Barney Zwartz
Barney Zwartz, a senior fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity, was religion editor of The Age from 2002 to 2013.
This jubilant mess of a show is impossible to resist
Colourful and joyous, Wayfinder is a glorious, chromatic frenzy of dance and acrobatic movement that revels in its excess.
- by Andrew Fuhrmann, Will Cox and Barney Zwartz
Latest
Catharsis and high kicks: Olivia Rodrigo’s first Melbourne show is a hit
To say Rodrigo’s first Australian tour was anticipated is an understatement: some eager fans had been camping out at Rod Laver Arena since the weekend.
- by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Barney Zwartz, Andrew Fuhrmann, Tony Way and Will Cox
Opinion
Religion
How the young Hawks gave a masterclass in redemption
First comes failure, then recognition of the need to change, to look to something better, then action, hope and hard work.
- by Barney Zwartz
Helen Garner says this is the best thing she’s written. But does it work as an opera?
With a theme leaning so heavily on music, it’s not a surprise The Children’s Bach was adapted into an opera – but does it keep its magic when taken off the page?
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Bridget Davies, Andrew Fuhrmann, Tony Way, Jessica Nicholas and Barney Zwartz
Opinion
Religion
Celebrating the ‘ultimate father’
Christians speak of God as father in several ways, the most important being that he is their creator and redeemer, their protector and guide.
- by Barney Zwartz
If you hate Henry VIII then this is the musical for you
It would appear that & Juliet has been pipped at the post by Six the Musical for the poppiest show ever inspired by the 16th century.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Andrew Fuhrmann, Bridget Davies and Barney Zwartz
It may be short, but this story of music strikes the right note
Andrew Ford speculates that music might predate speech. But in his informative “shortest history”, he insists that music is not a universal language.
- by Barney Zwartz
Two tickets to horror reminded me of Paul’s message to us
At nearly 70, I went to my first horror movie. It has aged so badly that the audience tittered. But then I went to a harrowing opera that left me transfixed.
- by Barney Zwartz
Two powerful performances in this Streetcar make it a bare-knuckle fight
In this MTC production Nikki Shiels plays a Blanche DuBois who isn’t mad – her Blanche is quite fun, witty, and as likely to self-deprecate as self-dramatise.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Barney Zwartz
Lady Macbeth deserves a better fate. Does this play offer that chance?
Horrors both supernatural and human abound in this creative and provocative re-working of The Scottish Play.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Barney Zwartz, Andrew Fuhrmann, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Michael Dwyer, Jessica Nicholas and Tony Way
Opinion
Religion
Leaning into personal mottos for mirth, and faith for hope
None of us entirely lives up to our conscience or our moral insight. But hope can be found.
- by Barney Zwartz
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/barney-zwartz-hveq0