Observer

OBSERVER: Rourke’s Review

Friday, March 28, 2025

Novocaine(MA). 110 minutes. Opens in cinemas April 3.Intermittently amusing action/romance/comedy that, while quite gruesome at times, doesn’t take its premise to the absolute crazy extreme, playing it too predictable too often.Jack Quaid (son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) plays Nathan Caine, an assistant general bank manager who has a rare genetic condition that has…

OBSERVER: Spin That Wheel

Kru Harale, a local Melbourne comedian, is part of a team presenting Comedy Roulette – Spin That Wheel on April 4, 11, 12 and 18 at 10.20pm at the Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room.This standup comedy show presented as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has a twist in that the audience spins the…

OBSERVER:Ben McCarthy

Comedian Ben McCarthy brings his latest show Cadet Kelly is the Best Movie I’ve Ever Seen in my Friggin Life to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 7- 20 at the Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.Ben’s world turned upside down after seeing the Disney Channel original movie: Cadet Kelly, starring Hilary Duff. He’s certain it’s the…

OBSERVER: Josephine Wants To Dance

Monkey Baa Theatre Company returns to Melbourne with Josephine Wants to Dance at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts from April 11-12.This musical production is based on the children’s book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley with a deeper meaning around following dreams and believing in oneself.The show includes ballet, hip-hop and a kangaroo…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsFab Nobs Theatre: Come From Away. Until April 5 at Fab Nobs Theatre, Factory 33, 1-45 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Ass’t. Director/Choreographer: Aimee John; Ass’t. Director/Ass’t. Choreographer: Amy Miles. Bookings: fabnobstheatre.com.auWarrandyte Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows (by Raymond Briggs) Until April 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180…

OBSERVER: The Sex Lives of Married Women

Journalist Saman Shad had such a success with her debut novel The Matchmaker, she has taken up her pen again to write about the next chapter of women’s life.Her new novel, The Sex Lives of Married Women, examines what love looks like after 10 years with a partner, and when women decide that being able…

OBSERVER: Sleep At The G

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

On May 15, in a much-needed fundraiser for the Melbourne City Mission, sleepers will converge on the MCG to tackle youth homelessness. Each year hundreds of Victorians come together in support of thousands of young Victorians who are without a safe place to call home, for one big sleepover at Melbourne’s most celebrated sporting and…

OBSERVER: Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s wildly arch dialogue, enjoyed by audiences for 130 years, is on fire again in the National Theatre Live’s The Importance of Being Earnest.Director Max Webster imbues the production with a high-camp, pantomime vibe with new dialogue additions, fourth wall breaks and sight gags.The bare bones of Wilde’s comedy centres on Jack (Hugh Skinner)…

OBSERVER: Death, Deceit and Ducks

Club Voltaire was the perfect venue for this collection of six vignettes by Cerise de Gelder.Tucked away in Raglan St, North Melbourne, accessed by a narrow stairwell, and with drapery across the ceiling, the venue had the intimacy needed for these explorations of people’s foibles.Gelder’s scenarios were quirky and comic touching, as they did, on…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

Essendon Theatre Company: Love, Love, Love (by Mike Bartlett)Until March 29 at the Bradshaw Street Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Casey Bohan. Bookings: 0406448368 or trybooking.Fab Nobs Theatre: Come From Away. Until April 5 at Fab Nobs Theatre, Factory 33, 1-45 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Ass’t. Director/Choreographer: Aimee…