Running rings around himself
From the overblown pomp of political rallies to the environmental ravages of capitalism, Neil Armfield finds new themes resonating in the return of his Opera Australia production of Wagner's four-opera epic The Ring.
Stage
Recreating seismic shifts of body and planet
The floor shakes and rolls as the women struggle to stay standing while they negotiate the debris-ridden room.
Songs the main attraction in Springfield tribute
Based on the life of Dusty Springfield, this jukebox musical has its share of flaws and triumphs.
Theatre
Canberra Rep's Noises Off at Theatre 3 is a farce about a theatrical disaster
Michael Frayn's comedy presents a play-within-a-play coming apart as it goes along.
Dark tales from Eastern Europe
The Belarus Free Theatre joins forces with Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina to share stories of persecuted Russian artists in a brutal new work.
Laughs flow freely with Shaun Micallef and Francis Greenslade in buddy comedy
Casting Shaun Micallef and Francis Greenslade as the two halves of this classic comedy duo pays off.
Dance
Recreating seismic shifts of body and planet
The floor shakes and rolls as the women struggle to stay standing while they negotiate the debris-ridden room.
The Australian Ballet's Nijinsky delivers theatrical pirouette
John Neumeier's ballet Nijinsky has all the ingredients for drama and the Australian Ballet did not disappoint.
Documentary charts Aboriginal dancer's journey to Australian Ballet
Isn't it enough for Ella Havelka to succeed in an enormously taxing and competitive profession, without having to be a symbol as well?
Musicals
Phoenix Players' Spring Awakening at ANU Arts Centre has a forceful young cast
The Canberra premiere of this musical benefits from excellent performances by both its older and younger cast members.
Songs the main attraction in Springfield tribute
Based on the life of Dusty Springfield, this jukebox musical has its share of flaws and triumphs.
Spring Awakening at ANU Arts Centre is a rock musical about teen angst
Phoenix Players presents the Canberra premiere of the award-winning musical about German adolescents grappling with romance and sexuality in a repressive environment.
Opera
Running rings around himself
From the overblown pomp of political rallies to the environmental ravages of capitalism, Neil Armfield finds new themes resonating in the return of his Opera Australia production of Wagner's four-opera epic The Ring.
Boisterous production doesn't quite hit the mark
The steely voice of soprano Elena Xanthoudakis sliced through the orchestra like a freshly sharpened axe blade.
Australian opera star takes Tristan to the world
For Stuart Skelton, 2016 has been the Year of the Tristan. By the time the avuncular Sydney-born heldentenor reaches Hobart to sing in a concert performance of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, it will be his 25th performance of this lengthy and arduous role.
Comedy
Bill Bailey lets fly on 'monstrous blight' of censorship
The English stand-up comedian knows how it feels to be torn down by the tabloids, but it hasn't quite stopped him speaking his mind.
Jerry Seinfeld to tour Australia almost 20 years on
The master of observational comedy will perform Down Under for the first time in almost 20 years next August. But don't expect any cracks at Melbourne's expense.
The comedian who grew up at 50
Lawrence Mooney reflects on a year of living dangerously in his show Moonman.