Arts

Photo by Jon Green The Cockatoos is the latest work from writer and director Andrew Hale of Happy Dagger Theatre. Adapted from Nobel Prize winning author Patrick White’s short story The Cockatoos follows the goings on a suburban street in Australia; where under the surface of respectability there are plenty of secrets and dark goings…

Having spent the last few weeks indulging in movies as part of his character research, actor Kane Alexander, is certain he and his cast members will bring to life one of Broadway’s most successful shows. Life Like Company have taken a risk bringing City of Angels to Australian audiences, but given the way Kane has…

There are few who seem to understand the concept of the coffee table book as well as photographer Simon Griffiths, who today releases Boat – a “celebration of the humble vessel that symbolises escape, trade and travel” – as the press release aptly puts it. The beautifully designed book is one you can judge by…

Benjamin & Me is the latest work from writer, director, performer and purveyor of the ukulele, Mark Storen. It’s also the debut show for his new production company Whiskey + Boots. Benjamin & Me is quite simply a feat of storytelling and imagination. A show that is quirky, a little bit silly, but packed full…

Yesterday in Perth, I got to have breakfast with musician, activist and former government minister Peter Garrett as part of a tour to launch his newly released autobiography Big Blue Sky. OK so technically there was a room full of other people there as well… but still… Staged by WAM in partnership with independent bookstore…

Red Stitch is one of Melbourne’s leading theatre company’s and the fact I had not yet seen one of their shows is unacceptable. Well, I must say, the standard has now been set. Jurassica was my first taste of what sort of work this company can produce and it blew me away. There was really…

Orlando, based on Virgina Woolf’s novel of the same name, is a whimsical, magical tale of time and transformation. It follows the nobleman Orlando in the court of Elizabeth I who awakes transformed as a woman and begins a glorious journey of time travel in her way to find her true self. We caught up…

Irish actor Robert Sheehan (pictured in the middle above) – best known for his work in the first two seasons of the series Misfits is currently appearing on stage is London as Richard III in Shakespeare’s The Wars of the Roses trilogy. While they were still in dress rehearsals, I caught up with the talented…

RENT is just one of those musicals that everyone knows. Perhaps it’s due to the success of the film, or perhaps just because it’s story and characters are so resonating, but it has clearly become a mainstay staple in musical theatre 101s. For whatever reason it is also a musical that I had actually never…

With Halloween just around the corner what better way to get into the spooky spirit then a night at Jurassic Lounge – Halloween special! Run amuck and discover your inner child as the Australian Museum opens it’s doors after hours once more. Event Director Mathieu Ravier gives us a sneak peek of what’s in store….

To me going to the ballet is more than watching a dance performance, it’s about the whole experience of the evening. The dancing is important of course, but there is this feeling- the excited little girls bouncing eagerly around their mothers and the groups of girlfriends (both young and old) all dressed up and walking…

The Chaser boys will host The 16th Inaugural Chaser Lecture on Monday the 9th November at Sydney’s Town Hall. Delivered by one of the world’s most respected and influential political comedians, Egyptian Bassem Youssef, the evening promises to be immensely entertaining complete with a formal dinner and some after-dinner conversation. The Chaser’s Julian Morrow will…

Disney’s critically acclaimed Broadway musical Aladdin will be making its way to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in August next year. The show features the much loved music of the original film, as well as all new songs written especially for the stage. It opened on Broadway in 2014 and quickly became one of the most popular…

Following overwhelming demand, actor and comedian Kevin Hart has announced two extra shows for the Australian leg of his international ‘What Now?’ tour in Sydney and Melbourne. Click through for the new dates, and how to purchase tickets! TOUR DATES MELBOURNE Thursday 4th February | Rod Laver Arena | NEW SHOW Friday 5th February |…

The Australian Fashion Chamber has hosted the Australian Designers Abroad Showroom in Paris which showcases the work of seven Australian Designers. Featuring both established and emerging fashion labels including: bassike, CAMILLA AND MARC, Christopher Esber, GINGER & SMART, Michael Lo Sordo, Romance Was Born and STRATEAS.CARLUCCI, designers were selected based on their industry skill, strength…

‘The Beautiful Game’ is a well worn cliché that is off trotted out when talking about football. It seems to be the best you need to not only have tactical know how; but also have some fleet and fancy footwork and an array of tricks to outwit the opposing team’s defenders – I’m thinking your…

Between Solar Systems is the latest work from emerging Perth theatre group Second Chance Theatre. Written and directed by Scott McArdle the play centres on the actions of Vincent, the sole survivor of Earth’s cataclysmic sea level rise, or is he? I’m going to try and get through this review without giving away too many…

Ahead of the launch of his latest play Between Solar Systems, we caught up with writer and director Scott McArdle to find out a little bit more about the new play from his company Second Chance Theatre; and we couldn’t resist asking Scott for his favourite Science Fiction films or shows whilst we were at…

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy… but it’s brought you all here today.” Peter Greste knows that journalists don’t have the best reputation at the moment. He even puts them up with used car salesmen and politicians in public opinion. But all jokes aside, Greste spoke at this year’s Festival…

Latitudes is the new play from emerging Perth theatre group The Lost Boys, and marks the debut theatrical work from acclaimed screenwriter, film maker and musician Mark Walsh. Directed by Mikala Westall it is a work suffused with ideas of memory and of forgetting. An at times clever, meditative and mesmerising piece Latitudes has ensured…

The idea of the interactive theatre experience is nothing new. From “whodunit” dinner parties to whatever it is people get up to at those Rocky Horror screenings, there’s always been a market for those of us who want to feel a part of the action. Even sitting front row at a comedy show brings out…

Refugees, asylum seekers and broader immigration have long dominated headlines and political slogans from all parties within Australia, and more recently abroad in Europe and the UK. For many people it is a polarising issue, for Perth theatre group The Last Great Hunt it provided the starting point for new work All That Glitters. A…

Of all of Shakespeare’s works, Hamlet is perhaps his most oft-performed and perhaps most recognised (of the tragedies at least). Indeed as I write this review; a version of the play with Benedict Cumberbatch playing the titular anti-hero is in previews and dominating news headlines back in the UK and beyond. Hamlet is also my…

Finally, the long wait is over! Absurdist comedy-cult duo Tim and Eric will be returning to our shores this December, proudly calling their show “Tim and Eric – ’Stralia – Zealand Experience”. Live Nation is excited to announce the return of the cult pair who will bring their unique brand of humour for a whirlwind…

Currently taking over the first floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney is Energies, a new (and free) exhibition that brings together the works of Australian artists David Haines and Joyce Hinterding, in what is the first comprehensive survey of their combined works from the last twenty plus years, curated by the MCA’s…

Songbird, presented as part of NAIDOC week, is the sophomore production from local theatre group Imprint Productions, and the final production in the current season at Perth’s Blue Room Theatre. Written by Shakara Walley, directed by Ian Wilkes and featuring live music, Songbird tells the story, of three young indigenous people and their fracturing relationships….

As those who just attended Dark Mofo would attest though, it’s a cold winter here in Australia for art lovers. But up in North America they’re well and truly enjoying the heat of Summer. Every State in the US has their own claim to fame when it comes to their galleries and art institutions, but…

It’s July in Australia, and being the dead of winter, most of us are looking for some exciting things to do indoors! Well, as luck would have it, we have a list for you of seven arts events across the East Coast of Australia that are the must attend attractions this month. Almost all of…

Fracture, the penultimate work in the current season at Perth’s Blue Room Theatre, is the first work from emerging playwright and WAAPA student Lucy Clements. Directed by the ubiquitous Joe Lui, Fracture examines the aftermath of familial trauma and the isolation that can result from grief. It’s been roughly twenty-four hours since I stepped out…

He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy! Or rather more accurately in this case, he’s a neurotic actor, with just the right sized nose and a slight drinking problem; tasked by the Ancient Israeli equivalent of Don Draper, with spreading the word of this new fangled religion – Christianity. If you haven’t already…