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theatre

theatre May 27, 2017

MTC’s ‘Minnie & Liraz’

Peter Craven In Lally Katz’s latest play, the MTC fails to capture the dramatist’s magic, despite fine performances by two grand dames of the stage.

theatre April 8, 2017

Red Stitch Theatre’s ‘Rules for Living’

Peter Craven

In the style of Alan Ayckbourn, Sam Holcroft’s Rules for Living for Red Stitch portrays middle-class disarray at its most engaging.

theatre February 11, 2017

The Book of Mormon

Peter Craven The Book of Mormon, from the creators of South Park, is a blasphemous riot of bad taste, making it a musical not to be missed.

theatre February 24, 2017

MTC’s ‘John’

Peter Craven Sarah Goodes’ MTC production of John features two actors at the height of their powers, in a drama from the master playwright Annie Baker.

opera December 10, 2016

Opera Australia’s Ring cycle

Peter Craven Neil Armfield’s stark but powerful Ring delivers Wagner’s masterpiece as a triumph of the Australian stage, as good as could be imagined anywhere.

theatre November 26, 2016

Red Stitch Theatre’s ‘Uncle Vanya’

Peter Craven Nadia Tass’s production of Uncle Vanya for Red Stitch suffers from some pretensions, but a superb cast does the incomparable Chekhov justice.

television November 12, 2016

Rose Byrne in David Mamet’s ‘Speed-the-Plow’

Steve Dow After conquering Hollywood, Rose Byrne returns to Australia to take on Mamet for the STC.

theatre October 22, 2016

‘Switzerland’ at MTC

Peter Craven Joanna Murray-Smith’s drama about thriller writer Patricia Highsmith’s dying days sequestered in Switzerland is brilliant, sinister entertainment in the Hitchcock mode.

theatre September 17, 2016

MTC’s ‘Disgraced’

Peter Craven The brilliance of the MTC’s latest production, Disgraced, completes a trifecta of fine Australian shows.

theatre August 6, 2016

Malthouse Theatre's ‘Edward II’

Peter Craven A new production of Marlowe’s classic Edward II strips back the original until what remains is a flat facsimile.

theatre July 9, 2016

Malthouse Theatre’s ‘The Events’

Peter Craven A masterful portrayal of the survivor of a mass shooting bears witness to the challenges of faith, healing and compassion.