Culture
Musicals
★★★★
Stage
Juliet, without Romeo, will play with your heart. Get lost in the game
The plot of & Juliet unfurls as a battle of quills between Shakespeare and his wife, via the Backstreet Boys for starters. It’s a joyous, hilarious, face-palming adventure.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Latest
Turntable horror stories and Bluey goals: Lin-Manuel Miranda visits Australia
The celebrated American singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and actor is visiting Australia and has paid tribute to the Australian animated children’s series.
- by Garry Maddox
The Melburnian channelling Katy Perry and the Backstreet Boys on stage
It’s every theatre kid’s dream to star in a big stage show in their hometown and for Yashith Fernando, that long-held ambition is about to become reality.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Gentlemen still Prefer Blondes: Why the ‘feminist’ play works
Seventy years on, this tale of female friendship made famous by Marilyn Monroe has stood the test of time.
- by Lenny Ann Low
‘I can’t believe it’s me’: Meet the Australian set to play Tina Turner
How do you do justice to a living legend? That’s the million-dollar question for this Melbourne performer, but she’s up for the task.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
★★★★
Review
Aching with laughter: Hairspray is the silly fun we need right now
This new production will pull you in head-first with its comedy, music and running themes of inclusivity and tolerance.
- by John Shand
★★★★★
Arts
Mary Poppins the musical is unmissable – and practically perfect in every way
As appealing as Wicked, and with as many tricks up its sleeve as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Mary Poppins has a showstopper in nearly every scene.
- by Cameron Woodhead
The magical Mary Poppins moment that moves Sir Richard Eyre to tears
The acclaimed director made a name for himself with serious, intellectually curious projects ... and the much-loved Mary Poppins musical.
- by Richard Jinman