Theatre & Dance
Latest Melbourne theatre and dance reviews and previews
School of Rock is playing in Melbourne
Melbourne, school is back in session and now it’s time to learn how to rock.
Theatre, dance, musicals and opera on now in Melbourne
A guide to Melbourne's theatre scene
Latest theatre reviews
Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story
This musical about two Romanian Jews seeking refuge in Canada is a an absolute gem
Peter Pan Goes Wrong review
Take a trip (or just a tumble) to Neverland with the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong
Evita review
This Tina Arena-led production is seductive, powerful and completely rewarding – but you need to work for it
The Miss Behave Gameshow
Everyone's a winner at this Midsumma show that's part disco party, part gameshow
What's on at...
You might also like...
Red Stripe Shout
There’s only one thing better than a tall, frosty beer in summer: a tall, frosty, free beer. This summer, Red Stripe beer is teaming up with Time Out to shout you a beer. At Windsor's very cool hidden bar Jungle Boy, Red Stripe will throw a killer sesh that won’t cost you a dime – after all, your wallet deserves a break after Christmas and New Year’s. Walk through the fridge and into Jungle Boy on Monday, January 21 from 5pm to 6pm to enjoy an hour of free Red Stripe brews and finger food in the very hip establishment. Busy on January 21? Red Stripe will also be popping up at pintxos bar Lona St Kilda on Thursday January 24. Head into Lona from 4pm for free-flowing Red Stripe beer and a selection of canapés. Entry to both events is free (as is the beer and food), but you do need to register here (for Jungle Boy) or here (for Lona). Be quick – numbers are strictly limited to 15 doubles at Jungle Boy and 50 doubles at Lona. Red Stripe is a smooth, full bodied beer from the sandy beaches of Jamaica where it was first brewed over 90 years ago. Named after the red stripe that used to run down Jamaican police uniforms, Red Stripe is an unpretentious drop, perfect on a hot summer’s day. Why not let them shout you a beer this summer?
Unleash your creativity with a NIDA Open summer course
NIDA – Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art – is recognised as one of the world’s leading training grounds in the performing arts. That’s no idle boast: The Hollywood Reporter actually ranked it as tenth in its list of top drama schools in the world in 2018. For 60 years NIDA has been educating actors, directors, designers and more, many of whom have gone on to major international careers. The list of its alumni reads like the credits of a blockbuster film: Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Judy Davis, Miranda Otto, Sarah Snook, Yael Stone, Mel Gibson, Luke Hemsworth, Baz Luhrmann, Richard Roxburgh, Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington. Based in Kensington, Sydney, NIDA now has a permanent Victorian branch, NIDA Melbourne, at the Guild in Southbank. It’s here (and at Wesley College) that members of the public who’ve been bitten by the bug can attend short courses over the summer under the guidance of some of Australia’s best performing arts professionals. Open to all ages, these courses cover acting, accents, auditioning, design, directing, musical theatre, screen acting and writing. Got a talented kid, or want to expose your children to the world of the performing arts? Are you keen to kickstart your own entertainment journey? Or do you have some amateur or industry experience that you are keen to build upon? Then you are bound to find a course to suit you taking place this January 7-20. Courses range from an intensive one day to a full week, with fees ranging from $157.
Midsumma Extravaganza
Some of the hottest stars in showbiz are going to be performing at Midsumma's night of nights, the Extravaganza. The night is hosted by comedy superstar Rhys Nicholson, and it promises to be an absolute riot. Trevor Ashley (Fat Swan, Little Orphan TrAshley, Diamonds Are For Trevor, I’m Every Woman) is producing and performing in the show, and he says it's going to be an absolute hoot. "Last year it was just comedians, but this year, of course, they’ve got a fabulous nine-piece band on stage, fabulous singers getting up on stage and singing songs, drag queens, burlesque, as well as comedy. It's got a bit of everything." As well as Nicholson and Trevor, the show will include Barry Award winner Zoe Coombs Marr, Take Me Out host and household name Joel Creasey, cabaret superstar Carlotta, GLOBE Artist of the Year Mama Alto, The Voice star Sheldon Riley, 3RRR Breakfasters host Geraldine Hickey, Black Comedy writer Steven Oliver, ten-time Golden Guitars Winner Beccy Cole, singer Libby O'Donovan and cabaret/circus/burlesque YUMMY. And it's not over when the house lights go on. "It will be a great night out, the Arts Centre are keeping the bar open after the show so everyone should stick around after the show and have a drink," says Ashley. "There will be a DJ. It will be really fun to have so much campness in one grande dame of a hall."
The Hawthorn Hotel is now doing boozy punch brunch
Who doesn’t love a good bottomless brunch to get their weekend going? Lucky for us, Hawthorn Hotel is now hosting bottomless brunches every weekend from 11am-1pm. The best part? It's just $45 per person. Drink bottomless mimosas, sparkling wine, beers, and Chambord punch as you nibble on a complimentary grazing breakfast filled with savoury and sweet options to suit all tastes. There are three punch bowls to choose from: there's French Martini (with Chambord, vodka and pineapple juice), Mango Mania (Chambord, mango liqueur, soda and fresh fruit), and a Blackberry Mojito (Chambord, white rum, mint, lime and berries). The menu looks just as scrumptious, boasting toasted crumpets with toppings including smoked salmon, goat’s cheese and capers; sliced avo, fetta and chilli; caramelised onion, Manchego and olives; as well as maple-bacon, banana and salted caramel waffles; Nutella and fresh strawberry waffles; vanilla mascarpone and berry tarts; and more. Hawthorn Hotel welcomes groups of all sizes and packages start at 11am sharp, so don't be late. Planning a hens party? Book in your group and the bride can eat and drink for free. Bookings are essential, so place yours at the Hawthorn Hotel website here.
