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Provocative from the opening scene, Afterglow sets out to push the envelope.   It starts with shadow play of a heated ménage à trois between three buff men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s.   Thereafter, the play features full frontal nudity and steamy shower scenes. Photos by Cameron Grant Yes, a real shower with an imposingly large shower head is prominent centre stage in several scenes.   The contention is this:   Alex (Julian Curtis) and Josh (Matthew Mitcham) are mar

A heartfelt drama about identity and belonging with comedic elements, The Placeholder takes place is a small regional town in 2017.   It is just months before the plebiscite on same sex marriage, in which all assembled will vote “Yes”.   You might recall that when the vote was taken, 61.6 per cent of Australians voted that way. Photos by Darren Gill The play focuses on a group of women, known as Barb’s Bosom Buddies, whose bond is fragile.   They gather regularly in the kitch

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