Observer

OBSERVER: Prime Time

Friday, October 9, 2026

Substation and B theatre company presents Prime Time for the Melbourne Fringe Festival at the Substation Newport from October 14-17.Directed by Penny Baron, the new intergenerational work Prime Time brings a cast of 14 people aged between five and 93 into the spotlight to challenge assumptions about age and ageing as a celebration of life…

Observer

OBSERVER: Legends of the Skies

Legends of the Skies theatre presents Series 14, Chubbie Miller, October 22-25 in the Casey Hangar Theatrette, Moorabbin Air Museum.Written by Alison Knight with artistic direction by Maggie Morrison, this show continues the LOTS Theatre tradition of paying tribute to great Australian aviators, introducing females in aviation.Performances: October 22, 23 and 24 at 7.30pm; October…

Observer

OBSERVER: Dune But Worse

From ‘over the ditch’ in New Zealand, Dune But Worse has arrived in Australia for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Performances are until October 11 at the Trades Hall and October 22-24 at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute.Dune But Worse is a 50-minute parody retelling of Frank Hebert’s Dune, told by a French-trained jester in a custom…

Observer

OBSERVER: Julius Caesar

Artefact Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s political thriller from October 15-24 at the St Martins Irene Mitchell Studio, South Yarra.Directed by Matthew Cox, Julius Caesar features a cast of graduate actors, an intensive pilot course that culminates in a full performance season. The intensive has focused on practical-production-ready skills including voice, movement, language, fight and character…

Observer

OBSERVER: The World Approaches

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Monash Uni Student Theatre’s (MUST) thought-provoking play The World Approaches has a climate-change theme with a differenceWritten by Luca Edwards, The World Approaches cleverly presents two perspectives for audiences to consider, giving voice to both the animal world and humanity. Predominantly a comedy, the play is also aptly described in the programme as a ‘Fusion…

Observer

OBSERVER: Hotsy-Totsy

Believable Arts Management presents Kiwi clowns, balloon twisters and sock puppeteers Ava O’Brien and Peggie Barnes in Hotsy-Totsy, being performed as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival from October 12-18 at the Motley Wherehaus.Directed by Katie Hill and Rachel McLean, this two-hander show by Wellington-based long-time collaborators Ava and Peggie, ‘New Zealand’s (unofficial) leading Disney…

Observer

OBSERVER: Newspaper Mama

A show that guarantees that adults and children will all enjoy it to the hilt is a precious experience to share.And that’s where legendary children’s entertainer Peter Combe can help.Peter has the secret to longevity as an entertainer, as he began entertaining kids with his catchy songs in the 1980s, and he continues to do…

Observer

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsBairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company: ‘Allo’Allo (by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft) Until October 18 Director: Susan Hawton. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/allo-allo-forgeThe 1812 Theatre: Switzerland (by Joanna Murray-Smith) Until October 24 at 3 Rose St., Ferntree Gully. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.auEncore Theatre: Steel Magnolias (by Robert Harling) Until October 18 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St.,…