Poetic play tackles human trafficking in India
A new play bridges the gulf between Mumbai and Sydney to reflect on the world we all live in.
Stage
George Orwell's 1984 adapted with shattering clarity
This production of 1984 remains as nerve-rending and brutally effective as it was two years ago.
Anger, sadness and despair: musical still resonates
An all-star new production of Alex Harding's gay musical reaffirms its place in the canon of Australian queer theatre.
Theatre
The Book of Exodus Part I: one of those rare shows you wish were longer
400 words to come Sunday AM
Darkly comic look at current state of news
Jonathan Biggins' whirlwind of a play stirs up plenty of thought.
New wave of First Nations storytellers and satirists
A new wave of First Nations performers storming the barriers of discrimination and telling their story in new ways.
Dance
One dancer's story told beautifully through movement
This Nutcracker moves fluidly through time, as an elderly Clara remembers her youth as a young ballerina in Russia, the heartbreak of love lost on a battlefield, and her eventual, bewildered arrival in Australia.
Kage translates beats into pixels as bodies collide in Out of Earshot
Sound is visualised through the dancers' movements, which range from lingering embraces to tapping and daggy dancing.
Pushing boundaries of contemporary dance
Sydney Dance Company continues to amaze with its with its passion and power.
Musicals
Sierra's path less travelled to Broadway stardom
The path to Broadway stardom is well-trodden.
Anger, sadness and despair: musical still resonates
An all-star new production of Alex Harding's gay musical reaffirms its place in the canon of Australian queer theatre.
Marina Prior tackles classic musical Hello, Dolly! with gusto and brilliance
Hello, Dolly! is a great example of The Production Company's ethos of prioritising performing talent over bells and whistles.
Opera
Adventurous production rewarded with triumph
Economic exigency has dictated shorter and less adventurous OA Melbourne seasons recently, but this co-production with Covent Garden was refreshing.
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci review: Superbly rendered penny dreadful opera
Shining performances and some interesting artistic choices make this a splendid double bill from Opera Australia. ★★★★½
Tiny theatre draws big names
The tiny 115-seat Hayes Theatre is getting a big reputation for staging musicals with top talent. Coming soon to the theatre: opera diva Emma Matthews, and musical theatre stars David Campbell and Toby Francis.
Comedy
Kathy Griffin apologises after Trump stunt backfires
Kathy Griffin's latest stunt has backfired spectacularly, drawing ire from progressives and conservatives alike.
Minhaj's harshest burns at the White House journos' dinner
US President Donald Trump wasn't there to roast in person at the White House correspondents' dinner, but that didn't stop the evening's entertainer, Hasan Minhaj.
Performers try critics' skin on for size
What could be more provocative than prancing around naked on stage? Talking back to critics.