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Tubular Bells for Two (Arts Centre Melbourne and touring) - 60 minutes
British musician Mike Oldfield was still in his teens when he recorded his first studio album, the iconic number one chart topper Tubular...
Alex First
Sep 9, 20232 min read


Death of a Salesman, at Her Majesty's Theatre - 175 minutes, plus a 20-minute interval
Anthony Lapaglia and Alison Whyte shine in a superb rendition of one of the finest plays of the 20th century, Arthur Miller’s Death of a...
Alex First
Sep 8, 20233 min read


Happily Ever After & FAE (Lion Heart Dance Company), at Chapel Off Chapel - 70 mins, plus interval
Two, original, 35-minute works broken by a 20-minute interval, the first involves 22 dancers aged 10 to 17 (the youth artists) and the...
Alex First
Sep 3, 20232 min read


Club Vegas (touring) - 130 minutes, plus interval
Club Vegas is a fulsome variety show that would be quite at home on casino stages around the world. It combines modern interpretations of...
Alex First
Sep 2, 20232 min read


Prophet (Theatre Works) - 90 minutes, without interval
Faith is put under the spotlight in Jodi Gallagher’s immersive new work Prophet. Is it the story of Christianity? There are certainly...
Alex First
Aug 28, 20232 min read


Bernadette Robinson: Divas, at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne - 90 minutes, without interval
Ten iconic female voices from different eras, with diverse styles – from husky to angelic. They are the divas in the show title....
Alex First
Aug 27, 20232 min read


Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Regent Theatre - 135 minutes, plus a 20-minute interval
It sizzles. It’s electrifying. It’s energy on steroids. Moulin Rouge! The Musical triumphs anew – a rolled gold winner that keeps on...
Alex First
Aug 25, 20232 min read


Miss Peony (touring) - 120 minutes, plus a 20-minute interval
What a delightful, joyous and life affirming hoot Miss Peony is. It concerns the fractious relationship between Chinese grandmother...
Alex First
Aug 22, 20232 min read


Cygnets, at Theatre Work's Explosives Factory - 60 minutes
In Greek mythology, Clytemnestra was the twin sister of the woman said to be the most beautiful in the world, Helen of Troy. Their mother...
Alex First
Aug 22, 20232 min read


Powder Room at The MC Showroom - 55 minutes
The girls are out for a night on the tiles at a club, but not all is going according to plan. In fact, there is no shortage of sad and...
Alex First
Aug 19, 20232 min read


Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal at John Cain Arena (and touring) - 100 minutes, plus interval
Several years ago, I was fortunate to see Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, with performers excelling on, in and above...
Alex First
Aug 18, 20232 min read


Monument at Red Stitch Actors' Theatre - 100 minutes, without interval
An unexpected power play between an about to be anointed Prime Minister and a make-up artist readying her to take office is at the heart...
Alex First
Aug 17, 20232 min read


Guys & Dolls (Antipodes Theatre Company) at Chapel Off Chapel - 160 minutes, including interval
The atmosphere of the era is set the moment one enters The Chapel at Chapel Off Chapel, which has been transformed into a den of...
Alex First
Aug 15, 20233 min read


Escaped Alone (45 minutes) and What If If Only (25 minutes), an MTC double bill at Southbank Theatre
Now in her mid 80s, Caryl Churchill is regarded as one of the world’s greatest living playwrights. Her work is innovative … enigmatic,...
Alex First
Aug 13, 20232 min read


Chunky Move's 4/4 at Malthouse Theatre - 60 minutes
4/4 is characterised by a series of complex movements and maneuverings against a stark stage and backdrop. It is black, white and grey...
Alex First
Aug 9, 20232 min read


Love With No Remorse (The Thespian Theatre Company) at Meat Market Stables - 135 mins, plus interval
Even with the best will in the world, the path to finding and sustaining the love of one’s life is often paved with potholes. With two...
Alex First
Aug 8, 20232 min read


The Cave of Spleen at Theatre Works' Explosives Factory - 75 minutes
Unless you have context (and I didn’t before entering the theatre), this play will make little sense. By context, I am referring to the...
Alex First
Aug 8, 20233 min read


kerosene/SIRENS at fortyfivedownstairs - two plays - 50 minutes and 65 minutes respectively
A superbly nuanced performance by Izabella Yena elevates an outstanding piece of writing from Benjamin Nichol, who directs kerosene with...
Alex First
Aug 5, 20233 min read


Telethon Kid at Beckett Theatre, at Malthouse Theatre - 90 minutes, without interval
Morality and money are at the heart of the acerbic Telethon Kid. Inspired by his own medical experiences, Melbourne-based writer Alistair...
Alex First
Aug 3, 20233 min read


Parade (Soundworks Productions) at Chapel Off Chapel - 160 minutes, plus a 20-minute interval
Based on a true story, injustice and antisemitism are at the core of the powerful musical Parade. It is 1913 and we are in Atlanta,...
Alex First
Jul 31, 20233 min read
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