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A scene from The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale.

Hobbits in the aisles: The Lord of the Rings musical is a valiant effort

It may seem like a fool’s errand, but condensing a 1200-page trilogy into a singing-dancing performance mostly delivers.

  • Sonia Nair, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen and Jessica Nicholas

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At an exclusive Oxford dining club, ten wealthy young men gather for a night of indulgence, revelry, and destruction.

Posh boys run riot in a night dissecting power and privilege

Laura Wade’s 2010 play, Posh, is loosely based on the carry-ons of an all-male Oxford student club known for lavish dinners and appalling behaviour.

  • Joyce Morgan
Les Miserables - The Arena Spectacular.

A stirring Les Miserables serves up a late surprise

Our critics take in the latest performances around town.

  • John Shand, Peter McCallum, Kate Prendergast and Joyce Morgan
I just got back from the Windy City… Naomi Price in the title role of Calamity Jane.

Saddle up, Brisbane: Calamity Jane gallops into town a Wild West winner

After selling out in capitals around the country, this outrageously entertaining indie smash has finally arrived in Brisbane.

  • Nick Dent
William McKenna looking at Steve Mouzakis in a scene from The Removalists.

Sharp and savage: This iconic story is still shockingly relevant

This restaging of The Removalists by Melbourne Theatre Company shows that the play is just as unsettling and important now as it was in 1971.

  • Cameron Woodhead, Jessica Nicholas and Tony Way
Cigarettes After Sex perform at Rod Laver Arena on March 11.

Their music conjures private moments – so how did they pull off an arena show?

Cigarettes After Sex defies the stadium setting, delivering the same intensity and intimacy as if they were playing a hazy club in the middle of nowhere.

  • Nadia Bailey, Andrew Fuhrmann, Karl Quinn, Jessica Nicholas and Cameron Woodhead
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Jill Ogai starred in the Australian Ballet’s performance of Carmen.

Australian Ballet’s Carmen misses heights of dark passion

A few spine-tingling moments, yes, but this austere contemporary-dance interpretation of a classic story of desire, jealousy and murder was weirdly hollow.

  • Andrew Fuhrmann, Will Cox, Michael Dwyer, Karl Quinn, Sonia Nair and Cameron Woodhead
Caroline Brazier and Hayley McElhinney in August: Osage County.

Perth Festival saves best until last with Black Swan/Belvoir Street’s stunning take on American classic

Black Swan/Belvoir Street’s co-production of August: Osage County is the best-ever show at the State Theatre Centre, writes Mark Naglazas.

  • Mark Naglazas
Maddison Burridge stars as Elizabeth Bennet in Queensland Theatre’s production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

A hilarious Pride and Prejudice hits the stage

Big on LOLs and brilliantly cast, Queensland Theatre’s take on the classic novel is every bit the crowd pleaser it aims to be.

  • Nick Dent
Lord Mayor Nick Reece at the Regent Theatre. He pledged during his campaign to be elected lord mayor to sell the council’s share in the theatre.

‘I got it wrong’: Lord mayor abandons plan to sell Regent Theatre

Nick Reece says he failed to appreciate the level of support among Melburnians for the heritage-listed venue on Collins Street.

  • Cara Waters

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/theatre-reviews-jp6