This classy entertainment blends the traditional circus – with jugglers, acrobats, clowns, a ringmaster – with contemporary elements including impressive animal puppetry.

Lighten Up

We don't have the tradition of the "Alan Smithee" credit in the theatre. If we did, this production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? would probably deserve one.

Hot on the heels of Gonzo at the Malthouse comes F. – a dive into the teen psyche from youth theatre company Riot Stage

Relatively Speaking

Personals stories of artists persecuted by the state, including Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot's time in a Russian jail, are told with a visceral passion.

From a new musical about Australia's first female prime minister to a three-person adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, there's plenty on offer in next year's season at the Q.

In Tom Mula's one-actor play, we get to see Ebenezer Scrooge's shot at redemption told from the perspective of the one who made it possible.

Vibrant narration, puppets, slow-mo sequences, disco dancing and onesies are part of the formula helping to draw young people into the magic of seeing a stage show.

"The safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts," says Screwtape.

Antony Sher is a haunted tree of a Lear, tangled up in uncomprehended intensities and with a jagged unlovely beauty in his mastery of the language.

A 1970s British play about 17th century witches is still relevant today when it comes to gender inequality.

Angelique Cassimatis is a star to watch even if her talent are wasted in Mack and Mabel.

Alpha Gregory's many years maintaining the high standards of the choir have been recognised by the Canberra Critics' Circle.

The stream of strong feministwork continues with Animal – a remorseless, haunting dramatic vision developed in response to violence against women.

Next week the musical satire will hit Melbourne for the first time in a two-week run at Chapel Off Chapel.

The Shadow Box's genteel approach to death has been surpassed by tougher fare, but a strong cast and crew elevate a dated work.

THEATRE RUST AND BONE ★★★½ La Mama Courthouse Until November 27

Carriageworks receives more visitors, and at a fraction of the cost, than the major cultural institutions as it reveals 2017 artistic program.

Frank Ferrante has spent three decades keeping the mischievous spirit of Marxism alive.

Kenneth Branagh and Greta Scacchi

Michael Frayn's comedy presents a play-within-a-play coming apart as it goes along.

The Belarus Free Theatre joins forces with Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina to share stories of persecuted Russian artists in a brutal new work.

Casting Shaun Micallef​ and Francis Greenslade as the two halves of this classic comedy duo pays off.