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A sensational, largely musical tribute to Grey Gardens, House of Rot resonates … and how, from the first note. Grey Gardens was a derelict 14-room mansion in the wealthy neighbourhood of East Hampton in New York. It was populated by two reclusive, upper-class women – a mother and daughter. Photos by Gianna Rizzo Their names were Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale (known as Big Edie: 1895 –1977) and Edith Bouvier Beale (who went by the moniker Little Edie: 1917 – 2002). Respectiv

A finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, American playwright Sarah Delappe has crafted a portrait of female adolescence through a girls’ soccer team. The story unfolds as a group of 16 and 17-year-olds has regular work out sessions to prepare for upcoming games. As the nine youngsters warm up, their discussions are many, varied and far ranging. Photos by Steven Mitchell Wright They include global trouble spots, including genocide in Cambodia under Pol Pot, menst

A prolific, iconic writer and feminist who lived life on her terms, Miles Franklin (14th October, 1879 – 19th September, 1954) is best known for her auspicious debut, My Brilliant Career. Her legacy lives on through her published works and with the announcement of the annual Miles Franklin Literary Award to a novel of literary merit on Australian life. In quick succession, we have seen two original musical works about Franklin’s life and times, her hopes and dreams. Phot

Traditional toys versus hand-held, battery-operated and plug in devices and the rise of technology. The battle lines have been drawn in this latest instalment of one of the most successful movie franchises in history*. Toy Story 5 is jam-packed with drama and humour and fun around the idea of connection between children via play. Behind it is the harsh reality that from a young age today’s kids bury their heads in tablets rather than living in a world of make believe.

This is a surprising crime thriller about a medically challenged piano tuner cum safe cracker. Niki White (Leo Woodall) has a severe medical condition that means he can’t tolerate loud noises. He was a musical prodigy when his hearing was compromised at age 7. Now he has to wear inner ear aids with headphones on top just to deal with everyday life. After two years of therapy, he still has perfect pitch, but he no longer plays the piano. Instead, he is “apprentice” to H

Featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi, Primavera is a deeply moving story set in Venice in the 18th century. It concerns the passion of a gifted 20-year-old orphan and her acclaimed teacher. Cecilia (Tecla Insolia) was abandoned by her mother in the Ospedale della Pietà orphanage and she grew up there, adhering to its strict protocols. It is a place where gifted young women are musically trained to perform for the elite of Venetian society. Their talents though are hi

While growing up, I was captivated by subversive stories in a classical cartoon segment known as Fractured Fairy Tales. That aired as part of the TV series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. It turned familiar yarns about the likes of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and many others on their head. Photos by Joel Devereux All these years later, one of my all-time favourite theatre companies, Shake & Stir, has done the same, now featuring real flesh an

Nearly five decades ago, it was a close encounter with a UFO that resonated with audiences (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977). Five years on, it was all about helping a friendly alien return home (ET: the Extra-Terrestrial, 1982). Next, an alien invasion threatened the future of humanity (War of the Worlds, 2005). And now director Steven Spielberg (who wrote this with David Koepp – Jurassic Park) is at it again, this time with humans treating aliens abominably.

The Australian Ballet’s glorious retelling of the classic Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet is colourful, powerful and passionate. This is a step back in time to wealthy, medieval Verona, where rivalries explode and danger lurks. The innocence of first love is shattered through the antipathy of the Montagues and the Capulets. Photos by Daniel Boud The interpretation we witness is that of choreographer John Cranko (who passed away in 1973). The thoughts behind it have