Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG): a movie review by Alex First
December 28, 2022 by Alex First
Puss in Boots (the voice of Antonio Banderas) first appeared in Shrek 2 in 2004 before showing up again in a couple of other Shrek sequels and then a standalone film in 2011. Read more
The Lost King : A movie review by Alex First
December 27, 2022 by Alex First
Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins) is a quirky, intelligent, divorced mother who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. Read more
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (M): A movie review by Alex First
December 27, 2022 by Alex First
The tumultuous life of the world’s most awarded female vocalist is put under the spotlight in I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Read more
Triangle of Sadness (M): a movie review by Alex First
December 26, 2022 by Alex First
A black comedy focusing on beauty, influencers, ostentatiousness, excess, pretension and power, Triangle of Sadness unfolds in three parts. Read more
The Banshees of Inisherin (M): a movie review by Alex First
December 26, 2022 by Alex First
What does it take to ruin a friendship? Read more
Moulin Rouge! The Musical: A Sydney theatre review by Alex First
December 16, 2022 by Alex First
Polished performances, magnificent mashups, elegant and evocative sets, colourful and creative costumes, and charismatic choreography are the highlights of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. A striking spectacle. Read more
Avatar: The Way of Water (M): a movie review by Alex First
December 15, 2022 by Alex First
Avatar’s magnificent journey continues with awe-inspired distinction in The Way of Water. Read more
Handel’s Messiah: a choral concert reviewed by Victor Grynberg
December 14, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
Since I attended the opening of the Sydney Opera House 50 years ago, I have attended perhaps more than 1500 performances there. Read more
Andrew had nowhere to sit, so he stood up and played: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
December 8, 2022 by Fraser Beath McEwing
When Andrew Haveron walked on stage at the Sydney Opera House concert hall last night carrying his violin, his usual chair was occupied by associate concertmaster Harry Bennetts. Read more
Carmen’s Don Jose: Diego Torre speaks with Murray Dahm
November 29, 2022 by Murray Dahm
I spoke with Diego Torre ahead of Carmen on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island, in which he takes on the role of Don Jose. Read more
“Carmen “ on Cockatoo Island. ‘Unforgettable and a must see’ says Victor Grynberg
November 28, 2022 by J-Wire
Carmen is probably the most played opera around the world. Read more
Monsters: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
November 27, 2022 by Alex First
As children, what did we fear the most? That the boogie man will get us. Read more
Murray Dahm speaks with Carmen’s bullfighter
November 23, 2022 by Murray Dahm
I last spoke with Daniel Sumegi before the Melbourne performances of Wagner’s Lohengrin earlier this year. Now he returns to Australia in Carmen on Cockatoo Island as Escamillo, the bull-fighter and lover of the gypsy Carmen after she has tired of ex-corporal Don Jose. Read more
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
November 20, 2022 by Alex First
Straight from the West End, the new, reimagined production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is a delightful, fun, engaging and dynamic family musical. Read more
The Phantom of the Opera: Alex First reviews the Melbourne production
November 15, 2022 by Alex First
Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterful work The Phantom of the Opera sizzles. Read more
Sunshine Super Girl: a theatre review by Alex First
November 13, 2022 by Alex First
Respectful, determined and humble. That is the picture that emerges of Australian tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Sunshine Super Girl, a moniker given to her by the British press. Read more
Gundog (Three Fates Theatre) reviewed by Alex First
November 11, 2022 by Alex First
The rough lot of an impoverished farming clan is front and centre in Gundog, a dramatic and confronting play with lashes of humour. Read more
A beauty and two beasts: Music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
November 10, 2022 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Under the baton of Simone Young, the SSO turned in a stirring performance last night from the two big Bs: Brahms’ first symphony and Beethoven’s violin concerto with soloist James Ehnes. Read more
Lunch with Umberto
November 9, 2022 by Alan Slade
A Little Lunch Music is a long-running series created by the accomplished Australian pianist Kathryn Selby in 2007. Read more
The Hunt: A Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus thriller
November 7, 2022 by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen
Faye Kellerman’s book reviewed by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen. Read more
Verdi’s Attila: another masterpiece – reviewed by Victor Grynberg
November 2, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
Giuseppe Verdi, in the judgement of many, was the greatest ever composer of operas. Read more
Urinetown: The Musical – Melbourne review by Alex First
November 1, 2022 by Alex First
A 20-year drought has led to the blatant exploitation of the underprivileged. Read more
Girls & Boys: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
October 28, 2022 by Alex First
A sharp and witty British woman unpicks her life before our eyes and what a life it has been. Read more
DanceX Part II: reviewed by Alex First
October 26, 2022 by Alex First
The Australian premiere of Johan Inger’s comic, romantic dance theatre piece I New Then, set to songs by Van Morrison, is superb. Read more
Antisemitism and racism capture attention in Armageddon Time
October 16, 2022 by Alex First
A new, sensitive, coming-of-age story highlighting the African American and Jewish experience is a vehicle to propel two bright young actors onto the world stage. They talk with J-Wire. Read more
Alex First reviews Romeo and Juliet performed by the Australian Ballet
October 12, 2022 by Alex First
After a 19-year hiatus, the emotion-charged, highly acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet by choreographer John Cranko takes centre stage at Arts Centre Melbourne. Read more
The Meeting: a theatre review by Alex First
October 7, 2022 by Alex First
A secret imaginary rendezvous between two towering but polar opposite African American leaders plays out in The Meeting. Read more
Ghost Stories: a theatre review by Alex First
October 3, 2022 by Alex First
An engaging professor of parapsychology talks us through the history of ghost stories – how they came to be and how they have evolved over time. Read more
Cyrano: a theatre review by Alex First
September 30, 2022 by Alex First
A massive triumph. The MTC production of the season. A talented cast, headlined by writer and star Virginia Gay proves that the pen is mightier than the sword. Read more
Instruments of Dance (The Australian Ballet): reviewed by Alex First
September 28, 2022 by Alex First
The second line of Peter Allen’s iconic anthem, I Still Call Australia Home, contains the words “From New York to Rio and old London Town”. Read more
