Observer

OBSERVER: The Great Mass

Friday, April 17, 2026

Victoria Chorale presents the Great Mass in C Minor by audience-favourite Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at 5pm on Saturday, May 16, at St Paul’s Cathedral, corner Flin-ders and Swanston Sts, Melbourne.Described as ‘Great’ because of its sheer size, the Mass represents Mozart at his most daring and innovative and is a significant departure from his earlier…

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OBSERVER: Late, Late at Night

Melbourne-based playwright Kieran Carroll advises that after four years and hundreds of kilometres travelled across Vic-toria, NSW and Queensland, his show Late, Late at Night (The Rick Springfield Story) starring Jackson Carroll from Sydney (no relation) is reaching an end.Jackson is retiring from the show to return to concentrating on his own original material.There’s one…

Observer

OBSERVER: Marathon Hamlet

Marathon Hamlet will take over Pentridge Prison, the Old Magis-trates’ Court and Como House on Sunday (May 3) in a One-Day Endurance Event – a city-wide, single-day performance across three National Trust heritage sites.Hamlet (Bridget Sweeney) runs between each venue, and by the final act, she’s completed a marathon.Presented by Artistic Allsort, Marathon Hamlet places…

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OBSERVER: Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly

Following a successful two-performance run in March in Ballarat of Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical, Victorian Opera is delighted to announce a Melbourne season of this acclaimed new production from July 24-25 at the Union Theatre, University of Melbourne.The production is directed by Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Stuart Maunder (Follies, The Pirates of Penzance,…

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OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsThe 1812 Theatre: Summer of the Aliens (by Louis Nowra) Until May 2 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Liam Mitchinson. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au or 9758 3964.Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Two Brothers (by Hannie Rayson) Until May 2 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Ben Crowley. Bookings: Geelong…

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OBSERVER: Keys To Life, Two Friends, Two Pianos

Australian-British pianist Jayson Gillham returns to Australian stages, welcoming his close friend and fellow pianist Iyad Sughayer for his Australian recital debut.Keys to Life – Two Friends, Two Pianos brings two world-class pianists to four Australian cities during July in a national recital tour to lift spirits and remind us of our shared humanity.The Melbourne…

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OBSERVER: La Traviata

Opera Australia presents a new staging of Verdi’s most famous opera, La Traviata, which will have its Melbourne premiere at the Regent Theatre on May 8 in a season running until May 19.The production, directed by Sarah Giles, brings Violetta’s inner world to the fore in a staging that delves into the heartache behind the…

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OBSERVER: Lifetime Achievement Award for Don Bridges

The MEAA Equity Foundation has announced Australian actor Don Bridges as the recipient of its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary career and deep commitment to the performing arts community.Don has built an extensive body of work across television, film, and theatre in Australia and the United Kingdom over almost six decades.His…

Observer

OBSERVER: Ting Lim – Are You For Real?

You Pho Real?n Ting Lim – Are You Pho Real? – Melbourne Comedy Festival, delivers a tight, detailed, engaging, amusement ride through the lens of cultural differences.Exploration of belonging and inclusion through family, relationships and food to a full house, with her every step.Free association of past traumatic events brought into the light through the…