Theatre Archive

The unrepentant but charismatic reprobate Falstaff owns the stage in Bell Shakespeare’s latest work, Henry 4, now at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre until May 26. John Bell has always wanted to play Falstaff, and it shows. He throws himself into the role with evident …

I was very curious about how the extreme violence of A Clockwork Orange, the Anthony Burgess literary classic and the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film, would work on stage. But the Action to the Word Les Currie production, directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, manages to convey the …

This intense drama is worth catching, as much for the strength of the Stephen Adly Guirgis script as for the capable performances if its five cast members. Under the direction of Adam Cook, all the actors shine in their pivotal scenes. Troy …

Multi-award winning hit Broadway play The Motherf**ker With the Hat is a foul-mouthed fast moving farce about love, fidelity and haberdashery. Fresh from rehab and under the guidance of his smooth-talking sponsor Ralph D, Jackie is clean, on parole and ready to begin …

Fans of The Addams Family 1960s cult TV series will love the musical now at the Capitol Theatre until April 28. Younger fans are more likely to remember the 1990s films starring Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia but whatever your history with this …

Katurian is a writer with little success but great self belief. He is the Grimm Brothers incarnate, spinning twisted tales about secluded houses in the woods and little girls swallowing razor blades. But the strangest story of all is the one in which Katurian …

Short + Sweet, the world’s biggest short play festival, delivered an interesting selection of short plays this year with a quirky movement-based piece taking out first prize last Saturday night at the Seymour Centre. After a nine-week season showcasing 170 ten-minute plays …

Just when I thought I could no longer pull men, I went to the launch of the Sydney Comedy Festival and found I was wrong. A little hairy and maybe a tad under age, my new escort was gallant, affectionate and affable, …

What’s it like to direct Australian living treasure John Bell? Jove for Sport Theatre artistic director Damien Ryan can offer some insight. Ryan is co-directing the first Bell Shakespeare production for 2013, Henry 4, in which Bell plays Falstaff as well as directing. …

This work is an eclectic showcase of 12 solo performances by some of the best dancers from the independent dance sector in Australia. Slow Dances for Fast Times opened at the Carriageworks on March 6. As always when visiting Carriageworks I was …