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It starts with a pointed quote from Oscar Wilde: “One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” Then, a whip smart script and some seriously good acting transport us to eye opening conversation between two couples living in the same apartment block. Music teacher Joe (Seth Rogen) and his wife Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) daughter is sleeping out for the night. The couple isn’t exactly on the same page when Angela invites their free-spirited upstai

It is known as the magical world of Disney for a reason, which is immediately evident when you witness the spectacular show Disney on Ice presents Magic in the Stars. Featuring a surfeit of Disney favourites, this is something special. As technology continues to develop and with creativity in abundance, I venture to suggest this is the best Disney on Ice yet … and I have seen many. Think ice skaters par excellence performing somersaults, lifts, twirls and jumps, not to o

There is so much to get excited about in Victorian Opera’s new production of The Coronation of Poppea. It is chock-full of skulduggery, subterfuge and intrigue. Think ruthless ambition and illicit passion. Photos by Jeff Busby As director Sam Strong well puts it, Brian De Palma’s classic film Scarface meets 1980s Miami and neo-classical kitsch. Into that mix you should add ancient Rome and the gods. Talk about a heady combination … and I assure you The Coronation of

Her parents died when she was young. She only knew fragments of their lives, material she had pieced together from her mother’s diary. Her grandparents on her father’s side kept her at arm’s length, but why? This is the story of 18-year-old Marina (Llúcia Garcia) who is looking for answers. The year is 2004 and she arrives in Vigo, on the Spanish Atlantic coast. She wants her grandparents’ signature on documents she needs for a scholarship application. But before s

Let’s start with a simple question. What is the Minions’ mantra? If your answer is to find the most evil boss of their time to serve, you get an elephant stamp. But what would any Minion worth his salt do along the way? Create mayhem, of course. So it is that this seventh film in the franchise, dating back to Despicable Me in 2010, is built on the contention that Minions have always been around. Grainy black and white footage at the start of the movie – a nice touch – g

The wellness industry gets a well-deserved dressing down in Marieke Hardy’s uproarious comedy with a dark underbelly, Losing Face. Jo (Michala Banas), Lauren (Christie Whelan Browne) and Simone (Madeleine Sami) have been besties since ... forever. Only these days they don’t see much of each other because, well, life has gotten in the way. Photos by Pia Johnson In fact, they haven’t been together for five years, when with only a week’s notice, Jo invites them to join her

Colour, movement and music to delight the senses. Modern balletic dance at its finest. A work of sublime beauty and integrity that has 30 captivating dancers entrancing the audience from a blank canvas. Save for lighting differentiation and enthralling music, their backdrop is an open stage. All the more reason to admire their endeavours. Photos by Kate Longley As the curtain lifts, the performers are covered head to leg in sheer wrapping, only to shed those light “g

The fun starts even before you enter the heated Big Top, which is located opposite Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren. Snow is falling immediately outside, courtesy of a snow making machine. FROSTED – A Winter Spectacular is a magical experience for the littlies and for the parents and grandparents who watch their small faces light up. It is the second time that Showtime Attractions has staged this Christmas in June and July celebration and it has been expanded sinc

Set between Australia and the Philippines, the tragicomedy MR BIG aka Tatay, A Transwoman and That Tiring Tune! deals with pain and regret. Diana (Dax Carnay-Hanrahan) is a trans Filipina woman who now lives in Australia and is engaged to be married to the love of her life, Jerry (Aiden Gale Miranda). At the same time, she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Photos by Myca Guinchoma She is holding on to a dark secret that she can’t bring herself to share