Observer

OBSERVER: Fairytalers

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Fairy tales have a very long history. Folk tales and fairy stories are not just made-up fantasies without connection to reality.These stories often recall women’s lived experiences. The real-life inventors of these stories were themselves branded witches, imprisoned in towers, accused of treason, and the focus of scandals.Long before the Brothers Grimm published their versions…

OBSERVER: Tarzan The Stage Musical

Tarzan, The Stage Musical is based on the Disney film and was produced by James Terry Collective.The stage version runs true to the book written by Tony Award winner, David Henry Hwang, and uses an expanded Phil Collins score.Clever use of graphics brings to life the shipwreck that brings the young infant to the shores…

OBSERVER: New Director for Malthouse

Malthouse Theatre has announced the appointment of Dean Bryant as its next Artistic Director, to commence in October.Bryant brings to the role a career marked by extraordinary range—from new plays to musicals, opera to cabaret, satire to documentary theatre—with a talent for creating work that’s theatrically bold, culturally resonant and emotionally charged.His arrival signals a…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre

SHOWS Williamstown Little Theatre: The Hollow Crown (by John Barton) Until September 20 at 3-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Peter Newling. Bookings:  wlt.org.au/book-ticketsMordialloc Theatre Company: Broadway Bound (by Neil Simon) Until September 13 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Michelle Swann) Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.auHeidelberg Theatre Company: Other Desert Cities (Jon Robin Baitz)…

OBSERVER: Rourke’s Reviews

Splitsville(MA). 105 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas September 11.With romantic comedies having become largely bland and juvenile over recent decades, it is refreshing to see Splitsville, a funny and occasionally bruising film that benefits from a strong cast and some clever writing.The film opens with married couple Carey (Kyle Marvin, who feels like a cross…

OBSERVER: Dog Man The Musical

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Dog Man: The Musical , the performance adventure based on Dav Pilkey’s bestselling book series, returns to Melbourne for the school holidays from September 30 to October 4 at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne.Directed by Jason Langley and musically directed by Bev Kennedy, the show follows the chronicles of a canine superhero who loves to…

OBSERVER: Chip On Her Shoulder

Chip on Her Shoulder, presented in partnership with Theatre Works, will be presented at the Explosives Factory Theatre Works from October 7 -11.An Aussie living in New York, chasing a Broadway dream, sounds like a recipe for success, or disaster.This October, Chip On Her Shoulder, starring Vanessa Buckley (Doctor Doctor, La Brea, Home and Away)…

OBSERVER: Cluedo

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Cluedo, the murder mystery board game, is stepping off the board and onto the stage for a season to be presented at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre in February.“Continuing our tradition of presenting some of the world’s favourite mysteries on stage including Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and The Mousetrap, I’m delighted to present the…

OBSERVER: The Blok

First Nations theatre company, A Daylight Connection, delivers a new work, The Blok! presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy and Deadly Fringe from October 8-18 in the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre.Directed by Kamarra Bell-Wykes, the play centres on a character called The Master, an auteur whose exponential success and dizzying sense of self-importance comes crashing…

OBSERVER: Ray Chen, violinist

Violinist and online personality Ray Chen redefines what it means to be a classical musician, with his viral reels and YouTube videos captivating millions of people around the world. His content highlights music’s ability to inspire joy, connection and healing in humans and animals.Joined by Julio Elizalde on piano, the virtuosic violinist will perform a…