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Victorian Opera continues to delight, this time with an hilarious, uplifting and thoroughly entertaining production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s slapstick favourite.   I am in awe of the vocal calisthenics of soprano Nina Korbe. What an extraordinary talent she is. Hers is a golden voice worth travelling from far afield to hear. In fact, she is one of many to impress in a virtuoso show that repeatedly tickles the funny bone.   Premiering in New York in 1879, The Pirates of Penza

With the first Grand Slam of the year in full swing, how timely and gobsmackingly entertaining is this riotous rom-com! You simply must see it.   25-year-old Lucas is the number three tennis player in the world, who has just lost a four-set encounter with Roger Federer at the US Open.   Still, he vows to get his own back on the Swiss maestro, with the Aussie Open not far away. Photos by Sarah Clarke Lucas has also been in an open gay relationship with 31-year-old Felix for si

It is December 1999.   With the imminent threat of Y2K (the millennium bug) hanging over participants in this drama with comedic elements, the main focus is on cross generational relationships.   Lucinda (Tahlia Moffatt) is a 24-year-old goth who walks into an op shop operated by Rose (Janine McGrath). Photos by Cam Matheson and coniferhillphotography Lucinda, who works in a café, is studying to be an archivist and is in a relationship with non-binary nurse Rwanda (Rachel Ed

The ingenious, provocative title is no doubt a drawcard.   Without even reading the blurb on the Theatre Works’ website, the mind starts whirring.   Porn is universal, omnipotent.   Many – perhaps most – consume it in some form … often from a relatively young age.   So, just how far will this production take it? What issues will it tackle?   Truth be told, P*RN starts with a statistical analysis of just how pervasive porn production and consumption is.   We are talking about

In one of the greatest performances seen on the Australian stage, Kala Gare is a delightful, dynamic, dominant and defiant powerhouse.   In short, she – like her character, Sybylla Melvyn – is a force to be reckoned with.   Sybylla is often argumentative, cheeky and cheery.  Photo by Pia Johnson Set at a time when women were subjugated and “bred” to be marriage material, a teenage Sybylla didn’t and wouldn’t run with the pack.   She was all about affirmative action before it

A playdate is shanghaied by a mysterious green presence in a beaut show for preschoolers, featuring many Disney Jr. favourites.   Colour, music and movement make perfect bedfellows and so it is in this finely choreographed production.   The enticing video backdrops are forever changing to match the storyline.  In a five-minute warmup from energetic host DJ, the enthusiastic youngsters in the audience get up and dance, and learn a couple of magical moves.   Accompanied by up t

Champagne with hot acts in the hedonistic spirit of Montmartre is all the go at Piper’s Playhouse at Crown Melbourne after hours.   Accompanied by an alluring soundtrack – part French, part English – sultry performers steam up the night in an intimate burlesque cabaret show.   It is a good-natured walk on the wild side.  Three 20-minute acts showcase seven entertainers, including the maître d’, with ample time for champers and nibbles in between.   The piece de resistance of

He is a 40-year-old high school teacher and she is a furniture restorer, aged 35.   He has an ex-wife and a young daughter.   She has just extricated herself from a relationship with a married man who promised to leave his wife … or has she?   It is their first date.  She has invited him over for a home-made dinner with her signature dish. He has brought wine … and condoms.   Each has with them – in their heads – a Greek chorus (four male mates for him and four female friends

It is 1952 and a struggling 23-year-old New York City hustler aspires to be the world table tennis champion.   Marty Mauser (Timothy Chalamet) is working selling shoes in his uncle’s Lower East Side store.   Marty is good at his job (he could sell snow to the Eskimos), but isn’t even remotely interested in it, even though his uncle offers him the role of manager. Marty has bigger plans.   At a time when ping pong is hardly recognised as significant in the US, Mauser aspires t