Observer

OBSERVER: Wizard of Oz

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

PLOS Musical Productions once again delighted audiences of mixed ages with their holiday production The Wizard of Oz at the Frankston Arts Centre.Malcom Huddle’s superb orchestra instantly transported us into the magical world, beautifully rendering the familiar tunes.Director Michael Mitchell remained faithful to the core message of the show in his interpretation, but writes in…

OBSERVER: Legends In Concert

Legends in Concert, presented by The Harbour Agency, has returned to The Palms at Crown Casino in Southbank for its eighth Melbourne season.Legends’ popularity is evident through its 1983 Las Vegas debut to being revered as the longest-running Vegas show. Melbourne annually welcomes Legends back to The Palms which provides the perfect concert/cabaret Las Vegas…

OBSERVER: Australian Open

Playwright Angus Cameron examines gender and societal expectations around relationships in a manner that is humorous, disarming but unerringly accurate.A somewhat narcissistic tennis ace, Lucas (Eddie Orton) is in a relationship with a less secure Felix (Sebastian Li).They are contemplating an open marriage to the chagrin of Felix’s parents, the deferential Peter (Alec Gilbert) and…

OBSERVER: Piper’s Playhouse

The launch of Piper’s Playhouse at Crown Casino brings a new daring, flamboyant venue to Melbourne with all the intimacy of cabaret in its purist form.Hints of illusion beckoned as we were ushered into the rich red velvet nightclub and seated at a ringside table.The mystery continued when a creature’s paw parted curtains serving our…

OBSERVER: Wind In The Willows

There were no willow trees and no wind, but the setting for the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Wind in the Willows was as perfect as you could ever imagine.With more than 100 audience members in attendance at our session, and the sun beating down just a little too fiercely, we were lucky to score a seat…

OBSERVER: John’s Pops Were Tops

It was Christmas time and the once a year time for John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra to perform a mix of their various Christmas and New Year themed recitals as part of their regular 10-day Holiday Concerts. Something they have specialised in for many years.Whether it be at Hamer Hall, the Melbourne Recital Centre or…

OBSERVER: City Gallery

City Gallery announces On The Street Where I Live: Viva Gibb’s portrait of North and West Melbourne, a landmark exhibition celebrating the work of Melbourne artist and social documentary photographer Viva Jillian Gibb (1945–2017).Opening March 12, this exhibition, curated by Savannah Smith of the City of Melbourne’s Art and Heritage Collection team, marks the largest…

OBSERVER: Teddy Bear’s Picnic

During early summer there was an air of mystery hanging over the St Kilda Botanical Gardens as parents and little ones were challenged with solving who had kidnapped Bobby the Bear.The Melbourne Shakespeare Company brought the Annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic to the historic gardens with a talented cast of five each playing various characters, as…

OBSERVER: Written On Stone

What would you expect to see on a gravestone? Perhaps a heartfelt message of love for the deceased, along with the usual dates and names.Queensland author Julie Holland (pictured) has a different take on gravestones, having discovered the American tradition of gravestone recipes, and that tradition takes centre stage in her latest novel, Written On…

OBSERVER: Drawing Program

Artist and educator Belinda Wilson is inviting adults to explore the art of life drawing through Drawing Together, an eight-week program designed to foster creativity and social connection.Commencing Wednesday, February 11, at Kingston Arts Centre, the program offers participants the opportunity to work from a professional live model in a relaxed studio environment.All skill levels…