Observer

OBSERVER: The Jane Austen Experience

Friday, April 11, 2025

Now in its 32nd year, Theatre of the Winged Unicorn presents The Jane Austen Experience from May 2-18 at the historic Ceres Hall in the Barrabool Hills, just eight kilometres from Geelong.Devised and directed by Elaine Mitchell, The Jane Austen Experience will feature an ensemble of 10 actors who will perform a number of favourite…

OBSERVER: Comedy Roulette

Hosted by comedian Kru Harale, Comedy Roulette is a fun, mostly improvised piece showcasing seven comedians in one hour.Each show plays host to a different line up though some artists may be invited back. This is a great way to see a variety of talent in one place.The format as explained by Harale is for…

OBSERVER: Train Cake

Plot by Heather Valentine and the support of Carl Whitside, Train Cake is set in the sexy world of the 1980’s Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake. How often has one wrestled with simple instructions of a children’s birthday cake recipe only to end up with an embarrassing cake fail?Opening night at the Meat Market…

OBSERVER: Dr Strangelove

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…