Latest Reviews
Things I Know To Be True
By Nick Pilgrim In an interview with the North American podcaster, Ernie Manouse, the stage and television actress, Valerie Harper, summed up the hectic and unpredictable nature of her career with the following thought. “Life is what happens on the way to your plans.”...
MICF – Jay Wymarra AmaJayus
By Jessica Taurins AmaJayus is a harrowing retelling of a life unlived for a long, long time. The titular Jay - comedian and drag performer Jay Wymarra - grew up in northern Australia as a queer, Indigenous, deeply depressed person... well, at least the story is...
MICF – Demi & David – Comedy Show
By Jessica Taurins Demi & David - Comedy Show (Grocery Store) is like the Wario Ware of comedy shows. Every minute, nay, every second is tied together as loosely as a Woolies bag worn as a t-shirt, with scenes lasting anywhere from a few minutes to six seconds....
The Exact Dimensions of Hell
By Natalie Ristovski CW: This review contains descriptions and discussion of sexual assault and grooming. It is rare in this country to see theatrical works that sidestep the mainstream. Gone are the days when La Fura Dels Baus or Jan Fabre could sneak their way into...
Almighty Sometimes
By Adam Rafferty Winner of the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award Prize for Drama, Kendall Feaver’s excellent Almighty Sometimes feels to have taken too long to reach the Melbourne stage, yet the scheduling of its launch here this week has become eerily timely....
MICF – Adrian Bliss Inside Everyone
By Nick Pilgrim Running for three madcap weeks between March and April, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival grew from modest beginnings almost four decades ago to the world-renowned behemoth it has become today. A mixture of new and established talent, the...
MICF -She Slayed: A Drag Murder Mystery
BY David Gardette Drag cabaret legend Dolly Diamond doesn’t miss a beat in her new show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She Slayed – A Drag Murder Mystery throws together four Drag Divas in a rough around the edges, very silly but laugh out loud...
MICF – The Beaks Stickybeak
By Nick Pilgrim The Beaks - Stickybeak The Tower, Malthouse Theatre Southbank Reviewed on Thursday April 18, 2024 As the Melbourne International Comedy Festival starts winding down for another year, there is still plenty to see and do. Critiquing the 2024 event has...
A Case For The Existence of God
By Darby Turnbull The newest generation of Western plays; where the promises of opportunity, bounty, freedom under a capitalist construct haven’t just been broken but shattered repeatedly; have a very complex relationship with hope. The playwright as both omnipresent...
Features
Laurence Boxhall: The art in Switzerland
A gripping psychological thriller, Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith, makes its way to the Ensemble Theatre next month. A crisp two-hander starring Toni Scanlan (Belvoir’s The Weekend) as Patricia Highsmith, alongside Laurence Boxhall (The Mousetrap Australia),...
Patrick Whitbread: ready to rumble (even in the rain)
When Patrick Whitbread took to the stage in the role of Riff in West Side Story on Sydney Harbour it not only marked his Opera Australia debut, but also his professional debut in a leading role. Whitbread's first ever role was playing Louis in The King and I in...
Conor Leach talks the catharsis of Fourteen
The new smash-hit Australian play, Fourteen, begins its national tour at Riverside Theatres on 3rd May. Based on Shannon Molloy’s award-winning memoir of the same name, Fourteen is the inspirational true story of growing up gay in central Queensland, adapted into a...
Elijah Williams Makes A case for the Existence of God
Acclaimed Seymour Centre favourites, Outhouse Theatre Co (Consent, Ulster American) returns with an Australian premiere from one of America’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights. A case for the Existence of God is Samuel Hunter's heart-wrenching, compassionate,...
Gregory J Wilken talks Toy Symphony at Qtopia, Sydney
By Sarah Skubala Qtopia, Sydney’s inaugural performance season kicks off next month with Michael Gow’s Toy Symphony, presented by Ad Astra Theatre Company, the crown jewel of Brisbane’s professional indie theatre scene. Producer and actor Gregory J Wilken will be...
Sydney Comedy Festival – Ting Lim
Ting Lim – Enmore Theatre Thursday 16 May – Sunday 19 May https://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/event/ting-lim-well-this-is-awkward/ How would you describe the show to someone who knows very little about it? I find it very hard to say no. I’m a yes person. It’s about...
News
SAINT – The Melbourne Magic Festival 9-10 July
Experience the Astonishing Magic Duo of Luke Blaze and Jay Cristo, in their critically acclaimed five-star show "SAINT" as part of the 2024 Melbourne Magic Festival on July 9 and 10 at the Arrow on Swanston, Carlton. After taking the Melbourne Magic Festival...
INCREDIBILIA Magical Theatre Performance for the Family
Riverside Theatres is proud to present Incredibilia the new theatrical adaption of 20 children’s book, by Australian literary treasure Libby Hathorn performing on stage from 29th May to 1st June 2024. Adapted by acclaimed theatre-maker Kim Carpenter (of Theatre of...
Winner of 2023 Best Production for Children, Bangarra Dance Theatre Announces ‘Waru’ 2024 Tour
Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre will tour their stunning work for children, Waru – journey of the small turtle from 26 June to 9 November 2024. Winner of the Sydney Theatre Awards ‘Best...
Rodney Rigby lands fourth Tony Award nomination
NEW MUSICAL WATER FOR ELEPHANTS NOMINATED FOR SEVEN TONY AWARDS Australian producer Rodney Rigby lands fourth Tony Award nomination with Broadway musical Water for Elephants Three-time Tony nominee, Olivier Award and Helpmann Award recipient producer Rodney...
Competitions
Win a double pass to Ghosts.
Win one of 2 double passes to Ghosts. The passes are for the 7:30pm show on Thursday the 30th of May. It’s playing at Theatre Works on Acland Street. To be in the running, please email your response and name to the below question to: ...
Win a double pass to Billy Elliot
Win a double pass to Billy Elliot the Musical by CLOC 8pm Thursday 16th May at the National Theatre, St Kilda To enter, simply email allison.hilbig@theatrematters.com.au with: - Your name - Confirmation you can attend on Thursday 16th May - Why you...
... because theatre matters.
About Us
Theatre Matters is a community group that loves, promotes and discusses all things to do with Australian theatre.