Observer

OBSERVER: One for the record books

Friday, March 14, 2025

Melbourne-based designer, content creator and comedian Julian O’Shea’s 2025 new one-man show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is titled One For The Record Books, being presented from March 29 to April 20 at 6.25pm at the Doubletree Hilton on Flinders Street.The show tells the true story of Julian O’Shea’s adventures (and misadventures) in trying…

OBSERVER: Passion Play

The 26th Melbourne Passion Play has started recruiting cast and crew, but more people are urgently needed.Rehearsals for the performances take place every Sunday afternoon leading up to Easter at the Catholic Regional College, 380 Sydenham Rd, Sydenham.Lunch is served at 12 noon, prior to the rehearsals.In case of inclement weather, the College has a…

OBSERVER: The Big Hoo Haa

he Big Hoo-Haa, Melbourne’s longest-running weekly improv comedy show, is being presented on March 22, April 26, May 3 and May 10 at 8.30pm at The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St, Carlton.The cast ‘flies by the seat of their pants’ as there is no script. The Big Hoo-Haa ensemble fuses quick-witted improvisation with live music…

OBSERVER: Jekyll and Hyde

Kingston Arts presents Jekyll and Hyde from New Zealand based theatre company A Slightly Isolated Dog, on April 12 at 2pm and 7.30pm at the Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale.This fast-paced, absurd, and laugh-out-loud version of the classic tale is an interactive adaptation that invites audiences to “bring your monster out to play” for an evening…

OBSERVER: Something Good

Rhys Darby, Mark Watson and Ting Lim will guest star in the Improv Show Something Good at the Comedy Festival on March 29 and April 5, 12 and 19 at the Comedy Republic.Something Good continues to gain momentum by attracting high-profile special guests and showcasing a cast that has trained at The Second City, iO,…

OBSERVER: Promising Young Mensch

Hot on the heels of an award winning run at the Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne based comedian Jacob Sacher is back to present his show Promising Young Mensch at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 24 to April 6 at the Motley Bauhaus.The show reflects on growing up in the religious Jewish community in the…

OBSERVER: Cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson

Melbourne Observations with cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson:

OBSERVER: Pursuing Pleasure

A capacity audience shared an enchanting hour with vocal dynamo Piera Dennerstein in Pursuing Pleasure, presented in the Studio Theatre at Gasworks Arts Park.An internationally-trained high soprano opera singer turned cabaret cantatrice, Dennerstein entwines skilled musicality and showmanship with candid auto-biographical storytelling.Also a poet and writer, Dennerstein recounts her story with admirable candor, while continuing…

OBSERVER: Simply Brill

Simply Brill, starring Michaela Burger, Amelia Ryan and Michael Griffiths, will be presented as part of the 40th anniversary of Morning Melodies on Monday, April 7 at 11am and 1.30pm at Arts Centre Melbourne.The show is a joyous celebration of the songwriters who transformed 1960’s rock ‘n’ roll forever. It brings to life the golden…

OBSERVER: Bangtail

Lil Wenker makes her Australian solo debut show Bangtail from March 25 to April 6 at the Motley Bauhaus.This epic tale of a man in search of his manhood.will follow the hero as he journeysfrom the Wild West to the American office in cowboy clown chaos.Alan finds himself caught between his two identities and must…