Hobbit heaven as Middle-earth musical moves Down Under
For the first time, a stage musical version of revered fantasy series The Lord of the Rings is heading to Australia.
Stage
Fresh score to the fore of a cult classic
The 1971 Australian film classic Wake in Fright is being given new life with a score by Surprise Chef, who will perform it live at screenings for the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Fancy a private Beyonce show? The fixers behind the exclusive gigs
Celine Dion does it, so does Chris Martin – but not Taylor Swift or U2. How do you get a megastar to play your front room?
New STC boss will uphold on-stage protest ban
Sydney Theatre Company’s new artistic director Mitchell Butel says he plans to push the company in a more commercial direction and will uphold the ban of political protests on stage.
How Trent Dalton confronted the truth about his own love story
‘Good father, OK husband, shithouse lover’. In adapting his book Love Stories with his wife for a new play, Trent Dalton decides to remove his rose-coloured glasses and face up to his flaws.
Playwright lifts curtain on ‘absurd’ content warnings
Andrew Bovell calls on playwrights to ‘push back’ against the escalating trigger warning trend in theatre, because such warnings were often inaccurate, contained huge spoilers and could damage a play’s reputation.
Hamilton makes a triumphant return to the stage in Sydney
Like Hair in the 1960s and Rent in the 1990s, Hamilton is the defining musical of the 2000s; a game-changer.
Ballet denies claims after shock exit of artistic director
Speculation is now swirling after an announcement that rocked the arts world.
Why ballet director walked out of top job early
Former ballet star Leanne Benjamin says she was ‘encouraged’ to pursue her vision as artistic director of Queensland Ballet – the same vision that has been cited as a reason for her shock departure.
Queensland Ballet’s new high-profile artistic chief quits
Former Royal Ballet star Leanne Benjamin is making a shock leadership exit after just a few months as the prestigious company’s artistic director.
A Titanic parody show docks in Sydney
The cult hit Titanique, debuting in Australia in September, poses the question: What if Celine Dion set sail on the doomed cruise liner in 1912, and lived to tell the tale?
Sweltering, salsa-infused fun: In the Heights is impossible to resist
Passion is the main game in the Sydney Opera House’s scintillating production of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s shaggy dog love letter to Washington Heights.
Doll changed Lawler’s career and national life
Ray Lawler went each day to the Melbourne Public Library and did nothing but write for one and a half years, creating a ‘state-of-the-nation’ play.
Playwright Ray Lawler dies aged 103
Melbourne playwright Ray Lawler, whose landmark play, Summer of the 17th Doll, changed the direction of Australian theatre, has died.
From cult disciple to free speech advocate
Megan Phelps-Roper still deals with the fallout from leaving a sect dubbed America’s ‘most hated’ family. That hasn’t stopped her from tackling our era’s most divisive social issue.
Penn & Teller back for magic milestone
To mark their 50th anniversary as a performance team, the famed American magicians will return in the new year for a run of shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
‘We’re here to be understood, not necessarily liked’
Lin Manuel-Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton has been praised for its ‘colour-blind casting’. The cast of the upcoming Sydney production say it is a pathway to powerful roles.
Mentor Bella ready to square the ledger
For actress Bella Heathcote, winning the Heath Ledger Scholarship was ‘a godsend,’ now she’s ready to return the favour.
No set? No worries. Venice coup for Back to Back theatre
Geelong’s Back to Back theatre has received the Venice Biennale Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, making it the third Australian participant in the ‘art Olympics’ this year to take out a top honour.
Actually speaking your mind? Now there’s an idea
In a climate where cancellation is paramount and protesters have become primary ticket purchasers, Festival of Dangerous Ideas director Danielle Harvey says ‘one of the hardest things to do is to be curious these days’.
Australian Ballet chief stands down
The Australian Ballet’s executive director Lissa Twomey will leave the national company after just 18 months in the role.
Bangarra reaches across ditch, and for stars, on new work Horizon
Bangarra’s dancers are a formidable group, and they shine here, even against the backdrop of some questionable creative decisions.
Australian Ballet chasing Billy Elliots of the bush
Blundstones are soon to be traded in for silk slippers as a new initiative spearheaded by the Australian Ballet aims to spread the love for the classical art in bush towns across the country.
Theatregoers rip up their subscriptions
Patrons have cancelled subscriptions and demanded answers from Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre after cast and crew published a ‘grossly one-sided’ pro-Palestine statement.
That which we call love is just as sweet
Love is love. If you want three words to sum up Romeo and Juliet Suite, they’re the ones.
Sunset dimmed in new production
This particular musical needs a director with a keen eye for character, balance and dramatic nuance. But this production overwhelms us with melody and underplays the meaning of the lyrics.
Threats, abuse, as Conway targeted by pro-Palestine protest
Footage has emerged from a Hobart theatre as pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a performance by the Jewish singer songwriter Deborah Conway | WATCH
Tosca takes over centre court
Opera Australia’s spectacular season-opening production of Puccini’s classic is being staged on a famous tennis arena.
Rowling trans rift with Potter actors turns into a stage drama
Its plot is so explosive the biggest Edinburgh Fringe promoters turned it down, but a show dramatising the rift between JK Rowling and the stars of the Harry Potter film series is to go ahead.
Theatre for snowflakes: the creep of trigger warnings
Trigger warnings are being slapped on everything from dead moths to shirtless men, amid fears audience members could take offence. Eminent theatre figures have had enough.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/page/4