Local Newspapers from Melbourne, Victorisa, Australia
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Australian playwright, former journalist and cartoonist Jane Cafarella (pictured) has published her memoir titled Cleaved.Jane’s work has been widely published in Australia and overseas, her plays have been performed nationally and internationally, and her cartoon archive is held at the State Library Victoria.But what Jane didn’t write about until now was growing up with Milroy’s…
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Alayne Dick never forgets an insult, in fact she wrote a whole show about it. Purple is the Gayest Colour will be presented at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 26-April 6 at Tasma Terrace.Following sold-out seasons at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and the New Zealand Fringe Festival, Alayne is bringing her…
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Lorna Osborne (Axon), veteran Melbourne-based Tivoli dancer, choreographer, director and long-term dancing teacher, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 19, aged 96.Born in Richmond on June 21,1928, and an only child, Lorna attended dance classes with Miss Lorna Vesper in Richmond from age five to fifteen.She studied RAD classical ballet, tap, musical comedy, Highland, Irish…
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The Green Room Awards Association has announced the nominees for the 42nd Annual Green Room Awards.The most nominated productions this year include GROUNDHOG DAY (11 nominations), CANDIDE (9 nominations), 37 (8 nominations), MY BRILLIANT CAREER (8 nominations) and COUNTING & CRACKING (7 nominations). Anton Berezin, President of the Green Room Awards Association said: “During 2024,…
Read More about OBSERVER: Green Room Nominations
ShowsGilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria: Fledermaus! March 8, 9 at The Round Studio, Nunawading. April 12 at Moe Plaza. Director: Robert Ray; Musical Director: Geoffrey Urquhart. Bookings: gsov.org.auWilliamstown Little Theatre: Wicked Sisters (by Alma de Groen) Until March 3 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Ellis Ebell. Bookings: wlt.org.au/Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Moon…
Read More about OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report
The musical theatre show A Nightime Travesty, which played at The Malthouse, was a wild rollercoaster of a ride.It had some great music and songs but, while applaudable for its bold efforts at providing provocative challenging theatre, was ultimately a failed experiment.In an apocalyptic end-of-days scenario two flight attendants, Angel (played by Carly Sheppard) and…
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Image Economics.In a visual landscape where images proliferate and morph in virtual growth capable of swaying elections, mobilising mass movements and influencing identities and social norms, Image Economics offers a timely reappraisal of how the digital, networked world permeates our offline lives.The digital tools and systems that generate, store or process data – along with…
Read More about OBSERVER: Arts Column with Peter Kemp
A major new exhibition has opened showcasing Victorian First Nations artists from across the state. Colin Brooks (PIctured), Minister for Creative Industries, attended the 2025 Melbourne Art Fair to see the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition, which celebrates the rich cultural and creative diversity of Victorian First Nations artists. Co-curated by…
Read More about OBSERVER: First Nations artists at Melbourne Art Fair
Award-winning rural crime writer Margaret Hickey (pictured has decided that a change is as good as a holiday.The author of best sellers The Creeoer, Stone Toen and Broken Bay has just renewed a collection of short stories called Rural Dreams, celebrating the Australian countryside.Hickey is based in north east Victoria and enjoys setting her stories…
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In Our Monster’s Name is Jerry, queer couple Maude (Laura Jane Turner) and Lou (Em Jevons) are desperate to conceive, enduring rounds of IVF without success.An unexpected turn of events occurs when Maude inherits a house from a distant relative.Eccentric next-door neighbour Barb (Amanda LaBonté) soon comes nosing around to welcome Maude and Lou to…
Read More about OBSERVER: Our Monster’s Name Is Jerry