Observer

OBSERVER: Dr Strangelove

Friday, April 11, 2025

he National Theatre adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove for the stage is a curious undertaking.Steve Coogan plays the roles made famous by Peter Sellers, adding to the repertoire the role of Major Kong but, in order to do this, there are theatrically contrived exits and entrances to allow him to appear in the same…

OBSERVER: Here If You Need

Mick Neven (pictured) presents his 12th solo show Here If You Need as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20 at 8pm at The Charles Dickens Tavern, 290 Collins St, Melbourne.Last year Mick’s daughter turned 16 and introduced him to her first boyfriend. What a fun time for any Dad. Also last…

OBSERVER: Rourke’s Reviews

Something In The Dirt (M). 116 minutes. Now available on DVD.Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead continue their winning ways, once again combining sci-fi and drama (on a micro budget) to intriguing effect. Moorhead and Benson star (as they did in The Endless) as John and Levi, both tenants in a low-rent, run-down apartment building in…

OBSERVER: DM For Deception

Illusions, magic or sleight of hand, what’s it to be? That could sum up Tristan McLindon’s performance, but there is a lot more to it with DM for Deception as part of the MICF.Anything with magic always captivates an audience and this performance was no exception.At the outset,Tristian was quick to explain that the show…

OBSERVER: End Game

Katie Reddin-Clancy (UK) presents her new theatre show End Game until April 20 in the MC Showroom.Presenting the big questions most of us are afraid to answer End Game is part The Secret, part Warrior of Light, part Eat, Pray, Love, exploring one woman’s journey at Earth School as she searches for her Soul’s purpose.Darkly…

OBSERVER: German Film Festival

Palace in collaboration with German Films will present the HSBC German Film Festival in Melbourne from April 30-May 28 at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas.The 2025 line-up features a selection of twenty films, including six films direct from the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), compelling biopics and documentaries that delve into the…

OBSERVER: Stella Shortlist

For the first time in history, all writers on the 2025 Stella Prize shortlist are women of colour.The six works chosen for the shortlist by the Stella judges are described as “conspicuous for their integrity, compassion and fearlessness”.Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser’s Theory and Practice, a meld of fiction and memory allowing for “formlessness…

OBSERVER: Nice Work If You Can Get It

CLOC Musical Theatre presents the razzle-dazzle musical comedy Nice Work If You Can Get It from May 16-31 at the National Theatre, St Kilda.Set in the roaring 1920s, with toe-tapping tunes, romance and zany bootleggers, the timeless music of George and Ira Gershwin includes hits like Someone to Watch Over Me, Let’s Call The Whole…

OBSERVER: Fool Me Once

The 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival is blessed with having a conjurer extraordinaire in Josh Staley, performing his one-man show at Brewmanity and Askal.Josh’s showmanship, confidence and personable manner shines throughout his one-hour performance.He amazed with disappearing bottles, coins and cards sleight of hand, mind-reading and predictive tricks, including a pre-show post prediction on his…

OBSERVER: King of Kings

Thursday, April 10, 2025

King of Kings is an intriguing new take on the 2000-year-old story of Jesus Christ, from birth to death to resurrection.And it’s written by….Charles Dickens. Yes, THAT Charles Dickens who wrote A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and many other novels that have stood the test of time.King of Kings is based on Charles…