Alex First, Author at J-Wire

Beau Jest

Alex First — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:09:16 +0000

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First I can’t think of a Saltpillar Theatre endeavour that I have enjoyed more than this delightful production of Beau Jest. Premiering in Chicago in 1989, the romantic comedy written by James Sherman moves along at pace and is simply so much fun. It concerns a nice Jewish […]

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The Phantom of the Opera

Alex First — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:31:47 +0000

An opera review by Alex First Superlatives can’t do justice to a magnificent Handa Opera production of The Phantom of the Opera on its 40th anniversary. With the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a spectacular backdrop, the leads are glorious, the chorus captivating and the production values mesmerising. As far as the staging […]

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West Gate

Alex First — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:31:31 +0000

A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First It happened more than 55 years ago – on 15th October, 1970 – and was Australia’s worst industrial accident. I speak of the West Gate Bridge collapse. Thirty-five workers died and 18 were injured. In fact, due to several issues before the bridge fell – identified […]

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FLORA (The Australian Ballet x Bangarra Dance Theatre)

Alex First — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:31:54 +0000

A Melbourne ballet reviewed by Alex First How to create a compelling world premiere program with life-sustaining plants at its epicentre. That was the challenge. Combining the supreme talents of The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre for a fourth time was a masterstroke … for the result is astounding. The creative excellence is next […]

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The Doll Trilogy

Alex First — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:38:12 +0000

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First What an experience! I speak of a searing, at times humorous trilogy covering 16 years and lasting seven hours, in which, on several occasions, the characters eviscerate one another. And “yes”, I approached it with fear, simply because even for an unashamed theatre enthusiast like me 420 minutes […]

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The Diary of Anne Frank

Alex First — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 04:26:21 +0000

A theatre review by Alex First Anne Frank’s story is a tragic but inspiring one and it is played out in dramatic fashion on stage. As Jews, when her Dutch family was forced to go into hiding during the Holocaust, she was gifted a diary, which she wrote in religiously. It contained her innermost thoughts […]

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Ed Sheeran Loop Tour

Alex First — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 02:10:37 +0000

The Melbourne concert reviewed by Alex First Why is Ed Sheeran one of the most beloved (and, unquestionably, highly talented) musical artists on the planet? Having arrived by train from Sydney, he answered that emphatically on the opening night of a three-night stadium concert tour in Melbourne. Marvel Stadium was metaphorically heaving under the collective […]

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My Brilliant Career

Alex First — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:27:36 +0000

A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First 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. Set at […]

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10,000 Hours (Gravity & Other Myths)

Alex First — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Acrobatic excellence at a level you are most unlikely to have seen…writes Alex First. That is what awaits you if you venture to 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. The title of the show refers to the […]

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Saturday Night Fever

Alex First — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:47:18 +0000

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First The dark storyline in Saturday Night Fever is a sharp contrast to the detail and stunning clarity in the video and lighting design, which are mainstays of this production. Based on the 1977 film starring John Travolta and featuring the Bee Gees’ soundtrack, the jukebox musical set in […]

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