“I thought you were going to tell me I didn’t need the pills anymore,” says eighteen-year-old Anna (Max McKenna) to her child psychiatrist, Vivienne (Louisa Mignone). Anna has completely misread the tenor of the conversation, which was actually about the need for her to transition towards seeing a therapist trained to work with adults. This early moment encapsulates the key struggles of The Almighty Sometimes, a coming-of-age story illustrating a young woman torn between emancipation and comfort, with the reality of a never-defined yet ever-present mental illness adding layers of complexity to what would otherwise be a universally relatable tale. This multi-award-winning drama by Kendall Feaver has been staged in Australia before by Queensland Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company, yet the issues explored in this iteration from Melbourne Theatre Company feel topical and fresh with tight direction from Hannah Goodwin. Screen legend Nadine Garner (Savage River, Neighbours, City Homicide) plays Renee, a school teacher and dedicated mum to ‘troubled’ daughter Anna. Alongside Anna’s new boyfriend Oliver (Karl Richmond) and her psychiatrist, Renee grapples with supporting her daughter as she pushes against the routines and limits that kept her safe during her adolescence. Having recently rediscovered pages upon pages of her childhood writings, Anna has begun to wonder if the version of her that existed before she went on medication was a child prodigy destined for literary greatn
May 13, 2024: Beer lovers, it's your time to shine, with the first event of Good Beer Week happening this weekend. Or if you prefer to pound the pavement rather than heading to tbe pub, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival is on too. Plus, a sculptural Lego exhibition featuring 100 innovative artworks and an official NBA Exhibition are both currently running for a limited time, as well as a magical immersive experience that has transported the infamous Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter to Melbourne. Or if you've got a hankering for a good feed, the Pasta Bambino pop-up and this raclette cheese supper pop-up are affordable winter warmer options.
There's always something happening in this fair city of ours, so don't let the week pass you by without popping a few fun events into your social calendar. To help you plan, we've rounded up all the best activities happening this week, so all you have to do is scroll, pick and embark on your adventure.
When in doubt, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.