Arts

The streaming video on demand (SVOD) market in Australia is already teeming with both paid and free services. But another heavy hitter has now laid down a challenge to the global behemoth of Netflix and looks set to shake things up. The House of Mouse is now officially bringing Disney+ to Australia from 19 November…

Sydney Festival has announced it’s first show of 2020 with Black Cockatoo, a bold new collaboration between screenwriter Geoffrey Atherden and festival artistic director Wesley Enoch. Premiereing at the festival, Black Cockatoo tells the story of legendary cricketer Johnny Mullagh, bringing together Sydney Festival and Ensemble Theatre to explore the tale of Australia’s first ever…

Our first look at the rehearsals for Chicago the musical playing at the Capitol Theatre this August and starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Roxie Hart, Alinta Chidzey as Velma Kelly and Casey Donovan as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton’

Following a successful run earlier this year, Let’s Get It On: The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye is returning to Melbourne next week for a brief but anticipated encore run. Playing the main man in the production, Lillian Altman caught up with Bert LaBonte to talk about playing the iconic musician. Marvin Gaye lived…

This Canadian musical kicked off in Ontario back in 2013 before finally making its way to Broadway in 2017. Now, in 2019, the town of Gander has landed in Melbourne for its Australian premiere at the Comedy Theatre. Come From Away takes place in the week following the 9/11 attacks, where 38 planes and almost…

One of the most celebrated art events on Sydney’s cultural calendar, international art fair Sydney Contemporary has this year announced a new curated strain, running alongside their much anticipated Opening Night, Performance Contemporary, and Kid Contemporary programs. New program NEXT will focus on cutting edge contemporary art, produced by emerging artists under the age of…

We’ve got the exclusive premier of the new album of Barren Spinsters. They are a two-piece, but sound like there’s a few more musicians joining the party. Brendon Houlahan takes up duties on guitars and vocals, with Matt Tennant on drums. They play 70’s rock with their own modern thrashy interperation. These guys are here for a good…

From the moment the Flesh Coloured Panties crew (consisting of Samantha Andrew, Erin Pattison, Annabel Larcombe and a Portable Closet) take to the stage with a rendition of “Salad with the Girls, But in a Gay Way”, the scene is set for an hour of deliciously crude and wildly inventive cabaret. With a focus on bisexuality, a…

One day, while shopping for school supplies, a little girl is kidnapped by a troll. She spends the next thirty years trapped in the troll’s house, gradually assimilating to his lifestyle. She cooks, cleans, and is careful to never look outside at the world beyond. Isolated and convinced of her own brokenness, only a giantess…

Brisbane’s The Sui Ensemble have brought immersive theatre to MELT, with the cabaret club inspired La Silhouette. Bringing tales from Brisbane’s queer history to life, audience members participate as club patrons, with (almost) entirely free reign to move and interact as they like throughout the show’s two hour running time. Will you accept owner George’s invitation…

Commander Ruby Slippers and her band of queer warriors are here and they’re ready to slay! Featuring acts from across Australia, I LOVE GAY is a cabaret style celebration of all the colours of the LGBTQ+ rainbow, and it’s damn near impossible not to get swept away in the fun. Produced by Slippers and Brisbane’s…

Over 160 internationally renowned writers and thinkers will descend upon the River City in early September, for the 57th Brisbane Writers Festival. From the 5th to the 8th of September, workshops and panels will take over several venues across Brisbane. As well as the usual mix of family friendly, YA, and adult events, there will…

Brisbane creative collective The Boxties (that’s “box-tees” not “box-ties”) have returned to the QPAC stage, with A Net of Souls: Songs of Dislocation and Common Ground. The ten piece chamber ensemble have pulled together a collection of songs of change, upheaval, and a longing for community. Industry, love, and war all come forward as disruptions,…

Tender Napalm is a dynamic play by English storyteller Philip Ridley bought to life in the Holden Street Theatre by Scuti Productions. Under the razor-sharp direction of Rachael Williams,  Man and Woman (played brilliantly by Mark Healy and Carol Lawton) act out a veritable storybook of fantastic tales. The set is simple, stark and effective….

PARLOUR, a powerful photograph that examines the impact of colonialisation on identity, was chosen from from over 800 entries, and scores its creator, interdisciplinary artist Megan Evans, a $10,000 prize. The judging panel, made up of ACMI’s Katrina Sedgwick, ACCA’s Hannah Presley and VCA’s Raafat Ishak, selected Evans’ work from a shortlist of 33 works, spread…

A word of advice about Things I Know to be True – do not read any reviews about this play. Just see it. Immediately, if not sooner. Do not risk any twist, turn or roundabout being ruined for you. Having said that, here’s my thoughts. I went into this play with no expectations, having heard…

The 2019 Barunga Festival wrapped up last Sunday, and it was a jam-packed 3 days of music, arts, sport and culture. Approximately 4000 people travel to the festival at Barunga, which is 80 km south-east of Katherine. Away from the music stages there was plenty going on. Sporting teams from all over the Northern Territory…

This week has seen Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter and musician Angharad Drake drop her new single “Start Again”, her first since the release of her debut album Ghost in 2017, and since becoming a mother.  On “Start Again”, Drake has returned to a more stripped back style of making music, erring towards the intimate and natural….

After a huge arena tour back in 2017, composer Hans Zimmer will return to our shores for three massive shows later this year. With stunning visuals, an expansive lightshow, and, of course, iconic movie music, Hans Zimmer Live will wow audiences in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne this coming October. “Performing a concert series likeHans Zimmer…

Next year, the king of documentaries will be back on Australian shores for the first time following his sold out 2016 tour. Louis Without Limits will see the BAFTA winning investigative reporter explore some of the stories that made his career, in a series of shows with Australia’s own Julia Zemiro. Theroux says: “It was…

For the 2019 edition of Sydney Contemporary, more than 85 galleries from across the country and around the globe will come together at Carriageworks for four days of Australasia’s largest and most diverse art fair. Five different continents will be represented, showcasing over 300 artists from more than 30 different countries, including France, Japan, New…

An impending wedding often brings out the worst in people. Familial and societal expectations collide with capitalism at the extreme of feminine expression. The wedding industrial complex magnifies every insecurity and extracts large sums from its subjects. Where women on the larger end of the body spectrum deal with constant reminders and callouts regarding their…

Anywhere Festival is in full swing in the River City and while theatre fans are hopping from one curious venue to another, Jane from H.R. is hosting her first orgy at the Metropolitan Motor Inn in Brisbane’s Spring Hill. Presented by Lady Beard & Co., Gumtree Orgy is both wickedly funny and heart-achingly timely, as…

Improv inspired by audience submitted real news stories, performed at the iconic ABC building in South Bank? Small wonder that Real Live Fake News‘ one night only performance has already sold out, and has a wait list for tickets! We caught up with performer and producer Ben Keane ahead of Friday night’s show, to talk…

After thirty seven years, Barnum: The Circus Musical – which debuted on Broadway in 1980 – has returned to Australia for a strictly limited season. This astounding blend of musical theatre and circus acts lights up Melbourne’s iconic Comedy Theatre and fills it with laughs, awe, and magic for a night of pure fun. Set…

Performance artist and teacher Dorothy May has a one night only engagement in Brisbane this weekend, as part of May’s annual Anywhere Festival. Ahead of her show at events-space-cum-circus-school The Sideshow, located in Brisbane’s West End, we caught up with her for a quick chat! First of all, what’s I Can Fly about? This show…

Global phenomenon Bingo Loco is heading back to our shores in just a few short weeks, bringing its hectic blend of conga lines, lip sync battles, and wild prizes to venues all over Australia. Buckle up kids, because this ain’t your granny’s bingo night! The wacky brainchild of three childhood friends, Bingo Loco began life…

Celebrated symphonic video game concert Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy will head to Melbourne this August for a single magical performance. Featuring music from numerous Final Fantasy games by long-time series composers Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura, with music direction by Grammy-winning artist and conductor Arnie Roth, this will be a really special night…

The Omega Ensemble are Sydney’s Chamber music all-stars. In July, the group will feature in a world premiere. Young composer, Nico Muhly has composed, American Masters, especially for this troupe. The work looks poised to draw heavily on his inspirations like Philip Glass and Steve Reich. The Ensemble held a fundraiser for this new work…

Contemporary act-plus-orchestra shows aren’t a new phenomenon in rock, with arena-size bands churning out orchestral projects since the 80’s; an attempt at legitimising corporate rock, re-selling already existing albums and making mums proud. With dance music reaching maturity, EDM acts and DJs are beginning to jump on the bandwagon as their audiences age and new…