Horrors of Tasmania's 'female factory' revealed in raw, funny one-woman show
Emily Goddard's ancestor, who was shipped to a 'hell hole' in Hobart, inspired her latest play.
Stage
Hook, line and sinker, Big Fish reels you in
A condensed version of a Broadway extravaganza gets its audience to do some of the lifting.
The Bodyguard stalker an internet troll
Whitney Houston's pre-internet blockbuster film The Bodyguard now feels dated. The musical about to open in Sydney has updated it to include social media stalking.
Theatre
A horror classic done with seriousness and style
The strength is in the seriousness with which it approaches the story and in the visuals.
Hilarious farce full of madness and mayhem
The West End hit is a triumph of physical stamina and comic timing.
The Rabble interrogate Joan of Arc's authentic voice beyond the male gaze
Joan review: The Rabble
Dance
Hills Hoists, thongs and tutus: a rare Aussie story on stage
Graeme Murphy's Nutcracker remains one of the few attempts to tell Australian stories in ballet form.
Dancers' athleticism displayed but Faster lacks variety
In the Australian Ballet's latest triple bill, Faster, diversity is missing.
Toned and terrific: Ballet gets a sporty makeover
''Faster'' is a modern ballet that plays out like an MGM musical with a Hitchcockian soundtrack.
Musicals
The Bodyguard stalker an internet troll
Whitney Houston's pre-internet blockbuster film The Bodyguard now feels dated. The musical about to open in Sydney has updated it to include social media stalking.
A musical Sesame Street aimed at adults
Supa Productions brings this blend of puppets and people to the stage and warns it might be best to leave the children at home.
Lauper's thigh-high show lacks soul
Movie reboot musical has the gloss and gleam but loses something in translation
Opera
Fifties Fledermaus a comic change of direction for Canberra Opera
The Johann Strauss operetta makes for a lighter night in the theatre.
The Princess and the Pea review: Fast, furious, farcical and musically rewarding
Austrian-born Ernst Toch's 1927 opera, in the hands of Victorian Opera, updates Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale to the digital age.
Shipshape rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan classic
Melbourne Opera delivers a fine production of HMS Pinafore but it's almost too energetic for its own good.
Comedy
Gadsby ends stand-up career on a high with coveted prize
It's a case of third time's the charm for the Melbourne-based comedian.
How Jason Byrne turned to memoir and children's books
Writing a book was a very different proposition for the Irish comedian Jason Byrne. But he knuckled down to produce his memoir – and he didn't need any props.
Sick, delirious and self-deprecating, but not dead yet
Success has not stemmed New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo's self-deprecating style.