Observer

OBSERVER: Don Giovanni

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Melbourne Opera presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni (The Rake Punished) from April 26 – May 3 at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.Directed by Suzanne Chaundy, this staging strikes at the heart of Don Giovanni’s narcissism and brutality, refusing to brush over his assaults as mere elements of the dramma giocoso. Instead, it gives voice and…

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OBSERVER: Club Kabarett

Lovers of the Liza Minelli film Cabaret will remember the chaos and debauchery of the cabaret clubs of the Weimar era in Germany, between the two world wars.Cabaret clubs were huge in this era, as people flocked to their particular brand of raunchy humour and music.Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett continues the Weimar tradition in Melbourne,…

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OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsWindmill Theatre Company: Frozen Jr Until April 19 at the Cranbourne Community Theare, Brunt St., Cranbourne. Bookings: Trybooking.The 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.Ballarat National Theatre: The Dog Logs (by C.J. Johnson)…

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OBSERVER: Dane Simpson 100% Hits

Dane Simpson is one of those people who are instantly likeable. You know that you’ll become lifelong friends if you were to meet the affable Simpson in real life.In his Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Dane Simpson 100% Hits, right from the get-go, Simpson sets the audience up with “rules”.“If you find something funny, obviously…

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OBSERVER: Twinkle Town

With expectations of a large stage and big ensemble with orchestra, that was not to be, as Twinkle Town was played out in a small intimate space at the Motley Wherehaus, in Melbourne’s CBD as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.Two well-seasoned and travelled actors played out multiple roles in quick fire diverse scenarios.With…

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OBSERVER: Comedy Is Best Medicine

Beyond Blue and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival collaborated for the first time to present a special comedy showcase highlighting the power of laughter to build connection and mental wellbeing.Best Medicine was presented in the Supper Room at the Melbourne Town Hall, hosted by award-winning British comedian Carl Donnelly and featuring six celebrated festival comedians.Beyond…

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OBSERVER: Con Courtis’s Joke Protocol

A master of technology, pre-recordings and taping of audience’s responses with incredible sound effects is Con Coutis’s Joke Protocol performance at Paul’s Place, Melbourne Town Hall as part of the MICF.His performance would have to rank amongst the top tier of the many comedy offerings in the MICF stable, with nonstop physical mobility, rapid dialogue…

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OBSERVER: Hunchback of Notre Dame

The bells are ringing in Notre Dame – Quasimodo is out of the shadows and taking centre stage in CLOC Musical Theatre’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, being presented May 15-30 at the National Theatre, St Kilda.High above the streets of Paris, Quasimodo wat-ches the world below in a city divided by power,…

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OBSERVER: The 60 Four

The 60 Four will bring the biggest hits of the ’60s and ’70s to life in a Vegas-style show in Morning Melodies at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne on Monday April 27 at 11am and 1.30pm.Backed by a ‘powerhouse’ live band, The 60 Four jump between evocative ballads and high-energy classics — from the groove…

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OBSERVER: German Film Festival

The 2026 German Film Festival, Aust-ralia’s only dedicated celebration of German language cinema, is screening nationally from May 8-27 at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas.Presented by Palace and German Films, this year’s line-up of contemporary German cinema includes powerful dramas, insightful true-life stories, comedy and family films.Festival Centrepiece is Amrum, the celebrated…