Last updated: November 16, 2016

Powerful revival of an old-timer

Powerful revival of an old-timer
Graham Strahle
State Opera of South Australia wraps up a testing year with a splendid revival of Tosca.

Can’t salvage impossible melange

Can’t salvage impossible melange
Martin Buzacott
This two-performances-only, single-day season isn’t exactly reassuring for Opera Queensland.

Flatmates outshone at poker table

Flatmates outshone at poker table
CHRIS BOYD
The Odd Couple cleverly deconstructs marriage by presenting it as a fraught male-male bond.

Pitching picture visions

Pitching picture visions
JOHN McCALLUM
In Andrew Upton’s production the interactions ­between these three flawed characters are interesting.

To Vanya, with love

To Vanya, with love
PETER CRAVEN
Nadia Tass, creator of the Aussie film classic Malcolm, is relishing the opportunity to stage Chekhov.

Mirth in the message

Mirth in the message
Penny Durham
Indonesian female standup comedian Sakdiyah Ma’ruf on conservatism, burqas and the virtues of eco-terrorism.

Spotlight on treatment of rape

Spotlight on treatment of rape
VICTORIA LAURIE
The image of a 12-year-old girl lacing up her rollerskates lingers as the horrors at the heart of Project Xan unfold.

Extra garnish taints truffle

Extra garnish taints truffle
Murray Bramwell
South Australia’s State Theatre Company presents a modernised version of the master of French farce’s Tartuffe.

Wedding bells for Rockdale

Wedding bells for Rockdale
MATTHEW WESTWOOD
Sydney’s Rockdale Opera figures in the early careers of many well-known professionals.

‘Heard’ of wild horses

‘Heard’ of wild horses
MICHAELA BOLAND
Heard harnesses 30 coloured raffia horses with found objects to a soundtrack by Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts.

Making the Brand one’s own

Making the Brand one’s own
ASHLEIGH WILSON
Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith last night won the inaugural Mona Brand Award for Women Stage and Screen Writers.

You bark more than you bite

You bark more than you bite
Chris Boyd
Little of the dramatic power of the original actually makes it to the boards.

Donizetti rises again

Donizetti rises again
PETER BURCH
In the title role, Elena Xanthoudakis was compelling, effortlessly negotiating Donizetti’s challenging vocal writing.

In a farce of its own

In a farce of its own
JOHN MCCALLUM
There’s a self-awareness in the adaptation and the production ends up working as an extra layer.

Bolshoi’s steps and stumbles

Bolshoi’s steps and stumbles
Debra Craine
The Bolshoi is perceived as a snakepit of intrigue and corruption, and a new book does little to dispel that idea.

Young blood takes STC control

Young blood takes STC control
ASHLEIGH WILSON
Six years after leaving drama school, Kip Williams has been handed creative control of the Sydney Theatre Company.

Farce still reaps laughs

Farce still reaps laughs
ANDREW UPTON
Adapting A Flea in Her Ear was a balancing act: the material needs to skate close to the edge of being disgraceful.

Kip Williams to be new STC head

Kip Williams to be new STC head
Ashleigh Wilson
Sydney Theatre Company elevates Kip Williams to be its next artistic director after a period of leadership turmoil.

Darwin’s festival hits crossroads

Darwin’s festival hits crossroads
AMOS AIKMAN
Debate intensifies over how the event should be refashioned.

Visions of degradation and dreams

Visions of degradation and dreams
DEBORAH JONES
A Faint Existence is a dark work whose ­intent is absolutely clear while having an air of ineffable mystery.
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