Latest Reviews
THIRTY-SIX
By Darby Turnbull. What a monumental thrill it is to see a flourishing, expansive canon of local trans theatre emerge. Not just theatre that includes trans talent but work that is so stark, so authentic and piercing in its transness. After the grotesque burlesque...
From the Shadows
By Karyn Lee Greig. Pursuing an artistic or vocational passion of any sort, for most of your life, is something to be admired. I know engineers that are still working well into their 80s. Actors such as the award-winning Glenda Jackson was an acclaimed British actress...
Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen
By Jessica Taurins. Standup comedians are interesting folk, usually. Too distracted for acting, too gleeful for drama, too inherently depressed to do anything but measure their own worth against the sounds of the laughter in the room... They're freaks, some would say....
Alice in Wonderland
By Karyn Lee Greig. Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was not only an English author and poet but also a mathematician, photographer and Anglican deacon. Carroll first told an outline of Alice in Wonderland to 10-year-old family friend, Alice Liddell, who...
The Wind in the Willows
By Jennifer Beasley. A delight in every way, Toad of Toad Hall, resplendent in all his manic toady fads, journeys with his companions through themes of friendship and love in the Botanic Gardens. It’s always been a dream of mine to witness The Wind In The Willows at...
Imagine Live
By Karyn Lee Greig. Alison Lester is one of Australia’s most preeminent, beloved and bestselling children’s author illustrators. The description that ‘her stories mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the...
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By Nick Pilgrim. In my fifteen years of reviewing for Theatre Matters (previously known as Theatre People), I have had the privilege to witness first-hand the continual growth and evolution of what constitutes live theatre. From shows which push technical boundaries...
ELF The Musical
Review by Nic Conolly "I like smiling, smiling’s my favourite!" and Elf certainly made that happen! Performed at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, this production by John Frost for Crossroads Live in association with Shake & Stir Theatre Company is a...
The 3 Little Pigs
By Karyn Lee Greig The story of The 3 Little Pigs has its origins in European folklore, dating back to oral tradition. However, the earliest published version of the story is from Dartmoor, Devon, England in 1853, about three little pixies and a fox instead of the...
Features
Joe Paradise Lui and Merlynn Tong Talk Legends (Of The Golden Arches)
Written, directed and starring Joe Paradise Lui and Merlynn Tong, Legends (Of The Golden Arches) is a rip-roaring ride plunging two best friends into the depths of the Chinese afterlife. A piece many years in the making, the show premieres its 2025 season shortly,...
Jessica Wilson Opening New Types of Dialogues in Shadows in Twin Cities
Shadows in Twin Cities brings together children from Jeonju (Korea) and Melbourne (Australia) in unusual conversations between each other and their city landscapes. The children meet and connect via life-sized screens. It's unusual and candid one-on-one exchange...
Alyssa Mastromanno delivers her message of curiosity and courage in The Wind in the Willows
Melbourne’s beloved family classic, The Wind in the Willows, returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens this summer. Presented by The Australian Shakespeare Company, The Wind in the Willows celebrates its 38th year of outdoor theatre family entertainment. Actor Alyssa...
Wuthering Heights and its relevance today
As a child growing up in Britain, Emma Rice would go on family walks, stumbling over the moors in the cold and rainy weather to a place called Top Withens, a ruined farmhouse near Haworth, West Yorkshire, England, which is said to have been the inspiration for...
Keanu Gonzalez: One Day in September
Keanu Gonzalez has been wowing audiences in the Australian tour of Grease The Musical playing the iconic role of Kenickie. But before Grease heads north to open in Brisbane early in the new year, Keanu Gonzalez is relishing the opportunity to create a brand new...
RED STITCH 2025 SEASON LAUNCH
By Jennifer Beasley. Look out 2025- Red Stitch Theatre heralds 5 bold new plays! I was very keen to be part of this 2025 season launch by Red Stitch Theatre. As one of the smaller theatres, it has consistently produced high quality productions over its 24-year...
News
Moorabbin Music + Arts returns with a packed program of live music, art and family fun
This February, the Kingston Arts Precinct comes alive with Moorabbin Music + Arts, a vibrant community celebration of live music, contemporary art, and free family activities. Running from 21 to 23 February, the festival offers an exciting opportunity to support local...
Arts House kicks off 2025 season in partnership with Asia TOPA
Arts House launches Season 1 2025 with two Australian premieres presented in partnership with Asia TOPA: Goldfish by Terrapin in association with Aichi Prefectural Theater and Fire Drill Scenario by Geumhyung Jeong. Goldfish asks: what role should humanity, and the...
The Australian Girls Choir to Join Opera Australia for BMW Opera For All At Fed Square This Summer
The final month of Summer in Melbourne will connect icons of Australian arts and culture in the free public event BMW Opera for All. The Australian Girls Choir and performers from Orchestra Victoria will join Opera Australia, the country's largest performing arts...
Adam Kay – This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
Adam Kay is a former doctor turned BAFTA-winning comedian and author of This is Going to Hurt, the bestselling nonfiction book of the century. BAFTA-winning comedian and bestselling author Adam Kay returns to our shores with his phenomenal show This Is Going to Hurt....
Competitions
Win Tix to Our Monster’s Name is Jerry
Win one of 2 double passes for the upcoming season of Our Monster’s Name is Jerry for the 7:30pm show on Saturday the 15th of February, playing at Theatre Works on Acland Street in St Kilda. To be in eh running, please send your response to the below question to:...
Win a double pass to Phantom of the Opera – in cinema!
Win a double pass to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall in cinemas from Thursday 31st October To enter simply email allison.hilbig@theatrematters.com.au with your name and why you want to win a double pass to see The Phantom of the Opera at the...
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About Us
Theatre Matters is a community group that loves, promotes and discusses all things to do with Australian theatre.