These two pieces are beautiful – but they don’t fit together

With Études and Circle Electric, The Australian Ballet is bringing together the new with the classical. Separately, they work. Together, less so.

• Today, 2.05pm
• by Andrew Fuhrmann, Cameron Woodhead and Tony Way

Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024

This year’s festival has kicked off, with almost 500 shows on offer across Melbourne and greater Victoria. Here, our writers take a closer look.

Strange, familiar, free: Your guide to choosing the perfect Fringe show

Soap operas and secret locations: here’s a taste of what’s to come at Melbourne Fringe.

• September 28, 2024
• by Elizabeth Flux

This play is about a violent man. So why is he played by a woman?

In the face of Australia’s shocking rates of domestic violence, our grittiest theatre makers take a bold new approach.

• September 19, 2024
• by Kylie Northover

We’ve been at it for millennia, but sex on the Fringe is something else

From disability to cultural taboos, this year’s edgiest festival steps into territory that is usually unspoken.

• September 18, 2024
• by John Bailey

Spring has sprung early, here’s how to make the most of it in Melbourne

Your culture guide for cost-conscious connoisseurs, with a few big-ticket items should you have the chance to splash out.

• August 23, 2024
• by Cameron Woodhead

Blades of Glory meets South Park in sports spoof Bradbury the Musical

Melbourne Fringe theatre ranged from the ridiculous to the thought-provoking. Here’s a wrap of some of the shows you may have missed.

• October 19, 2023
• by Cameron Woodhead, Lefa Singleton Norton and Cher Tan

Mob has a meeting place at Melbourne Fringe’s Blak Lodge

A multidisciplinary hub at North Melbourne’s Meat Market has been home to a range of Deadly Fringe shows in this year’s festival.

• October 18, 2023
• by Stephen A Russell

‘Dazzling’: Jose Navas’ homage is an exceptional night of dance

In other Fringe dance productions, Mechorstra shakes and shimmies, Shower Thots drips with sensual energy, Shian Law carries the weight of history, Leisa Prowd shows resilience and Joel Bray blurs gender and genre.

• October 13, 2023
• by Andrew Fuhrmann, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Cher Tan, Stephen A Russell and Lefa Singleton Norton

Extended Rainbow History Class is a comedy treat

From Rainbow History lessons and victims of hacking to career changes and fart jokes, our reviewers take a look at the shows bringing the laughs, at Melbourne Fringe.

• October 12, 2023
• by Donna Demaio, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Tyson Wray, Cher Tan, Cameron Woodhead, Nell Geraets, Hannah Francis and Lefa Singleton Norton