Observer

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

Thursday, May 22, 2025

ShowsPeridot Theatre Company: Proof (by David Auburn) Until May 25 at the Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Damian Jones. Bookings: peridot.com.auCLOC Musical Theatre: Nice Work if You Can Get It. Until May 31 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Mark Taylor; Musical Director: David Clausen-Wisken; Choreographer: Susan Lewis; Ass’t. Choreographer:…

OBSERVER: NICA

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents the third-year student ensemble show, titled Proteus, co-directed by international artists Sage Bachtler Cushman (2010 NICA alumna) and Hugo Oliveira, showing June 18-28 at NICA National Circus Centre in Prahran.With a postmodern deconstructionist point of departure, a peculiar world sets in. Voyaging through the city’s architectural spaces,…

OBSERVER: Shadow Boxing

He is a Boxer, with problems. Living in the shadows of his infamous father who had a failed boxing career. At the same time, his own sexuality comes to play and he has many dilemmas in meeting the expectations of his father and the world.Shadow Boxing written by English actor James Gaddes in 1989, is…

OBSERVER: Spanish Film Festival

The 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival will be presented in Melbourne at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas from June 13-July 2.The Festival includes a curated selection of 30 films from Spain and Latin America, starting with Opening Night comedy Samana Sunrise (Amanece en Samaná), featuring an all-star cast including Luis Zahera, María…

OBSERVER: Morning Melodies

Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and 3AW, a special Morning Melodies performance on Monday, June 2 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, will feature culinary icon and music lover, Maggie Beer (pictured), joined by Orchestra Victoria.There will be two performances – at 11\am and 1.30pm – in the program which has been handpicked for the…

OBSERVER: Carnival of Vice

Bloomsday in Melbourne presents Circe’s Carnival of Vice from June 11-22 at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.Directed by Wayne Pearn, Circe’s Carnival of Vice explores the fever-dream world of Monto, Dublin’s notorious red-light district, inviting audiences to experience a daring and provocative new play inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses.This original production reimagines Joyce’s ‘Circe’ episode…

OBSERVER: An Evening of Fairy Tales

What is a symphony orchestra? It’s a symphonia, a “sounding together” of musicians and their instruments. That is our very own Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.MSO’s current season at the Hamer Hall is an inclusive mix over several individual concerts with the first recital offering being An Evening of Fairy Tales.Under Conductor Alpesh Chauhan, works by composers,…

OBSERVER: Long Story Short

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Director David Dietl’s Long Story Short tracks a group of friends through three years from 2019, through Covid and after. The plot weaves through celebrations: New Year’s Eve, birthdays, parties, a christening, a wedding and a funeral. The turbulence experienced in the wider world is reflected in the complicated relationships between the group.Laura Tonke plays…

OBSERVER: Hadestown The Musical

A massive musical feast of rhythm, song, dance and soul-enriching music awaits audiences at Hadestown the Musical, now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.The wonderful show’s lyrics, music and book were created by contemporary American songwriter/musician Anaïs Mitchell, starting as a community theatre project before developing over time to reach Broadway and London’s West End.Presented by…

OBSERVER: The Barden Party

Friday, May 16, 2025

After a highly successful international 90-show tour spanning New Zealand and Australia, The Barden Party is bringing two award-winning productions to Chapel Off Chapel from May 26-June 1.Known for their bold musical reimagining of Shakespeare they will present a double-bill of Macbeth – A Sassy, Sexy, Bluegrass Twist with Romeo and Juliet. Both tales are…