A cutting-edge breakthrough for Edward Scissorhands
The ballet of the Tim Burton pop culture classic has itself been turned into a film.
Stage
The eccentric poise of ever-private Ms Smith
Maggie Smith’s voice – a drawl capable of giving an apparently innocuous remark a thousand different meanings.
‘The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end’
When Sir Ian McKellen fell off a stage in June many thought it spelled the beginning of the end for the acting legend – but the outspoken 85-year-old is back on his feet, and has plenty left to say.
Gladys: The all-singing, dancing political saga
The fall from grace of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has been transformed into a ‘musical journey’ for the Sydney Fringe Festival.
Titanique turns tragedy into laughs
Celine Dion’s songs will go on, and on, if the newest hit musical about one of the great maritime tragedies is anything to go by.
Clever crew delivers intimate telling of Dalton tales
An ensemble cast brings to the stage Trent Dalton’s Love Stories, collected when the writer asked strangers to share their tales of romance, rejection, and regret.
Titanique creators are here to change theatre forever
As the Celine Dion-powered musical reimagining of James Cameron’s blockbuster docks in Sydney, its creators say the future of theatre no longer belongs to ‘old crotchety men’.
Drama-hit Opera Australia changes tune after shock exit
The nation’s biggest performing arts company will not replace its artistic director role, just three weeks after the abrupt departure of Jo Davies.
Oscar: the greatest love story never told
Oscar Wilde, and the literary giant’s ‘too-muchness’, is a wonderful subject with an extraordinarily rich score but the ballet is still in search of an ideal form.
Dahl hated Jewish people like me – but I don’t want to cancel him
The beloved children’s writer often said Israel was like Nazi Germany. The author of a radical new play explains why now is the right time to examine his racism.
Clare Bowditch on the reality of writing a book, rock and roll and parenting
The Australian singer who from early childhood had “a good feeling” in her bones about music, offers a message of hope.
‘It’s wild, it’s bold’: Freak show fit for all
From a risqué Gaultier revue, to a new Australian opera and a Trent Dalton crowd pleaser, the 2024 program appeals to many different audiences.
Trent Dalton takes journalism to the stage
Journalism runs in Trent Dalton’s veins and that’s why it was important the adaptation of his best-selling book, Love Stories, appropriately honoured the tales of joy, heartache and passion everyday Australians entrusted to him.
Why different body types in ballet ‘are a road to freedom’
Of the recent furore in which a critic upbraided The Australian Ballet’s dancers for being too thin, star choreographer Graeme Murphy is circumspect.
James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
The actor, who gave voice to characters like Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, went on to collect Tonys, Golden Globes, Emmys, and an honorary Oscar.
Soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon on music and the experience that changed her life
The opera star is commemorating a more than 20-year battle between British colonists and Gunditjmara Aboriginal people in what is now called the Western District area of southwest Victoria.
New Zealand’s first prima ballerina lit up the world stage
Rowena Jackson astounded critics and audiences with her athletic and beautiful style, and her freakish ability to twirl.
WA Ballet takes on fair Verona
West Australan Ballet’s take on a classic gleams with saturated colours for the warring families. But can the choreography keep up with the glorious music?
‘We can all do better at engaging people you have every right to despise’
From the STC to the MSO, Australia’s arts community is deeply divided over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Knighted composer Johnathan Mills says it’s time to stop beating around the bush on the Middle East and identity politics.
Company scrambles as opera boss quits
Opera Australia artistic director Jo Davies has sensationally left the national company over ‘differences of opinion’, less than a year into her contract.
A slow train coming, but worth the wait
The first Torres Strait Islander musical recalls an incredible, world’s-best feat performed while building WA’s Mount Newman railway.
Hallberg’s opportunity of a lifetime
The Australian Ballet will next year welcome revered choreographer William Forsythe to Australia to shape a work on the dancers for the first time.
‘Enfant terrible’ returns to Oz stage
One of the country’s most talented and controversial directors will headline the 2025 Adelaide Festival, the prestigious arts jamboree in turmoil after the resignation of its much-vaunted international director.
A contemporary dance piece inspired by … Canberra?
Award-winning choreographer Melanie Lane presents a radical vision of the nation’s capital in Mountain, a contemporary dance work costumed by legendary Australian designer Akira Isogawa.
The moment Celia Pacquola knew she was funny
Celia Pacquola on being a professional pretender and the unusual gift an ex can give.
Cancelled pianist says he refuses to be apolitical
Jayson Gillham has broken his silence after being dropped by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra over onstage comments in support of journalists killed in Gaza during a show this month.
US comedian Eric Andre says he was ‘racially profiled’ at Melbourne Airport
The Emmy-nominated comedian said he felt ‘unsafe’ after being placed in a line where he was ‘sniffed thoroughly by a dog’: ‘I shouldn’t be made to feel that I am unaccented by entering a country.’
Penn Jillette: ‘I want to be scared to death’
The American magician, author and podcast host confesses on his Bob Dylan fandom, mastery, learning upright bass, money, and 50 years of performing alongside Teller.
Aussies to follow from Fringe to centre stage
Australian performers flock to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and this year’s crop are worthy successors to Tim Minchin and Hannah Gadsby.
‘Wear shoes, don’t bring weapons’: What to expect from the Lord of the Rings musical
This production – triggered by a funding crisis at a regional British theatre – tells JRR Tolkien’s story in a way audiences have not seen before. We take you behind the scenes on the eve of the Australian tour.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/page/3