Ever engaging, ever provocative Currency House’s Platform papers are an invaluable source of information, encouragement, cultural dreaming and just the right amount of intellectual dissent – and Number 26 “Not Just an Audience- Young People Transforming Our Theatre” isn’t any different. Read more

AUDITION CALL: OPEN WORKSHOP
16 April, 2-4pm at Shopfront Contemporary Arts & Performance
for artists ranging between 12-25 years old to create a brand new multi-media performance on the theme of Change and Consequence. Read more

It is indeed wonderful to see ATYP embracing not only new Australian writing, but new Australian writing during the pre-Mardi Gras hub-bub of the Mardi Gras festival is fantastic. Read more

Two discussions in a week. Pretty big discussions. It seems Sydney is bracing itself for a change of government – a foregone conclusion considering the haphazard nature of our public transport system and the swinging voters of the west, so they say. So what happens when change is threatening? A small group mobilizes and others seem to sit on chairs and philosophize about art. Read more

I can’t help but support those who are brave enough to put their money where their mouth is – or their heart is -and produce their own show. Read more

In an industry obsessed with youth and beauty and the next hot thing – what happens to the performer as they age? Theatre is largely about energy – the energy exchange between director and performer, then performer and audience. And it appears the stayers in the industry are those, who may not necessarily have the most “talent,” but those who have the most stamina. Read more

Belvoir. No longer with the “St Theatre” tail, tagging behind. Like Madonna or Oprah. This company needs no explanation… it’s built it’s reputation – and now the new artistic directorate (complete with a shiny brand new literary manager Anthea Williams) – is busy defining it’s new direction. There’s a fresh coat of paint in the foyer – lollipop ice-cream parlor colours to offset the new flavours, the new taste (?) of the Belvoir pick’n’mix. There’s been an overhaul. The print program look different – all but one artistic associate from the old Neil Armfield family remains in the form of a new work associate… And I am very curious to see how the old guard respond to this shift in aesthetic. Read more

“Doctor Zhivago a new musical”- and a bold, new Australian production has launched itself in the Lyric Theatre at Star City. In the tradition of grand musicals of the early-mid 1980s such as Les Miserables (1985) and Phantom of the Opera (1986), Doctor Zhivago is the classic story of the power of passion and politics, produced by Australian John Frost OAM with Anthony Warlow at the helm in the title role. In recent weeks there has been much in the media about Warlow and a torn calf muscle – and the usual punters demanding money back/replacement tickets… and it’s been pretty comprehensive. Warlow is the darling patriarch of Australia’s Musical Theatre industry and his name attached to a project immediately makes it news worthy. Interestingly, opposite him are two fairly young rising stars of the industry – Lucy Maunder and Taneel Van Zyl. The posters, banners, taxi advertisements have been everywhere – CDs have appeared as a free bonus in magazines and with Valentine’s Day roses. It’s been everywhere and just may be one of the grandest musicals to premiere this year. Read more

It’s well after the fact but I thought I would write a little note about MINTO: LIVE – not really as a means of review – but to raise awareness about performance which happens where you least expect it. It’s not a press-sexy topic really is it? I think the daily telegraph did a pre-show feature: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/specials/sydney-festival-2011/streets-ahead-in-minto-for-sydney-festival-for-minto-live/story-fn7fmlou-1225988944747 But largely this style of work is often left out of critical debate, or even discussion… but then again, arts commentary in Sydney, if not Australia is relegated to a very minute slice of the print press pie (is it 350 words for the Blake’s reviews) and unless it features the glossy stars of film, TV or theatre of yore – you won’t find a huge amount of coverage or commentary on community theatre, or performance made by and for and about specific communities. Read more

Another night at the opera with James Waites… it’s a slow education. Three hours every so often, we venture into the right hand sails of the Sydney Opera House for the next lesson. Read more