Culture
Theatre
Censored and criticised, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is perfect for our times
When I picked up the “other” Bronte’s novel, I did so with resignation and spiritual smugness. This will be hard, I thought, but it will be good for me.
- by Diana Reid
Latest
How performing stage illusions helped this GP become a better doctor
Vyom Sharma, a GP and part-time magician, says creating a magic act showed him how to help patients trust him.
- by Stephen A Russell
Bold Bronte sister adaption turns page on domestic violence
Emme Hoy’s ambitious adaption of Anne Bronte’s gothic tale, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, outshines Jessica Arthur’s production.
- by John Shand
★★★
Arts
Tim Finn’s new musical starts with promise, but fails to fulfil its potential
The versatile cast handles both comedy and pathos, but they deserve to be showcased by more vocally challenging songs.
- by Peter Hodgson, Kate Herbert and Tony Way
Hamilton director’s next move could be an Australian first
Passing Strange may be the first Australian show to offer a BLACK OUT night – a performance for audiences identifying as people of colour.
- by John Bailey
How Tim Finn and friends beat one of Hollywood’s most powerful studios
Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro rescued a dream for the team that brought us Ladies in Black.
- by Michael Dwyer
Banned 60 years ago, this ‘obscene’ Anzac play makes its Australian debut
Are we ready for Peter Yeldham’s play that the censors stopped from appearing on our screens in 1962?
- by Steve Meacham
Fart jokes and death metal lullabies: Cult kids’ duo have the holidays sorted
The Listies top the list with their rambunctious and ridiculous comedy, but parents will need to get in quick for the best holiday shows around Melbourne.
- by Kate Herbert
★★★½
Review
A Doll’s House review: Nora breaks the shackles, but not our hearts
Joanna Murray-Smith has done a shrewd job of updating Ibsen’s play, without bruising its essence.
- by John Shand
★★★★
Arts
The glory and ugliness of showbiz laid bare in this razor-sharp show
There’s no one better to take us behind the curtain of Australia’s musical theatre world than Christie Whelan Browne.
- by Cameron Woodhead
‘Victory for spinster theatregoers’ after Arts Centre denied tourist a ticket
Melbourne Arts Centre changed its ticketing policy after fielding criticism for what some said was discrimination against single theatregoers.
- by Nick Miller