Arts
★★★★
Review
The glory and ugliness of showbiz laid bare in this razor-sharp show
There’s no one better to take us behind the curtain of Australia’s musical theatre world than Christie Whelan Browne.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Latest
‘Victory for spinster theatregoers’ after Arts Centre denied tourist a ticket
Melbourne Arts Centre changed its ticketing policy after fielding criticism for what some said was discrimination against single theatregoers.
- by Nick Miller
Exclusive
Performing arts
One of ballet’s busiest superstars is making the big leap to Melbourne
Russian-born Daniil Simkin is famed for his extraordinary leaps and spins, and exquisite control. He’s here to play the fool, literally.
- by Nick Miller
Exclusive
Roads
Heide Museum asks state for expansion to offset North East Link disappointment
Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen will ask the Andrews government to consider building it a new gallery, with one of its proposed sites for an added wing on a neighbouring golf course owned by pokies billionaire Bruce Mathieson.
- by Clay Lucas
This Picasso show gives you all the clues to find the man behind the myth
Picasso was seen as the progenitor of modern art: prolific, audacious, revolutionary, passionate, intuitive, a metaphorical matador with a licence to be cruel.
- by Robert Nelson
So that was our first Rising arts festival. Did it live up to the hype?
Dance lovers had plenty of reasons to kick up their heels, the music program was expansive – but theatre was patchy and the White Night side was a damp squib.
- by Cameron Woodhead
★★★★
Rising Festival
Manifesto: when high-concept contemporary dance meets cheerleading
This dancing manifesto created by Melbourne-based choreographer Stephanie Lake is a call for more flash and more sizzle. And it’s thumping good fun.
- by Emma Sullivan, Carla Jaeger, Andrew Fuhrmann and Cameron Woodhead
The Kid Laroi proves again to be the voice of a generation
The Kid Laroi oozed charisma, inspiring an arena full of people to recite every syllable of his multi-billion streamed emo-rap compositions.
- by Brenton Harris
★★★★★
Performing arts
Yes, Dorian Gray is that good. It’s tour de force theatre you mustn’t miss
This show is a timely reminder that – even during a pandemic – Australia can produce world-class theatre capable of taking the West End and Broadway by storm.
- by Cameron Woodhead
When dancers touch: the push for real consent in this intimate art form
‘Intimacy coaches’ are helping dancers regain their power, advising on consent and choreography. But are Australian companies doing enough?
- by Emma Sullivan
In Melbourne’s west, a new frontier for the arts is finding its power
The Retreat is a film about breaking down our hidebound cultural structures and networks so new artistic talents can find ways to shine.
- by Stephen A Russell