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Bittersweet, comes this slapstick, but poignant tale of sisters looking to escape from their mundane small-town (Dumfordton, population 340 and falling) existence.   To do so, with her school dropout, songwriting little sister Shannon’s (Alana Louise) undying support, 25-year-old Jodi (Sarah Palmieri) has her heart set on winning Simon Cowell’s the X-Factor. Photos by Nina Hopley Shannon has a history of picking the winners of that talent competition and next year she firmly

Irreverent, crude, witty, clever and lyrically and vocally adept, The Book of Mormon is an hilarious religious satire.   It is a rolled gold hoot from start to finish.   Not for naught did it win nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a Grammy and four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical.   It starts with a quick, quirky and humorous pantomime about the formation of the Church of Latter Day Saints.  Photo by Daniel Boud Then, we are into the body of the story, a cre

A star is born. Such is the impact of sweet-voiced Belle Parkinson in the lead role in the up-tempo musical inspired by many of ABBA’s hit songs.   From her first melodic note, she is utterly captivating as the bright and breezy Sophie Sheridan, who – on the cusp of her wedding day – yearns to know who her father is. Photos by Natalie Edge Photography Energetic and heaps of good-natured fun, Mamma Mia! is unquestionably a mood lifter – a spirited delight.   With music and lyr

It is 1949 and on a dark and stormy night they have gathered at Boddy Manor in New England.   They are being blackmailed, so each has a motive to commit murder.   Their mysterious blackmailer, Mr Boddy (Joshua Monaghan), who will reveal himself, has orchestrated it so that once inside they cannot leave. Photos by Jeff Busby All guests are given pseudonyms.   There is Mrs White (Rachael Beck), Reverend Green (Laurence Boxhall) and Miss Scarlett (Olivia Deeble).   So too Profes

Very smartly written and cleverly performed, Kitty Litter concerns friends who used to be more than that who fall out over a black cat.   Robin (Sian Crowe), 27, surprises Dan (Hamish Johnston) when she turns up at his apartment unannounced.  Photos by Rhonin Xu He has literally just returned from a six-month trip to Europe and South America.   After interrogating each other about whether they hooked up with anyone during their time apart, Dan prizes a shocking story out of R

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts-trained artiste Jens Radda, aka drag queen Skank Sinatra, sure knows how to attract attention.   With powerful and melodic vocals, energy personified, attitude to burn and deprecating humour, he sashays his way through some of Broadway’s greatest hits.  Mind you, he doesn’t mind re-engineering a few of the lyrics and even manages a familiar tune in Danish. His mum is Danish and his father South African.   Skank Sinatra: The Name o

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

A huge cast brings youthful energy and drive to the dark and humorous Matilda The Musical Jr. Photos by James Gillot and Rhea Brendish In a battle of wills, dastardly principal Miss Trunchbull locks horns with bright bookworm Matilda Wormwood and her encouraging teacher, Miss Honey.   The story, based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel, features music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, with orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, and a book by Dennis Kelly.   Born into the

Tomáš Kantor is such an uber talented performer.   Whether he is channelling voices high or low, or singing with lyrical appeal, or playing a succession of instruments adroitly, he makes it all appear effortless.   That, in itself, is mighty impressive. Photos by Mark Gambino Overall, he is simply so engaging and that gets back to his yarn spinning and his ability to lure in the audience and readily interact with us.   SUGAR is a story of how an attractive, gender-fluid young

Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling collide and are turned inside out in spectacular fashion by world renowned acrobatic circus troupe Circa.   If that isn’t enough, Duck Pond contains not one, but two surprise endings.   As per director and designer Yaron Lifschitz, who has crafted something very special, in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Princess Odette is cursed to live as a swan by day. Photos by Daniel Boud and Pia Johnson The spell can only be broken if a man who has never loved

Acrobatic excellence at a level you are most unlikely to have seen.   That is what is in store if you venture into Arts Centre Melbourne to see 10,000 Hours, which I would urge you to do.   This is the first time it has been in Melbourne. Photos by Millissa Martin, Andy Phillipson and Darcy Grant The title of the show refers to the amount of practice that has gone into producing the 60 minutes of thrills that you will witness.   In short, it is good natured, exciting, exhilar

The dark storyline in Saturday Night Fever is a sharp contrast to the detail and stunning clarity in the video design and lighting, which are mainstays of this production.   Based on the 1977 film starring John Travolta and featuring the Bee Gee’s soundtrack, the jukebox musical set in Brooklyn concerns youth and ambition. Photos by Ben Fon It was adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood with Bill Oakes and premiered in the West End in 1998, opening on Broadway the following