Theatre & Dance
Latest Melbourne theatre and dance reviews and previews
The Australian Ballet’s 2018 season
In their 55th year, the Australian Ballet are keeping things in-house, with a season that draws exclusively on new and existing works created specifically for the company – by major choreographers and fresh talent. Melbourne’s season will open with a tribute to an Australian star: choreographer (and former Australian Ballet dancer) Graeme Murphy. Titled Murphy, the bill will feature Murphy’s acclaimed 2009 take on ‘Firebird’ (created for the Australian Ballet, as part of a triple bill paying homage to major 20th century works by the Ballet Russes), alongside a series of shorter works created during his tenure as artistic director of Sydney Dance Company. The Australian Ballet are also bringing back two classics of their repertoire: The Merry Widow, which was the first feature-length ballet commissioned by the company, in 1975, and featured the twin talents of dancer and theatre director Robert Helpmann and choreographer Ronald Hynd; and Maina Gielgud’s 1986 production of 19th century romantic ballet Giselle, created during her tenure as artistic director of the Australian Ballet. The Australian Ballet – Giselle (2015) Photograph: Daniel Boud And it’s not just about big names: the Australian Ballet is championing young talent in 2018, via the return of its popular ‘contemporary’ triple-bill (presenting works by young choreographers, created in residence with the company), and the world premiere of a major new production of Spartacus. This year’s contemporary
Theatre, dance, musicals and opera on now in Melbourne
A guide to Melbourne's theatre scene
Latest theatre reviews
The Rocky Horror Show review
This revival stars Todd McKenney but didn't leave us feeling spaced out on sensation
The Antipodes review
Red Stitch continues its relationship with Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker, presenting the Australian premiere of her latest play
William Tell review
Victorian Opera gives Rossini's final masterpiece its first Australian performance in more than a century
Mamma Mia! The Musical review
When all is said and done, this production of the ABBA jukebox musical doesn’t quite lay all its love on you
What's on at...
You might also like...
Circus Extravaganza Family Rave
Thought your partying days were over? Think again. The award-winning Big Fish Little Fish (BFLF) Family Rave has been throwing kid-friendly dance events in London to increasingly large crowds since 2013, and hit Melbourne last winter with sell-out events. The first thing to know about BFLF is that it's a real-deal rave, with grown-up music like house, techno and rave classics, and this time around the event will be held at Chasers Nightclub on the party central Chapel Street in South Yarra. Don't worry though this matinée rave will be strictly age-appropriate, with the BFLF team transforming the club into a circus-themed extravaganza for kids aged zero to eight and their parents. Headlining the rave is Anthony Pappa, who will be dropping serious club bangers (albeit at a much lower volume). The environment is designed to give big and little party animals an equally good time: there will be mesmerising performers, bubbles, balloons, face painting stalls, a play area with tents and tunnels to explore and a chillout zone for any babies who need some downtime. All that raving is sure to work up an appetite so BFLF is running a circus-themed cake stall to refuel at, while parents can order from the fully licensed bar. Crafty kids are catered for as well, with a dedicated crafts corner where tots can add to a giant mural, make themed crafts or get busy with some Playdoh. For the rave's grand finale there will be a parachute dance on the multi-sensory dancefloor so stick arou
Head into Mercedes me for latte art and a coffee masterclass
The perfect morning coffee is easily the highlight of any Melburnian's morning, and now Mercedes me and St Ali are making it even better. The Collins Street Mercedes me store is set to host a serious coffee pro, when Australian latte art champion Shinsaku Fukayama comes in store for a residency on Thursday 19, Thursday July 26 and Thursday August 2. Guests can expect delicious coffee and skilful latte art by ‘Samurai Shin’ with every in-store purchase. As an added bonus, Mercedes me will also host a coffee masterclass with Shinsaku Fukayama and St Ali founder Salvatore Malatesta on Wednesday August 8 from 6pm. The complimentary workshop will give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Melbourne's top coffee maestros and learn all about this daily indulgence alongside the best in the business. Find out more about Mercedes me.
Stay warm this season at College Lawn’s winter warmer beer garden
Hear that noise? That’s the blustery winds of winter blowing into Melbourne, and with it comes a whole lot of sport. Summer is great, but there’s no doubt that winter is the best time to enjoy a match, whether that be on the field or on the television. And since there’s no better time to enjoy sport, College Lawn Hotel in Prahran is making sure their beer garden is one of the best places in town to enjoy it. Head into College Lawn and chill out in their Winter Warmer Beer Garden. The team at College Lawn are passionate about their sports, both at home and at the international level. It’s the sort of place you can expect to catch the best of the international rugby season, starting on Saturday June 9 when Japan and Italy, New Zealand and France, and Australia and Ireland face off. They’ll also be screening matches on June 16 and June 23. For those who prefer their footy homegrown the College Lawn beer garden will also be screening their pick of matches starting from round 12, Geelong Cats versus North Melbourne. To get punters in the mood the bar will be serving free pots of Furphy beer between the first bounce and the first goal for selected matches (you can check out the list of selected matches on their website). The beer garden is dog-friendly so you can even bring your footy-loving canine. Then on Sunday you can round out your weekend with one of Melbourne very first Sunday sessions, Unplugged Sundays, with live music from 3pm to 10pm. Perk yourself up with a $15 Espr
Untold stories
Untold Rum was born of a passionate collaboration between leading Australian bartenders and spirits experts. A range of subtle spices is added to a unique blend of smooth, two- and three-year aged golden rums; the result is a distinctive, full-bodied spiced rum that is made to mix. Untold Rum’s makers believe that our experiences are what enrich and define us. So we at Time Out invited three Melbourne bartenders to tell us a story about the life of their bar and to invent an Untold Rum cocktail that conveys the essence of that story. Melbourne’s bartenders are restless spirits who understand that life is a journey. Inspired by Untold Rum, here’s what they came up with. You can enjoy their Untold cocktails and share stories with their makers from July 10 to August 21, 2018. To hear more about the stories and watch filmed interviews with the bartenders, check out @UntoldRum. THE COCKTAILS Eau de Vie | The Rooks Return | Black Pearl
