Male writers dominate Australian theatre, with Melbourne Theatre Company the exception
Australian plays written by men are much more likely to be performed in domestic theatres than those written by our female playwrights.
Stage
Important exploration of queer experience lacks refinement
This piece of verbatim theatre gives much-needed airtime to some of the less prominent letters in 'LGBTIQ'.
Boys choir's musical gifts mostly shine for Christmas
The ensemble was in fine form delivering carols and Christmas songs, though a few could have done with more oomph.
Theatre
Important exploration of queer experience lacks refinement
This piece of verbatim theatre gives much-needed airtime to some of the less prominent letters in 'LGBTIQ'.
Playwright gender parity moving slowly
Australia's mainstage theatre companies are producing more original Australian work than three years ago, but commitment to Australian female playwrights has stalled, according to a new report by the Australian Writers Guild. In The National Voice 2017, a survey of Australia's 10 largest theatre companies, next year's seasons were found to include 95 plays, of which 52 (55%) are written by an Australian playwright. This is up from 50% in 2016, but down from 63% in 2015.
Screwtape Letters is a darkly comic look at temptation
This darkly comic satire explores religious ideas through a devil's ideas about tempting a human being.
Dance
Price shines at Genee International Ballet Competition
The audience buzz after 16-year-old Joshua Price completed his solo from Le Corsaire told you instantly who was going to get the audience choice award.
Future gleams from darkness
PPY16 – Revealed
Ballet world holds its breath as injured superstar returns
American ballet superstar David Hallberg sits gently rotating his left ankle. He has, say ballet experts, perfect feet with "dolphin arches".
Musicals
Intimate two-hander with a chronological twist
Jason Robert Brown's chamber musical is an intimate two-hander with a chronological twist.
Action!: Music, dance, comedy at the Q
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.
Adaptation of cult parody Reefer Madness leaves audience on a high
The 1930s anti-drug propaganda film became a cult classic for all the wrong reasons. It translates well to the stage.
Opera
Seraphic beauty would make choirs of angels sing with joy
It is difficult to know what to commend most strongly.
Final instalment of Wagner's Ring ends in blaze of glory
It was hard to imagine things could step up any further but this last and longest of the Ring operas was also the most majestic.
Stefan Vinke astounds in third Wagner instalment
That anyone can sing Siegfried, the title role in Wagner's third Ring opera, is surprising, so challenging is the role. That anyone can sing it like Stefan Vinke is astounding.
Comedy
Amy Schumer cancels tour
Comedian Amy Schumer has cancelled her Australian stand-up tour just five days before she was due to perform in Perth.
Comedian, idiot, hoof prancer
Sam Simmons and his fight against beige is our hottest comedy export.
Stand-up comedy career adds up
Dilruk Jayasinha left the heady heights of accountancy for sweaty live comedy.