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
Madama Butterfly: An opera review by Murray Dahm
March 27, 2023 by Murray Dahm
This Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (HOSH) production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly was first seen in 2014 and here makes its triumphant return ‘home.’ 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
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
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 Rocky Horror Show: reviews by Henry Benjamin
February 24, 2023 by Henry Benjamin
With a massive musical intro, it was time again to see the Roxy Cinema candy seller part the curtains and send us off on to the wild ride that is The Rocky Horror Show. 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
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
Mary Poppins: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
February 5, 2023 by Alex First
In a word, Mary Poppins is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Read more
Sunday: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
January 23, 2023 by Alex First
Sunday Reed is a firecracker. Read more
Motherlod_^e: a theatre review by Alex First
January 10, 2023 by Alex First
Sixty-five minutes of glorious mayhem. Read more
Mozart’s evil hero Don Giovanni brilliantly portrayed writes Victor Grynberg
January 8, 2023 by Victor Grynberg
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is often described as one of the big three of classical composition, along with Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. Read more
Madagascar The Musical: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
January 6, 2023 by Alex First
A musical for the littlies – I speak of preschoolers and primary school age children – Madagascar The Musical is based on the successful animated motion picture. Read more
Slava’s Snowshow: A theatre review by Alex First
December 30, 2022 by Alex First
Vanya Polunin is to clowning what Sir Donald Bradman was to cricket – a genius. Read more
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat: a theatre review by Alex First
December 29, 2022 by Alex First
A new Pharoah has stepped into Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Read more
Moulin Rouge! The Musical: A Sydney theatre review by Alex First
December 16, 2022 by Alex First
Polished performances, magnificent mashups, elegant and evocative sets, colourful and creative costumes, and charismatic choreography are the highlights of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. A striking spectacle. Read more
Monsters: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
November 27, 2022 by Alex First
As children, what did we fear the most? That the boogie man will get us. Read more
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
November 20, 2022 by Alex First
Straight from the West End, the new, reimagined production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is a delightful, fun, engaging and dynamic family musical. Read more
The Phantom of the Opera: Alex First reviews the Melbourne production
November 15, 2022 by Alex First
Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterful work The Phantom of the Opera sizzles. Read more
