Observer

OBSERVER: Limitless

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Arts Project Australia has launched Limitless, a major new annual commissioning series supporting large-scale, ambitious works by neurodivergent artists and artists with intellectual disability.Limitless offers a platform for APA artists to explore their practice entirely on their own terms.It marks an opportunity to develop their most expansive and ambitious works to date.The series represents a…

OBSERVER: Miss Julie

Reimagining a classic play like Miss Julie for the contemporary stage carries with it inordinate challenges, not the least of which are the assumptions and tropes associated with a piece credited as being a touchstone of the emerging style of naturalism back in 1888.Writer and director Harry Haynes has us in a modern Greek restaurant…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsThe Basin Theatre Company: Educating Rita (by Willy Russell) Until August 17 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Sharon Maine. Bookings: thebasintheatre.auThe 1812 Theatre: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) Until August 30 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calvert. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.auBeaumaris Theatre: The Witches (based on the book…

OBSERVER: What’s Yours?

Fertility and friendship are twin forces in Keziah Warner’s new play, What’s Yours. Friends since university, Lia (CarissaLee) and Jo (Christina O’Neill) are polarised in their stance on having children.Jo wants independence. Lia yearns for a child. The fact that they have betrayed each other over the attention of Simon (Kevin Hofbauer) who was Jo’s…

OBSERVER: National Institute of Circus Arts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

The National Institute of Circus Arts is embarking on the new intake of students for 2026.With the Bachelor degree firmly nested with NICA’s new educational partner – the Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) – the Certificate IV program has gone through an exciting overhaul and now features three new study streams: Specialty Artist, Circus…

OBSERVER: Forgotten Songbook

A wonderful new Australian musical, The Forgotten Songbook has been born at Chapel off Chapel, delighting packed houses during its too-short three-night premiere season.Presented by McBurney and Hurley, this show is a sensational musical feast of varying genres and great lyrics, entwined with fascinating storytelling and director/choreographer Mikey Halcrow’s snappy dance moves.Jazz musician/writer/composer Emerson Hurley,…

OBSERVER: Rourke’s Reviews

The Surfer (MA). 101 minutes. Now available on Stan.Nicolas Cage, after churning out dozens of forgettable-to-bad movies over the last decade or so, is starting to make some interesting choices again as an actor. From Mandy to Longlegs to Dream Scenario, Cage has once more begun to show what a genuinely great actor he can…

OBSERVER: With One Voice

Community choirs across the country are opening their doors for Try a Choir Week from August 18-22. An open invitation is extended for people of all backgrounds and abilities to experience the power of song and connection.Run by With One Voice, one of Australia’s largest community choir networks, the initiative will see 25 choirs in…

OBSERVER: Fuse Festival

The City of Darebin presents the Darebin Fuse Festival from August 31 – September 14.The Darebin Fuse Festival offers an opportunity to unite as a community and enjoy live music, cultural experiences, exhibitions, public art installations, workshops, kids’ activities, theatre and more at various venues.For full program details and venues, visit www.fusedarebin.com.auCheryl Threadgold Pictured: Wrong…

OBSERVER: Butterfly Club closes

In a surprise announcement, the wonderfully atmospheric The Butterfly Club in Melbourne’s CBD has advised the sad news of its closure.According to its website, The Butterfly Club hosts 1200 performances of 200 productions every year, many of them new works.The intimate venue is particularly popular for performances during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the…