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.
Stage
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/page/4