to the domain of incels (involuntary celibates) and “manosphere” influencers with millions upon millions of followers.   All the wording shown in the show has been sourced fro

The force of nature that was the late, great Chrissy Amphlett is alive and well in the form of Sheridan Harbridge (who wrote, performs in and co-created this show).   No, she isn’t and could never be Amphlett (25 th October, 1959 – 21 st April, 2013).   But she pays her the ultimate tribute in this masterful narrative concert that brings back the power and passion of the artist extraordinaire, who didn’t run with the pack.  Photos by Brett Boardman The pout, the fringe, the

F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic 1925 novel is reimagined for the stage in a fusion of ballet, tap and jazz.   BIG Live is a welcome new voice in the performing arts – a ballet company where tradition meets innovation.   Photos by Sam Tabone Alongside narration of the tragic Gatsby storyline is a stunning score, bold choreography, striking sets and costuming, and some seriously strong dancing.   The cast features alumni of the Mariinsky Theatre from St Petersburg, English Nation

How to create a compelling world premiere program with life sustaining plants at its epicentre. That was the challenge.   Combining the supreme talents of The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre for a fourth time was a masterstroke … for the result is astounding.  Photos by Kate Longley The creative excellence is next level. The surprises jaw dropping. The execution sublime.   FLORA is powerful, thrilling and energising.   This is modern ballet and dance at its fines