Observer

OBSERVER: Sauna Boy

Monday, February 3, 2025

Sauna Boy, written and performed by Dan Ireland-Reeves and produced in association with Gavin Roach, is being presented until February 8 at The Motley Bauhaus, Melbourne.Sauna Boy tells of Dan who works at the south-coast’s most successful and infamous gay sauna. A place where men from all walks of life come to relax and socialise.This…

OBSERVER: Asia TOPA

sia TOPA (Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) will present the Triennial’s Nightlife programme at Arts Centre Melbourne from February 20-March 10.Bringing together contemporary performance art and club culture, Asia TOPA is a city-wide celebration of the very best of Asia-Pacific arts, culture and ideas.Featuring a range of specially curated events across the city, from free…

OIBSERVER: Vizard’s book

Nation, Memory, Myth by Steve Vizard releases on April 16 from Melbourne University Publishing.In his new book Steve Vizard brings an original perspective to the foundational myth of Gallipoli as a sacred bearer of Australian national values and identity.Nation, Memory, Myth offers the reader a challenging new look at the extraordinary vitality of myth as…

OBSERVER: Whatever Happened To … Jenny Howard

I feel that the great stars of the Australian stage during the 20th Century are being forgotten by the modern generation.It is a great pity that we do not celebrate the lives of some of our performersw. I had the opportunity to see Jenny Howard in one show and it made a great impression on…

OBSERVER: Red Stitch’s “Honour’

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Red Stitch Actors Theatre presents Honour by Joanna Murray-Smith from February 19 – March 16 (Previews February 15-18) at the Red Stitch Theatre, Chapel Street, St Kilda.This return season of this poignant exploration of infidelity and identity is directed by multi-award-winning Sam Strong (commissioned and directed Boy Swallows Universe) and features Red Stitch ensemble member…

OBSERVER: Perfect Nonsense

Heidelberg Theatre Company presents Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense from February 14 – March 1 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna.Written by the Goodale Brothers and directed by Morgan Thomas-Connor, the story tells of a country house weekend taking a turn for the worse when Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker, reconciling…

OBSERVER: Truth at Malthouse

Malthouse Theatre presentsTruth by Patricia Cornelius.at the Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse, from February 13-March 8.This latest work from the celebrated Australian playwright, sees Cornelius reunite with long time collaborator and Truth director Susie Dee, to create this groundbreaking new play that examines the precarious balance between truth and power.Fusing real-life events with fictionalised commentary, the controversial…

OBSERVER: Nighttime Travesty

A revamped production of A Nighttime Travesty will be presented at the Beckett Theatre at Malthouse from February 19 – 22 as part of Asia TOPA.Created by A Daylight Connection, with this new production directed by Stephen Nicolazzo, A Nighttime Travesty is set aboard the last plane hurtling out of Earth, following a motley crew…

OBSERVER: Frank van Straten Fellowship applications open

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Applications for the 2025 Frank Van Straten Fellowship close on March 23.Arts enthusiasts are offered the opportunity to research and develop a project of their choosing in exploration of the iconic Australian Performing Arts Collection (APAC).“We are so grateful and immensely proud to be launching this, our sixth Frank Van Straten Fellowship. Over the years,…

OBSERVER: Shirley Valentine

Natalie Bassingthwaighte returns to Australian stages to star in the comedy Shirley Valentine, directed by Lee Lewis and playing until February 16 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.This one-woman play by Willy Russell tells the inspiring and hilarious story of Shirley, a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife stuck in a life of routine.Talking to her kitchen…