Author: Kara Bertoncini

Theatre Review: The Production Company’s Jesus Christ Superstar will leave you with mixed emotions (State Theatre, Melbourne to 13th August)

We all know the story about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the undeniable suffering he endured in his last hours. Well, this musical – Jesus Christ Superstar – chronicles the days leading up to Jesus’ last, and does so through song and dance. With Andrew Lloyd Webber as the almighty creator of this work, it’s understandable…

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Interview: Josh Lefers, the man who can literally do it all, is now a children’s book author too

You’ll never meet a guy quite like Josh Lefers. There’s something about him that is intimidating, yet somewhat calming in the way his creativity flows. The Melbourne entrepreneur can now add another bow to his belt; a children’s book author with his first titled How to Hypnotise a Droid. Given his complete and utter love for…

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Interview: Stephanie Lake talks about all things dance in the lead up to her show Pile of Bones

Coming up in a couple of weeks is a brand new work by Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake. Pile of Bones is a visceral and eccentric choreographic and audio-visual exploration of the intricacies of our closest relationships. Before we see this work come to life, we had a chat with Lake about the need to self-fund in the…

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Hotel Review: Travelodge Hobart stands tall in Tasmania’s seaside city

Location is everything when visiting a city for a quick weekend getaway. What I look for is convenience, ambience and comfortability. In the heart of Hobart’s gorgeous town centre towers a dusty-red brick building. In Melbourne, I actually live next door to the Travelodge in Southbank so it’s pretty fitting that I’ve had the chance…

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Theatre Review: Noises Off is a hot mess in the best possible way (Performances in Melbourne until August 12th)

If you feel like your current workout regime is just not doing it for you anymore, and you need a little something extra, a little bit of inspiration to get that summer body back on track, might I suggest a night out at the theatre. Noises Off is quite literally the funniest show you will ever see,…

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We get an inside look at the Melbourne Zoo’s National Geographic Photo Ark Exhibition

The National Geographic Photo Ark Exhibition has made its way to Australia and can I just say, what an absolute privilege it is to have it nestled at our own Melbourne Zoo. The Nat Geo family has always been a huge inspiration to a lot of people in not only educating them about our wondrous…

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Interview: Actress Emily Goddard talks about her role in the hilarious Noises Off, ahead of its Melbourne premiere

If ever there was a time to escape reality and just have a good old belly laugh, then you may just want to head to the theatre and see what has been described as the best farce EVER written. Noises Off cast member Emily Goddard graciously took some time out of busy schedule to chat about this…

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Interview: Peter Lord and David Sproxton of Aardman Animations open about the future of animation and their legacy

There’s no doubt you’ve seen the work of Aardman Animations at some point in your lives. Some of you grew up with it, some of you are just discovering it now and some of you are sharing it with your own kids and reminiscing on the good old days. ACMI has done it once again;…

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Review: Circus Oz shows us what it really means to be Australian in electrifying new show Model Citizens (Performances until July 16th)

I’ve been to many a circus show over the years where death defying acts are the norm however, this brand new concept show from Circus Oz has me feeling mighty proud of the creativity and ingenuity of our Australian creatives. Set under the Big Top along Birrarung Marr, the show begins with host Mitch Jones…

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Theatre Review: Revolt. She said. Revolt again. jolts you with hard hitting social commentary (Performances in Melbourne until July 9th)

By definition, revolt means to “take violent action against an established government or ruler”, so the fact it is in the title of the show holds great weight in the tellings of this story. This original work by Alice Birch explores the notion of what being a woman means in the 21st century, and how our…

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Review: Live from The Old Vic starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead hits Australian cinemas

Get yourself ready for an evening of belly laughs and deep concentration because absurdism is back, and it is better than ever! Tom Stoppard‘s groundbreaking 20th century absurdist play Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and thanks to the National Theatre Live, you are able to see it fresh from its…

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My Fair Lady has most nominations as the 2017 Helpmann Award nominees are announced

It is the night we honour and celebrate Australia’s vibrant live performance industry, and recognise distinguished achievements within musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentation for children, regional touring and cabaret. Live Performance Australia Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said, “This year has been a remarkable year for live…

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Theatre Review: MTC’s production of Macbeth is a Hollywood action blockbuster on stage (Performances until July 15th)

If having Jai Courtney in the title role wasn’t enough to draw theatregoers in, let it be known that this modern-day reimagining of Shakespeare‘s Macbeth is like watching a Hollywood blockbuster come to life on stage. Right from the get-go, it’s as if we are immersed into the world of Mad Max with its rough guts…

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Review: Sierra Boggess wows Melbourne audiences and shows us what a true Broadway star is

Back in February I was privileged to interview Broadway star Sierra Boggess, and I remember getting off the phone feeling every chirpier than I normally am – and that’s a lot! I connected with her in many ways but one attribute of hers which really came through was her outlook on the world. She is…

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Review: Dianne Reeves closes the Melbourne International Jazz Festival as only she knows how

There’s nothing quite like ending your week with something a little sultry, a little bit tantalising, and a little bit jazzy. On Sunday night, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival wrapped things up for another year and who better to do that than the one and only, Dianne Reeves. The Grammy Award winning jazz artist has ventured to…

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Comedy Review: Bridget Everett and Murray Hill cross the line at their Melbourne live show

I’ve been to A LOT of live theatre and comedy shows, but none like what I experienced last night. Alarmingly, I wasn’t too familiar with Bridget Everett or Murray Hill‘s work, so I was walking in blind, but I enjoyed the fact they had worked alongside the likes of Amy Schumer and Dita Von Teese. Talk…

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Review: Elvis: The Wonder of You – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (Performances to 10th June)

Elvis Presley is the OG hunk of burning love, and last night’s Melbourne performance of Elvis – The Wonder of You was the closest thing anyone would ever get to seeing the man himself live. Last week I interviewed Elvis’s best friend Jerry Schilling who emcees the show, and something he said really stood out to me. He said that this show would…

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Review: Todrick Hall finishes Straight Outta Oz world tour on a high in Melbourne, Australia

YouTube star Todrick Hall finally made it to our shores as part of his Straight Outta Oz tour; a show that will defy any preconceived idea you had about a musical or a concert. The evening began with a series of Hall’s videos projected onto a large screen showing his most famous videos dating right…

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Interview: Elvis’s best friend Jerry Schilling talks about the Elvis Live: The Wonder of You tour and the man himself

In one way or another, Elvis has been a part of everyone’s musical exploration. He is an artist who has transcended generations with his groundbreaking songs, and it’s incredibly hard to think he’s not with us anymore. His music does live on however, and with Elvis Live: The Wonder of You touring the country at this…

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Interview: Geraldine Hakewill talks about her upcoming role as Lady Macbeth and how Shakespeare’s work continues to translate in 2017

It’s one of Shakepeare‘s most famous tragedies and the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) is bringing Macbeth to audiences with a modern day touch. Starring none other than Aussie actor Jai Courtney in the title role and Geraldine Hakewill as Lady Macbeth, this is sure to be an outstanding season of Australian theatre. Macbeth opens next week and the cast…

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The St Kilda Film Festival kicks off an action packed 2017 program

The 34th annual St Kilda Film Festival has officially commenced for another year, and the program is nothing short of exciting. Incredibly, the festival is Australia’s longest running short film festival ever, and for opening night to take place at the iconic and newly refurbished Palais Theatre, well, what could be more historic than that. Last…

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Actors Kellan Lutz, Teagan Croft and Director Shane Abbess talk about their new sci-fi film The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One

A gripping new sci-fi film is about to hit our screens thanks to the genius work of director and screenwriter Shane Abbess. The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One follows the emotional struggles and warfare of a world in peril. With a strong Aussie cast shining through and Hollywood superstar Kellan Lutz in a leading role, there are plenty…

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Having a Deep and Meaningful with Todrick Hall ahead of Straight Outta Oz

Todrick Hall has one of the most impressive CVs going around. You may know him from his YouTube channel, Season 9 of American Idol, perhaps you saw him on Broadway as Lola in Kinky Boots or you’ve heard the hype surrounding his international touring show Straight Outta Oz. I could honestly talk to him for hours but I jam packed…

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Theatre Review: Cabaret opening night an audio disaster but slapstick splendour (performances until May 20th)

The show must go on, and that is exactly what happened after director Gale Edwards stopped the show right before Sally Bowles‘ iconic number, “Cabaret”. Of all night’s for there to be serious mic/audio issues of course it had to be opening night, right?! That’s the beauty of live theatre. In what was a marvellous show of team…

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Full list of the 2017 TV Week Logie Award Winners

Samuel Johnson took out the 2017 TV Week Gold Logie for Best Personality on Australia Television for his portrayal of music veteran Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum. It was all going so well until the moment was overshadowed by Meldrum himself who took to the mic in a mighty drunken state. At the night’s pivotal moment, let’s just say we kept it…

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Video: We hit the red carpet of the 59th Annual TV Week Logie Awards

Kara Bertoncini hits the 2017 Logies Red Carpet to ask the stars which Aussie TV show they’d love a remake of, and to ask the hard hitting questions like which is better; Home and Away or Neighbours, beards or no beards, Smarties or M&Ms? There’s never a dull moment on the red carpet with Kara!…

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MICF Review: 3 Course Comedy is a foodies paradise (Performances until April 22nd)

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a late night comedy show on a weeknight and strolling the streets of Melbourne with fellow comedy goers. 3 Course Comedy enticed me by their title first and foremost, mostly because I’m a foodie and I love a good degustation. Plus, why not support up and coming comedians! Each night the line-up changes…

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Dance Review: Lord of the Flies – Arts Centre Melbourne (Performances until April 9th)

At the sudden reverberation of a thud-like sound, the State Theatre was pitch black. And so began Matthew Bourne‘s incomparable adaptation of Lord of the Flies. For those who have never read the book, seen the play or the movie, then this theatre experience will leave you feeling triumphant and proud, for what you will witness is…

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MICF Review: Cath Styles in Girl’s Night (Performances until April 9th)

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned girl’s night out, so when this show came onto my radar I had to rally up my bestie and make a night of it. The idea of this show is that each night, three different female comedians will take to the stage with Cath Styles as the MC. Now,…

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MICF Review: Joel Creasey: Poser (Performances until April 23rd)

I am no stranger to the man that is Joel Creasey and with a career as successful as his, you’re a downright nuffy if you haven’t heard of him! I saw his show at last year’s MICF and looooved it, but there is something about this year’s that is a whole other level. Yes, Creasey will…

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