The Marvellous Life of Carlo Gatti: A theatre review by Alex First
August 10, 2022 by Alex First
A pianist from an ice cream parlour (Connor Dariol), a psychologist (Shamita Siva) and a physicist (El Kiley) get together. Read more
The Importance of Being Jewish: a theatre review by Alex First
August 9, 2022 by Alex First
A romp, The Importance of Being Jewish showcases playwright Rob Selzer’s insight and wit. Read more
Antarctica: An IMAX movie reviewed by Alex First
August 3, 2022 by Alex First
While it is the coldest place on Earth, where temperatures plunge to as low as 90 degrees below zero and the water temperature is freezing, Antarctica is a surfeit of riches. Read more
Unsolicited Male: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
July 29, 2022 by Alex First
A boss oversteps the mark and the consequences are devastating in Ron Elisha’s incendiary Unsolicited Male. Read more
Where the Crawdads Sing: a movie review by Alex First
July 22, 2022 by Alex First
A young woman whose life has been a series of letdowns faces the possibility of the death penalty after being charged with the first-degree murder of her former lover. Read more
Caligula (Burning House) at Theatre Works, as reviewed by Alex First
July 20, 2022 by Alex First
There will be blood. That expression well sums up the tyrannical reign of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula. He was the third Roman emperor, who ruled from the years 37 to 41, before he was assassinated. Read more
9 to 5: The Musical – State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, as reviewed by Alex First
July 17, 2022 by Alex First
9 to 5 The Musical is energetic, sassy and colourful. Read more
Secrets: a theatre review from Melbourne by Alex First
July 13, 2022 by Alex First
Just how good are you at keeping secrets? Read more
Compartment No 6: a movie review by Alex First
July 11, 2022 by Alex First
We’re in Moscow in 1996. Read more
Sundown: a movie review by Alex First
July 8, 2022 by Alex First
An intelligent, slow-burn movie in which little appears to happen for a long time and much remains unsaid, thereafter the shocks come. Read more
Thor: Love and Thunder – a movie review by Alex First
July 6, 2022 by Alex First
Liquorice of all sorts, Thor: Love and Thunder has some fun moments, but lacks substance. Read more
The Amateurs: a theatre review by Alex First
July 4, 2022 by Alex First
One of the most bizarre plays I have seen, The Amateurs at Melbourne’s Red Stitch Theatre is a tragicomedy from 2015 American Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison. This is its Australian premiere. Read more
Come Rain or Come Shine: a theatre review by Alex First
June 30, 2022 by Alex First
Come Rain or Come Shine is a charming, funny and smart romantic musical comedy, which unfolds over nearly three decades. Read more
Passing Strange (Antipodes Theatre Company) at Meat Market Stables, as reviewed by Alex First
June 28, 2022 by Alex First
A dynamic score characterises a coming-of-age story. Read more
Six at the Comedy Theatre, as reviewed by Alex First
June 27, 2022 by Alex First
A contemporary interpretation of the dastardly deeds of King Henry VIII, Six rocks. Its pop vibe is a sure-fire winner. Read more
Minions: The Rise of Gru – a movie review by Alex First
June 26, 2022 by Alex First
Minions: The Rise of Gru is an origin story and an ode to the music of the ‘70s. Read more
Elvis: a movie review by Alex First
June 22, 2022 by Alex First
Elvis lives. Well, not quite. But Baz Luhrmann has breathed new life into the legend and aura surrounding the consummate performer, the best-selling solo recording artist of all time. Read more
Harlequinade: a ballet review by Alex First (State Theatre, Melbourne)
June 20, 2022 by Alex First
Love is in the air, but there are those who have other ideas. Read more
The Picture of Dorian Gray: a theatre review by Alex First
June 9, 2022 by Alex First
The Picture of Dorian Gray at Melbourne’s Arts Centre is an extraordinary triumph of talent and theatricality. Read more
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: a theatre review from Alex First
May 27, 2022 by Alex First
So, you think you know the Cinderella story – the one about the poor “servant” to the evil stepmother and her taunting stepsisters? Read more
Driftwood: The Musical – a theatre review by Alex First
May 23, 2022 by Alex First
Driftwood: The Musical is a heart-wrenching and inspiring piece of musical theatre, reflecting a dark period of history that changed and destroyed the lives of millions. Read more
Top Gun: Maverick – a movie review by Alex First
May 22, 2022 by Alex First
Top Gun: Maverick is everything I wanted and more from a sequel 36 years on. Read more
Lohengrin: an opera review by Alex First
May 17, 2022 by Alex First
Treachery and subterfuge abound in the Australian premiere of a new production of Richard Wagner’s otherworldly romance Lohengrin at the State Theatre, Arts Centre in Melbourne. Read more
An American in Paris: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Once you learn that Robbie Fairchild was a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet you can understand why he glides so effortlessly across the stage in a stellar display as the centrepiece of An American in Paris. Read more
Girl from the North Country: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Set during the Great Depression, Girl from the North Country is a brilliantly conceived and executed theatrical production, featuring the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan. Read more
La Traviata: an opera review by Alex First
May 10, 2022 by Alex First
Soprano Stacey Alleaume is almost ethereal in a scintillating performance as Violetta Valery in Giuseppe Verdi’s fraught, emotion-charged, love story La Traviata (which translates to The Fallen Woman). Read more
The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson – a movie review by Alex First
May 4, 2022 by Alex First
Magnificently shot, The Drover’s Wife is a story of hardship concerning a woman living in the Australian bush trying her best to raise four young children. Read more
The Heartbreak Choir: a theatre review by Alex First
May 2, 2022 by Alex First
A delightful, poignant, funny, uplifting play with music, The Heartbreak Choir charms its way into our hearts. Read more
Matador la experienca, at Melbourne’s Meat Market reviewed by Alex First
May 1, 2022 by Alex First
Matador la experienca has taken the best of Matador and stepped it up a notch to create a totally electrifying and immersive showcase of talent. Read more
Downton Abbey: A New Era – a movie review by Alex First
April 28, 2022 by Alex First
Set in 1928, the matriarch of the Crawley family – The Dowager, Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) – may be in failing health, but she has lost none of her bite. Read more
