Alex First names the best of Melbourne theatre in 2024 but a Sydney production tops the list
The world of creative theatre is one of many hues. As a Melbourne-based reviewer, naturally I see most productions in that city.
I can only dream of criss-crossing the globe continuously to experience the best of the best in New York, London and elsewhere. Nevertheless, we are well served by theatre in this country, as my Top Ten list reveals.
1 The Lehman Trilogy (Theatre Royal Sydney) – The compelling story of an immigrant family business that grew to become the fourth largest investment bank in the USA, before it
2 The Inheritance (fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne) – Set a generation after the height of the AIDS crisis, humour, pathos and fierce sexual drive are the hallmarks of what it is like to be young and gay in New York.
3 Murder for Two (Arts Centre Melbourne) – An outrageous murder mystery … a comedic whodunit that is a triumph of writing, performance and direction. Two actors fill 13 roles … and 12 those go to one of them.
4 Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA (Under the Big Top at Flemington Racecourse) – Set in an imaginary Mexico, colour, splendour, surprises aplenty – including cascading rain under the Big Top – and circus excellence are its calling cards.
5 SIX (Comedy Theatre, Melbourne) – Pitting the wives of King Henry VIII against each other, SIX sizzles and girl power rules in a high-octane feminist musical celebration.
6 Tina (Princess Theatre, Melbourne) – Ruva Ngwenya is simply the best in the dynamic musical tribute to the late, great Tina Turner.
7 RBG: Of Many, One (Arts Centre Melbourne) – Triumphant, dramatic, at times comedic and totally enthralling comes the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Distinguished by a virtuoso performance from Heather Mitchell, she metamorphosises into the second woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court.
8 Macbeth (An Undoing) (Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne) – A striking reimagining of Shakespeare’s tale of murder and madness, British writer Zinnie Harris approaches the tragedy from Lady Macbeth’s perspective.
9 Yentl (Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne) – Set in Poland in 1870 and distinguished by bravura performances is this story of a woman who “becomes” a man, so she can study the Torah.
10 Dear Evan Hansen (Arts Centre Melbourne) – Poignant and compelling, Beau Woodbridge does much of the heavy lifting in this coming-of-age morality tale of a socially anxious 17-year-old.
