The Amateurs: a theatre review by Alex First
July 4, 2022 by Alex First
One of the most bizarre plays I have seen, The Amateurs at Melbourne’s Red Stitch Theatre is a tragicomedy from 2015 American Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison. This is its Australian premiere. Read more
Come Rain or Come Shine: a theatre review by Alex First
June 30, 2022 by Alex First
Come Rain or Come Shine is a charming, funny and smart romantic musical comedy, which unfolds over nearly three decades. Read more
Passing Strange (Antipodes Theatre Company) at Meat Market Stables, as reviewed by Alex First
June 28, 2022 by Alex First
A dynamic score characterises a coming-of-age story. Read more
Six at the Comedy Theatre, as reviewed by Alex First
June 27, 2022 by Alex First
A contemporary interpretation of the dastardly deeds of King Henry VIII, Six rocks. Its pop vibe is a sure-fire winner. Read more
Minions: The Rise of Gru – a movie review by Alex First
June 26, 2022 by Alex First
Minions: The Rise of Gru is an origin story and an ode to the music of the ‘70s. Read more
Elvis: a movie review by Alex First
June 22, 2022 by Alex First
Elvis lives. Well, not quite. But Baz Luhrmann has breathed new life into the legend and aura surrounding the consummate performer, the best-selling solo recording artist of all time. Read more
Harlequinade: a ballet review by Alex First (State Theatre, Melbourne)
June 20, 2022 by Alex First
Love is in the air, but there are those who have other ideas. Read more
The Picture of Dorian Gray: a theatre review by Alex First
June 9, 2022 by Alex First
The Picture of Dorian Gray at Melbourne’s Arts Centre is an extraordinary triumph of talent and theatricality. Read more
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: a theatre review from Alex First
May 27, 2022 by Alex First
So, you think you know the Cinderella story – the one about the poor “servant” to the evil stepmother and her taunting stepsisters? Read more
Driftwood: The Musical – a theatre review by Alex First
May 23, 2022 by Alex First
Driftwood: The Musical is a heart-wrenching and inspiring piece of musical theatre, reflecting a dark period of history that changed and destroyed the lives of millions. Read more
Top Gun: Maverick – a movie review by Alex First
May 22, 2022 by Alex First
Top Gun: Maverick is everything I wanted and more from a sequel 36 years on. Read more
Lohengrin: an opera review by Alex First
May 17, 2022 by Alex First
Treachery and subterfuge abound in the Australian premiere of a new production of Richard Wagner’s otherworldly romance Lohengrin at the State Theatre, Arts Centre in Melbourne. Read more
An American in Paris: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Once you learn that Robbie Fairchild was a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet you can understand why he glides so effortlessly across the stage in a stellar display as the centrepiece of An American in Paris. Read more
Girl from the North Country: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Set during the Great Depression, Girl from the North Country is a brilliantly conceived and executed theatrical production, featuring the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan. Read more
La Traviata: an opera review by Alex First
May 10, 2022 by Alex First
Soprano Stacey Alleaume is almost ethereal in a scintillating performance as Violetta Valery in Giuseppe Verdi’s fraught, emotion-charged, love story La Traviata (which translates to The Fallen Woman). Read more
The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson – a movie review by Alex First
May 4, 2022 by Alex First
Magnificently shot, The Drover’s Wife is a story of hardship concerning a woman living in the Australian bush trying her best to raise four young children. Read more
The Heartbreak Choir: a theatre review by Alex First
May 2, 2022 by Alex First
A delightful, poignant, funny, uplifting play with music, The Heartbreak Choir charms its way into our hearts. Read more
Matador la experienca, at Melbourne’s Meat Market reviewed by Alex First
May 1, 2022 by Alex First
Matador la experienca has taken the best of Matador and stepped it up a notch to create a totally electrifying and immersive showcase of talent. Read more
Downton Abbey: A New Era – a movie review by Alex First
April 28, 2022 by Alex First
Set in 1928, the matriarch of the Crawley family – The Dowager, Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) – may be in failing health, but she has lost none of her bite. Read more
The Northman: a movie review by Alex First
April 20, 2022 by Alex First
Viking mythology gets a workout in Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Eggers is co-writer with Sjon (Lamb) and directs the bloodthirsty piece. Read more
Happening: a movie review by Alex First
April 13, 2022 by Alex First
Happening 90 mins: France in 1963 was a place where abortion was a dirty word. In short, it was illegal. Read more
The Duke: A movie review by Alex First
April 7, 2022 by Alex First
Based on fact, The Duke is the story of a 60-year-old old British man who in 1961 allegedly stole a painting worth £140,000 from the National Gallery in London. Read more
Ambulance: a movie review by Alex First
April 6, 2022 by Alex First
Just a fairly typical day in the life of a paramedic. Hardly! Read more
Hamilton: a theatre review by Alex First
April 5, 2022 by Alex First
Dramatic, emotional, evocative. Electrifying. Triumphant. Read more
An American in Paris: A theatre review by Alex First
March 28, 2022 by Alex First
Once you learn that Robbie Fairchild was a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet you can understand why he glides so effortlessly across the stage in a stellar display as the centrepiece of An American in Paris. Read more
