The Amateurs: a theatre review 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

Madama Butterfly: an opera review by Victor Grynberg

Bravo Opera Australia, which once more has given us an unforgettable evening. Read more

Come Rain or Come Shine: a theatre review 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

Murray Dahm talks to Madama Butterfly star Virgilio Marino

The character of Goro in Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly is essential to the opera’s drama. Read more

Passing Strange (Antipodes Theatre Company) at Meat Market Stables, as reviewed by Alex First

A dynamic score characterises a coming-of-age story. Read more

Six at the Comedy Theatre, as reviewed 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

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

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)

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

The Picture of Dorian Gray at Melbourne’s Arts Centre is an extraordinary triumph of talent and theatricality. Read more

Some familiar, some  unfamiliar: Music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

They were presented in equal quantities at last night’s concert. Read more

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: a theatre review from 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

Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland: A book review by Joanne McFall

Comprising of forty-four traditional folk tales associated with varying regions in Britain and Ireland, Liz Berg’s Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland is essential reading for fans of this genre. Read more

Driftwood: The Musical – a theatre review 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

Top Gun: Maverick is everything I wanted and more from a sequel 36 years on. Read more

Lohengrin: an opera review 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

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

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

Murray Dahm talks with opera star Daniel Sumegi

Daniel Sumegi’s rich, mellifluous bass voice booms across even over a Zoom call. Daniel admitted that he is probably more of a bass-baritone these days although he “still has all the (bass) notes” and he is singing the bass role of Heinrich der Vogler (Henry the Fowler) in Opera Australia’s upcoming production of Wagner’s 1850 masterpiece ‘fantastical romance’ Lohengrin. Read more

La Traviata: an opera review 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

Two mighty trees and a sapling: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

Two mighty trees and a sapling: that summarised the SSO’s program last night in the Sydney Town Hall. Read more

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson – a movie review 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

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

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

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

Exciting concert at Sydney’s Great Synagogue

Vladamir Fanshil continues his series of intimate concerts with an amazing offering at Sydney’s Great Synagogue. Read more

Friday morning with Richard, Wolfgang, Carl and Felix

A music review by Fraser Beath McEwing  Read more

The Northman: a movie review by Alex First

Viking mythology gets a workout in Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Eggers is co-writer with Sjon (Lamb) and directs the bloodthirsty piece. Read more

Happening: a movie review by Alex First

Happening 90 mins: France in 1963 was a place where abortion was a dirty word. In short, it was illegal. Read more

Ambulance: a movie review by Alex First

Just a fairly typical day in the life of a paramedic. Hardly! Read more

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