Observer

OBSERVER: La Traviata

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

“What’s not to love about Verdi?” I asked my companion for the evening at the Australian Opera’s production of La Traviata. The maestro could sway the audience with a lyric motif that could evoke both delight and sadness. As the courtesan, Violetta (Stacey Alleaume) is dying in the final act, echoes of the theme that…

Observer

OBSERVER: You and Me and the Land of Lost Things

Arts Centre Melbourne presents a CDP Kids Production, Andy Griffiths’ You and Me and The Land of Lost Things on June 13-14 at 11am or 1.30pm at the Playhouse.A play by Richard Tulloch, this show is adapted from the book by Andy Griffiths and Bill Hope in a fun new theatrical adventure for children aged…

Observer

OBSERVER: Beneath A Broken Sky

Detective stories are loved by so many people, and the leading protagonist can range from an elderly English villager, a Belgian detective, a mediaeval monk or a contemporary cop.But rarely is the detective a queer man investigating the murder of a gay son’s mother.American author Joshua Moehling created the acclaimed and best-selling Ben Packard series,…

Observer

OBSERVER: Circus Showcase

One of the funniest, most endearing/clever MCs Dandyman (Daniel Oldaker)- a physical comedian, opened the Circus Showcase at Gasworks.This show featured a variety of finalists in this development competition, all receiving awards/prizes.Oldaker set the scene for a fun evening with his physical comedy, plus sharp wit. He was funny, engaging, very professional, quite unique, though…

Observer

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

Shows The Mount Players: Mr Bailey’s Minders (by Debra Oswald) Until May 24 at the Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Sonja Prater. Bookings: themountplayers.comCLOC Musical Theatre: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, May 15-30 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Shaun Kingma, Musical Director: David Clausen-Wisken, Choreographer Melanie Ott. Bookings: cloc.org,auMordialloc Theatre Company: The Other Place…

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OBSERVER:: Fabulous Caprettos

The Fabulous Caprettos perform at Frankston Arts Centre on Friday, May 22 at 8pm in the Main Theatre.Four legends unite for a night of Australian hits, including Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets/The Angels), Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc/Joe Satriani/Sammy Hagar/TOTO), Joe Camilleri (The Black Sorrows) and Wendy Matthews (Multi Aria Award Winner) live together as The…

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OBSERVER: Swing Affair

Monday, May 18, 2026

Mack the Knife was a ripping song (sorry!) to commence Morning Melodies at Hamer Hall.Rhys Tolhurst sang the song languidly and sexily. He introduced the four-piece band: Musical Director Mike Pensini on keyboards, Gerry Pantazis on drums, Harry Morrison on double bass and Tim Wilson on saxophone and flute. What a quartet!Each musician enjoyed solos…

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OBSERVER: Gran Partita

The MSO’s Gran Partita concert was a celebration of all things woodwind. The first half comprised Strauss’ Sonatina 1 in F major under the direction of David Thomas.Composed between 1941 and 1943, it serves as an introduction to a more modern sensibility of counterpoint and texture where composition was concerned. Whilst maintaining a lyric sensibility,…

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OBSERVER: Rourke’s Reviews

The Sheep Detectives (PG). 109 minutes. Now showing incinemas.A surprisingly deft blend of family film (in the tradition of Babe) and Agatha Christie style murdermystery, this is one of those genuinely rare birds that will captivate both children and adults.Hugh Jackman plays George, a gentle farmer who lives in the kind of gorgeous countryside onecan…

Observer

OBSERVER: Death of a Salesman

GWB Entertainment and Andrew Henry Presents have announced the return of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic play Death of a Salesman to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, for a strictly limited two-week season from August 11.Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner Anthony LaPaglia will reprise his role as Willy Loman, for which he received rave…