Observer

OBSERVER: Still Swingin’

Friday, February 7, 2025

I have been doing publicity for a long time, and I get to meet some fantastic people.Tom Burlinson would have to be among my top five people I have worked with, always gentlemanly, kind and so talented.And, like me, he loves what he does.Tom is bringing a new show, Tom Burlinson , Still Swingin’, to…

OBSERVER: Bad Bridesmaid

What do you do when you don’t approve of your mother marrying for the sixth time?In Rachael Johns’s new novel The Bad Bridesmaid, anti-romantic serial dater Winifred (Fred) joins forces with the groom’s son Leo to execute Operation Breakup.That certainly qualifies her for the title of bad bridesmaid.Author Johns describes her plot as a reverse…

OBSERVER: Rourke’s Reviews

Night Call(MA). 97 minutes. Available to rent or buy on selected digital platforms.Similar to films such as Sleepless Night, REC and MADs, Night Call is a taut French/Belgian thriller that, like a couple of the films mentioned, will most likely go down the Hollywood remake route.Beginning quietly, the story, set in Brussels, centres on Mady…

OBSERVER: The Substation

The Substation launched its Season One program which, due to an unfortunate bout of ill health, had to be presented in digital format rather than at its Newport premises as originally planned.Nevertheless, going digital did not lessen the impact of what promises to be an exciting first half of 2025.Staying true to its stated aim…

OBSERVER: Fledermaus

Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria presents a newly orchestrated, staged and choreographed version of Fledermaus from Robert Ray and Geoffrey Urquhart, for its opening season at the historic cottage and gardens of The Knowe, Sassafras, from February 15.Two hundred years after the birth of Johann Strauss Junior, this GSOV production of Fledermaus is a story…

OBSERVER: Cicero’s Column

Thursday, February 6, 2025

• Tickets have sold out for the VicRoads Heritage plate auction on Tuesday February 18. Some 500 tickets were claimed. The auction can be viewed online at heritageonly.com.au• Melbourne Opera presents Richard Wagner’s comedy Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at 3pm on February 16 and 22, and 5pm on February 18 and 20. The performances will…

OBSERVER: Crime Every Mountain

Sisters in Crime present Crime Every Mountain at 8pm on Friday, February 28 at the Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St, South Melbourne.Women’s crime writing has risen to new heights. It’s left the dry, dusty plains behind and headed for the hills or rather the mountains – with thrilling and chilling consequences.Claire Sutherland (The Crag),…

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsPEP Productions: The Toxic Avenger (musical) February 14 – 22 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director/choreographer: Natasha Harvey; Co-Musical Directors: Daniel Kim and Kristie Thai; Ass’t. Choreographer: Xi Gui Griffi. Bookings:Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Bondi Legal (by Tony Laumberg) Until February 22 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director:…

OBSERVER: $50,000 award for bold ideas

The National Institute of Dramatic Art is launching the $50,000 Jim Sharman Future Award. The Award is for a bold idea or project with the potential to transform the arts for generations to come.Open to artists and dreamers aged 16-30 from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, this new triennial Award offers substantial funding alongside tailored…

OBSERVER: Radio man Philip Brady retires

Melbourne radio legend Philip Brady has hung up his radio microphone, at age 85.Brady recorded a farewell message to his listeners when co-host Simon Owens visited the veteran in his home suburb of Kew.“Well it has come to this, after 67 years in the business I am quitting and I am very sad to be…