Pear-Shaped: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
April 11, 2023 by Alex First
Having closely watched all 75 minutes of Pear-Shaped, I remain utterly confused about what I just saw. Read more
Rolling Thunder Vietnam (Australian tour) reviewed by Alex First
April 10, 2023 by Alex First
Rolling Thunder Vietnam is a deeply emotional, richly rewarding musical and narrative experience that takes you to the heart of the highly divisive Vietnam War. Read more
Air: A movie review by Alex First
April 7, 2023 by Alex First
How do you make a compelling film when the outcome is clear for the world to see? Read more
Julia: A Sydney theatre review by Alex First
April 6, 2023 by Alex First
Brilliantly performed by Justine Clarke, who, as the 27th Australian Prime Minister, displays determination, indignance and frustration, I would suggest one’s political predilection will have a fair say in how Joanna Murray-Smith’s words go down. Read more
Linoleum – a movie review by Alex First
April 5, 2023 by Alex First
A quirky, feel-good, sci-fi comedic drama, Linoleum concerns a decent man of science in Ohio who has always aspired to become an astronaut. Read more
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever: A Sydney theatre review by Alex First
April 4, 2023 by Alex First
What a hoot! Read more
Fences: a Sydney theatre review by Alex First
April 3, 2023 by Alex First
We’re among African-Americans in a working-class suburb in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1950s. Read more
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? A Sydney theatre review by Alex First
March 31, 2023 by Alex First
Melbourne-based, I flew to Sydney to catch up on five shows over five nights. One I was keen to see was The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? Read more
Silly Little Things: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 17, 2023 by Alex First
Rosie is a 20-something-year-old florist shop owner and party girl for whom life has its challenges. Read more
Don Quixote (The Australian Ballet): Reviewed by Alex First
March 17, 2023 by Alex First
I was mesmerised by the performances of the two leads in an intoxicating production of Don Quixote by The Australian Ballet. Read more
Green Day’s American Idiot: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 16, 2023 by Alex First
Three disaffected young men are at the centre of punk rock band Green Day’s rock opera American Idiot. Read more
Living: A movie review by Alex First
March 15, 2023 by Alex First
The expressive question “you call that living?” may well be asked of the chief protagonist in the movie Living. Read more
Wolf Play: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 14, 2023 by Alex First
Put succinctly, intriguing. Read more
Berhardt/Hamlet: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 13, 2023 by Alex First
We are in Paris in 1899. Read more
When the Rain Stops Falling: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 10, 2023 by Alex First
What a phenomenal piece of writing by Andrew Bovell (who wrote the powerful Australian film Lantana, which debuted in 2001). Read more
& Juliet: a Melbourne musical review by Alex First
March 10, 2023 by Alex First
A riotously fun, thoroughly entertaining musical for our new, enlightened times, & Juliet picks up Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet where it ended and kicks it up a gear. Read more
Made in China 2.0: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
March 7, 2023 by Alex First
I am faced with a predicament that I can’t say I have confronted too many times in four decades of reviewing. Read more
Creed III: a movie review by Alex First
March 3, 2023 by Alex First
After retiring from the ring three years ago, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) lives to fight another day in Creed III. Read more
Empire of Light: a movie review by Alex First
March 2, 2023 by Alex First
Set in the English coastal town of Margate during the turbulent early 1980s, Empire of Light is a sensitive drama romance. Read more
Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical – a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 26, 2023 by Alex First
Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical sizzles with powerhouse performances and a rousing score. Read more
The Mousetrap: a theatre review by Alex First
February 23, 2023 by Alex First
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap opened in London’s West End on 25th November 1952 and has been running continuously (save for the COVID lockdown) ever since. Read more
Josh Piterman talks to J-Wire
February 22, 2023 by Alex First
Popular musical theatre performer Josh Piterman has just landed one of the roles of his life. Read more
Art: Alex First reviews Rone – Time
February 20, 2023 by Alex First
Geelong-born, Melbourne-based former street artist Rone (birth name Tyrone Wright) has crafted a remarkable time capsule three years in the making. Read more
Nosferatu, a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 17, 2023 by Alex First
The play starts with a heartfelt warning from one of the characters that only tragedy puts you on the map. Read more
Coming Out: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 16, 2023 by Alex First
Showmanship, humour, pathos, anger, overt messaging and song are part of this well-meaning but noticeably stretched offering. Read more
Prima Facie: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 13, 2023 by Alex First
Tessa Ensler (Sheridan Harbridge) is a successful barrister. Read more
Wittenoom: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 9, 2023 by Alex First
Wittenoom, the former town and declared contaminated site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, was, in short, a death trap. Read more
Spoiler Alert: a movie review by Alex First
February 9, 2023 by Alex First
As the title suggests, the outcome is writ large at the start of the film, which is based on a best-selling memoir by Michael Ausiello. Read more
Mary Poppins: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 5, 2023 by Alex First
In a word, Mary Poppins is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Read more
The Whale: a movie review by Alex First
February 3, 2023 by Alex First
The Whale is the film that excites me more than any other since lockdown. Read more
