Observer

OBSERVER: The Forgotten Songbook

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

A new Australian musical, The Forgotten Songbook, opens at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran, from July 25 – 27.The ambitious project is led by two talented young theatre makers – 23-year-old historian and composer Emerson Hurley and producer Dylan McBurney.Under the direction of Mikey Halcrow, the cast features versatile Melbourne musical theatre performers Karla Hillam and…

OBSERVER: Trophy Boys

The acclaimed queer black comedy Trophy Boys is returning to Arts Centre Melbourne from August 12 – 24.Set on the night of the Grand Final of the Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament – Trophy Boys follows the all-boys debate team from an elite private school as they are tasked with arguing that ‘feminism has failed…

OBSERVER: Loving The Alien

The enigmatic rockstar David Bowie was the focus of Loving The Alien, an Arts Centre Melbourne show that sought to find out the truth behind the legend.However, while certainly having its moments in portraying Bowie’s life, it ultimately disappointed as it felt under-rehearsed and underdeveloped.Going from his secondary school years up until his death in…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

Peoples Playhouse Theatre Company: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (based on Roald Dahl’s novel) Until July 19 at the Cranbourne Community Theatre. Bookings: Trybooking. MLOC Productions: The Pirate Queen (Boublil and Schönberg) Until July 19 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Director: Chris Ryan; Musical Director: Matthew Pines.Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Diary…

OBSERVER: Fundraiser

Friday, July 4, 2025

As any country readers will be well aware, Victoria is in the grip of a drought, with all the effects that has on regional communities.Some musical city dwellers have decided to help where they can, with a special fundraising concert for the community around Nhill, happening on Sunday July 20 at 3pm in Burnley’s St…

OBSERVER: Scandivanian Film Festival

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Melbourne’s Scandinavian Film Festival saw the gripping psychological drama Second Victims have its Australian premiere.Set in a Danish hospital which is understaffed and where employees are overworked, an experienced neurologist has her confidence shaken when a simple mistake turns a routine case into a tragedy.The screenplay was written by Zinnini Elkington and feels authentic in…

OBSERVER: The Lark

Australian star of stage and screen, Noni Hazlehurst, returns to Arts Centre Melbourne for the world premiere of The Lark from September 3-20 at the Fairfax Studio.Described as ‘a powerful, moving meditation on life, death and change’, The Lark is written specially for Noni Hazlehurst by internationally recognised Australian playwright Daniel Keene, and directed by…

OBSERVER: First Trimester

Melbourne Fringe is calling for potential sperm donors to sign up to participate in a unique performance at this year’s Fringe Festival in First Trimester by UK-based performer and Netflix creator Krishna Istha, which will be presented from October 16-18 at Arts House, North Melbourne.Having searched London, Dublin, Copenhagen and Auckland as part of a…

OBSERVER: Seussical Jr

CPP Community Theatre presents Seussical Jr from July 11-19 at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Boronia.Seussical Jr is described as ‘a fantastical musical adventure that brings the beloved stories of Dr Seuss to life in a vibrant, fast-paced show perfect for the whole family.’Horton the Elephant discovers a tiny world on a speck of…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

SHOWS Williamstown Little Theatre: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay-Abaire) Until July 12 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: John Bishop. Bookings: wlt.org.au/book-ticketsMLOC Productions: The Pirate Queen (Boublil and Schönberg) Until July 19 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Director: Chris Ryan; Musical Director: Matthew Pines.Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Diary of Anne Frank…