Stage
Comedy
Sydney Comedy Festival 2016: Language no barrier for Korean comedy troupe the Ongals
![Korean comedy troupe the Ongals is part of this year's Sydney Comedy Festival.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/19/7358882/Thumbnail1008218997goa2y1image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go9mr9.png1461057974766.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ANDREW TAYLOR Korean comedy troupe the Ongals transcend language barriers with their brand of physical humour.
All India Bakchod, rising stars of Indian stand-up, come to Melbourne
![Indian comics All India Bakchod, come to Melbourne.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/18/7355228/Thumbnail1008178400go8rsoimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go8rfk.png1460946873694.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Bailey Some of the most fascinating acts at the recent Melbourne International Comedy Festival offered glimpses into cultures where stand-up is still in its infancy, from Malaysia's Kuah Jenhan to Russia's Igor Meerson to the founder of the form in Pakistan (and new Melbourne resident) Sami Shah.
Zoe Coombs Marr wins top Comedy Festival Award
![And the winner is...:Comedian Zoe Coombs Marr has won the 2016 Barry Award at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/17/7353295/Thumbnail1008155865go8a0oimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go8a1l.png1460867264755.jpg-90x60.jpg)
CRAIG PLATT Comedian Zoe Coombs Marr has won the 2016 Melbourne Comedy Festival Barry Award.
Canberra student Lauren Duong wins Class Clowns at Melbourne International Comedy Festival
![Canberra student Lauren Duong has won the Class Clowns grand final at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/16/7351856/Thumbnail1008139982go7xtfimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go7xse.png1460792888090.jpg-90x60.jpg)
JIL HOGAN Tales of feeling like a 'fake Asian' and the difficulties of learning to speak Chinese have earned Lauren Duong the title of funniest teen comedy act in the country.
Sammy J and Randy have scandal planned for the 2016 Sydney Comedy Festival
![<i>Sammy J & Randy Land</i> is part of the Sydney Comedy Festival.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/14/7347930/Thumbnail1007787445go0kruimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go0drp.png1460631550621.jpg-90x60.jpg)
LENNY ANN LOW Sammy J and Randy are opening a theme park. But first they have to break up.
Dance
Keir Choreographic Award leaps into discussion about the future of dance
![Inaugural Keir winner and now judge, Atlanta Eke.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/18/7355210/Thumbnail1008177383zv7s5image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go8qnb.png1460946176874.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PHILIPPA HAWKER "Awards are a little bit like executions in the 18th century. They bring in an audience," declared one of the first judges for the Keir Choreographic Award.
Corps de ballet to choreographer: Australian Ballet duo create for Symphony in C
![Australian Ballet choreographers Richard House and Alice Topp in one of the rehearsal rooms in the Sydney Opera House.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/12/7342017/Thumbnail1007974424go4cq6image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go4e1k.png1460541332545.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ELISSA BLAKE "I've only got a few more years of dancing left in this old bod so I would absolutely love to have a future in choreography," says 31-year-old Australian Ballet dancer Alice Topp. Her work is part of Symphony in C.
Review: James Batchelor's FACES at Courtyard Studio in Canberra is a typically challenging work
![FACES is performed by James Batchelor, Chloe Chignell and Luigi Vescio.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/08/7333321/Thumbnail1007834556go1e84image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go1e4c.png1460075695191.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Michelle Potter FACES is James Batchelor's comment on the effects of war, inspired by letters written by his great-grandfather during World War I. Like much of his work, it is highly confrontational.
Ballerina Leanne Benjamin happy to be acknowledged in Australia at last
![Leanne Benjamin.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/05/7325955/Thumbnail1007710899gnyfkfimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.gnyqpf.png1459829706349.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ELISSA BLAKE Leanne Benjamin , the Royal Ballet's longest-serving principal dancer has returned home to receive her Member of the Order of Australia.
Malthouse Theatre's I Am A Miracle snares five gongs at Green Room Awards
![Bert Labonte in Malthouse Theatre's I Am a Miracle.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/03/21/7291709/Thumbnail1007164976gihrp6image.related.thumbnail.320x214.gnn1gw.png1458522731786.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Bailey In the theatre companies awards division, the biggest winner was Malthouse Theatre's I Am a Miracle.
Musicals
Catch Me If You Can cleared for take-off at Canberra's Jet Flight Simulator
![Alexander Clubb, left, as Frank Abagnale jnr and Gerard Ninnes as Carl Hanratty.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/20/7360736/Thumbnail1008193306goaovnimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go92xm.png1461126762122.jpg-90x60.jpg)
RON CERABONA 1:56pm Frank Abagnale jnr was an airline pilot, a lawyer, a surgeon, and a millionaire – all before he turned 21. How he did it is the subject of the Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can, which will have its Canberra premiere in May.
Hamilton just added a Pulitzer to its many ovations
![Hamilton is coming to Australia.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/19/7358293/Thumbnail1008230922go0723image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go9vyi.png1461039951599.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Nelson Pressley The Broadway juggernaut Hamilton earned the Pulitzer Prize drama award Monday, as was widely expected.
Jaz Flowers and Erin Clare reunite on that crazy little musical We Will Rock You
![Erin Clare, left, and Jaz Flowers, two of the cast from a new musical, We Will Rock You, directed by Ben Elton in Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/11/7339610/Thumbnail1007933939go3jcximage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go3isz.png1460631656562.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ELISSA BLAKE Putting together the classic Queen songs that power rock musical We Will Rock You was an electrifying experience for Jaz Flowers.
Review: Canberra production of The Little Mermaid deserves full holiday houses
![Sebastian, played by Fraser Findlay, and Ariel, played by Mikayla Williams.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/11/7339094/Thumbnail1007923063go0884image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go3aev.png1460421004140.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Alanna Maclean THEATRE REVIEW Alanna Maclean
Georgy Girl: the Seekers musical review: Good singing can't save bad writing
![Pippa Grandison plays Judith Durham in Georgy Girl: the Seekers musical](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/07/7330787/Thumbnail1007788053gnxtdaimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go0e8l.png1460037464025.jpg-90x60.jpg)
BERNARD ZUEL If you get the singing right the work of making a Seekers musical should be half-done. Unfortunately, the jokes and script were also half-done.
Opera
Verdi rarity Luisa Miller headlines Opera Australia's Melbourne autumn season
![Dalibor Jenis (Miller), Raymond Aceto (Walter), Nicole Car (Luisa) and Eva Kong (Laura) in Opera Australia's Luisa Miller (Sydney cast).](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/11/7339460/Thumbnail1007927949go3gb6image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go3e6l.png1460388889970.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Michael Shmith Opera Australia's Melbourne autumn season features three operas.
Jessica Pratt returns to Lucia di Lammermoor in Victorian Opera debut
![Jessica Pratt in Lucia di Lammermoor.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/04/7323451/Thumbnail1007663912gnxqkvimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.gnxqg8.png1459739928412.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Bailey Despite starring in more than 20 productions of the opera, Jessica Pratt has yet to perform the role in Australia, so her local debut in Victorian Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor is much anticipated.
Meet the Megadeth, battleaxe-loving star of Turandot on Sydney Harbour
![Turandot lead Tenor Riccardo Massi who sings Nessun Dorma for Opera Sydney
14th March 2016
Photo: Steven Siewert](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/03/25/7304133/th-992394040-90x60.jpg)
ELISSA BLAKE From being an axe-wielding extra in Gangs of New York to singing one of opera's most famous arias, Nessum Dorma, on Sydney Harbour, tenor Riccardo Massi takes it all in his very long stride.
Singer Greta Bradman will perform in Canberra on her My Hero tour
![Singer Greta Bradman recorded her new album at her own cost and then licensed it to Decca.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/01/7317861/Thumbnail1007360603gnr91uimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.gnr8ez.png1459478518908.jpg-90x60.jpg)
RON CERABONA Greta Bradman will perform in Canberra as part of her 'My Hero' concert tour.
Opera Australia battles cockatoos, wind and rain to get Turandot on stage
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Mrs Macquarie's Chair on Sydney Harbour. S Handa Opera unveils the set for Turandot which features a giant 9m high and 60m long dragon incorporating the Great Wall of China and an 18m high pagoda. March 14, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michele Mossop/Fairfax Media)](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/03/15/7281500/Thumbnail1006988905gniyosimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.gnj9m1.png1458033199155.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ELISSA BLAKE This time last year, Sydney's cockatoos were already making a meal of the colossal head of Nefertiti, the scenic centerpiece of the Handa Opera on the Harbour production of Verdi's Aida.
Theatre
Gravity-defying physical theatre troupe Dislocate fly in for Victorian tour
![Performers from physical theatre troupe Dislocate.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/18/7355422/Thumbnail1008180588go8rt1image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go8t4c.png1460950707964.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Bailey Tracing the course of six generations, this work touches on euthanasia and suicide alongside rosier of young love and lifelong romance.
Megan Hilty brings Broadway razzle dazzle to Arts Centre Melbourne
![Broadway diva Megan Hilty.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/18/7355351/Thumbnail1008179805go8sgyimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go8sil.png1460949118980.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Bailey It's becoming something of a tradition for Arts Centre Melbourne to bring out a Broadway luminary each year.
Theatre review: Romeo and Juliet
![Actors Alex Williams (Romeo), Kelly Paterniti (Juliet) and Angie Milliken (Lady Capulet) in full costume. Photo Nick Moir 8 feb 2016](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/17/7353957/Thumbnail1008151879go86wwimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go86yv.png1460884918015.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Reviewed by Owen RIchardson With its turbulent youth and pesky old folks, its brawls and parties and earworm lines, Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's populism at its most brilliant.
Canberra Street Theatre's performance of all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets to bring us closer to the Bard
![Tobias Cole performs Shakespeare: The Sonnets Out Loud, at the Street Theatre](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/19/7357403/Thumbnail1007795226go5288image.related.thumbnail.320x214.go0jru.png1461024678704.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Peter Wilkins Four hundred years after his death, an ambitious performance of all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets brings us closer to the Bard.
Canberra drama teacher Peter Wilkins has been running amateur acting workshops for 27 years
![Peter Wilkins has been running acting workshops in Canberra for more than quarter of a century.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160420083110im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2016/04/12/7341357/Thumbnail1007943403go46hbimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.go3q3v.png1460426739015.jpg-90x60.jpg)
SALLY PRYOR Over nearly three decades Peter Wilkins has seen hundreds of happy students leave his amateur drama workshops feeling fulfilled.