Observer

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

OSMaD: Come From Away. Until December 13 at the Geoffrey McComas Theatre, Scotch College Campus, 1 Morrison St., Hawthorn. Director: Daragh Wills; Music Director: David Barr. Bookings: osmad.com.auThink First Theatre Company: A Christmas Presence (Written and directed by Elizabeth Semmel) December 13 at 11am/2pm, December 14 at 11am, December 19 at 7pm, December 20 at…

OBSERVER: Vale Arthur Higgins

Former Melbourne television newsman Arthur Higgins died on Saturday, November 29 at age 85.His daughter Gemma Dewar made the sad announcement. Arthur have battled a number of health conditions with cheer and courage for some years.In recent times he had lived at Kilmore, near family, but it was a long way from his first days…

OBSERVER: DIVA Exhibition

DIVA, an acclaimed international exhibition developed by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum celebrating some of history’s most provocative and powerful divas, will open the new Australian Museum of Performing Arts on December 11.An Australian exclusive, DIVA will feature more than 250 objects including 60 spectacular costumes, jewellery, photography, art and music drawn from the V…

OBSERVER: A Christmas Presence

Think First Theatre Company presents the family musical play A Christmas Presence on December 13, 14, 19 and 20 at the Mills Street Warehouse Theatre, Mills St, Cheltenham.The show is written and directed by Elizabeth Semmel, who describes the production as “a Mary and Joseph Christian story told in a fun, musical way, with shepherds,…

OBSERVER: Sleeping Beauty

n Encore Theatre will treat audiences to a traditional pantomime titled Sleeping Beauty from January 8 – 17 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St, Clayton.Written by Helen Gard and directed by David Dodd, the show is described as “a magical tale of fairies, true love, curses and spinning wheels”.Princess Kathryn is about to celebrate her…

OBSERVER: Coo-ee to Marie

Monday, December 1, 2025

Congratulations to Trek Musicals, founded in 2016 by Graham Ford, to produce and tour new Australian musicals, on showcasing Coralie McKenzie’s A Coo-ee To Marie, a tribute to Australia’s Queen of Irish song – Marie Narelle.With co-directors Darren Rosenfeld and Michael Try, Coralie takes us back to the early twentieth century on a journey to…

OBSERVER: December music

One of the best things for classical music lovers about December is the wealth of concerts full of Christmas music.Melbourne Bach Choir has planned a real festival of music for the Christmas season with choral pieces by composers from the 16th to 21st centuries together with well known carols with audience participation and brass and…

OBSERVER: Afterglow

S. Asher Gelman’s international hit play Afterglow is heading down under for its highly anticipated Australian premiere.Afterglow will play at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel from January 30 – February 21 , presented by Midnight Theatricals.The three-man cast comprises Julian Curtis (Gaslight, Cock, Dance Academy), gold medal winning Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham (Strangers in Between, Jock…

OBSERVER: Much Ado About Nothing

Upon entry to the Sumner Theatre a white scaffolded double storey building centre stage greeted us; its total façade virtually covered by a pale blue replica of Sam Newman’s early 2000s infamous Pamela Anderson wall.In designer Anna Cordingley’s set, complimented by Katie Sfetkidis lighting , everything was visible – voyeurism suggested?Voyeurism satisfied, as we delved…

OBSERVER: The Tale of Pinocchio

Heidelberg Theatre Company presents HTC Youth’s The Tale of Pinocchio from December 5-13 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna.Written, directed and acted by younger members of the company, participants are aged from about 12 to late 20s,with the show aimed at children from aged about eight as well as adults.The play tells of Geppetto, a lonely…