Poignant image inspires play

The Sydney premiere of The Trouble With Harry in the Mardi Gras theatre program revisits the sensational story of Eugenia Falleni, a woman who identified as a man in the 1920s.

Bearded and dangerous, French Canadian Cirque Alfonse present Barbu

In 2014, the Herald declared Sydney had reached "peak beard"; the big-time facial hair fashion had crested. This French Canadian circus didn't get the memo.

Queer theatre – why we still need it

Shows about cyber sex, marriage equality and gender issues ... Mardi Gras' arts offerings are more diverse than ever.

The hottest stage tickets of 2017

Sydney stages are about to host a procession of blockbusting musicals, hit overseas plays and radical takes on the classics.

British play BU21 looks at life, death and the new normal

British play BU21 takes its name from the flight number of a fictional passenger jet struck by a surface-to-air missile.

Brandis inspires new office-based comedy

Former arts minister George Brandis and his savage funding cuts inspires new comic play at Griffin Theatre Company.

Hayes Theatre's Cabaret puts new twist on lead character

If you're chasing the role of Cliff Bradshaw in the musical Cabaret, a more than passing resemblance to Michael York, the co-star of the classic 1972 movie, can make a casting director sit up and pay attention.

UK show casts light on male mental health

Men have wept and quit their jobs after experiencing a new show.

Williamson writing Murdoch mini-series

• EXCLUSIVE

The great Australian playwright has a movie as well as a television drama on the boil in the US.