Sunshine Super Girl: a theatre review by Alex First
November 13, 2022 by Alex First
Respectful, determined and humble. That is the picture that emerges of Australian tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Sunshine Super Girl, a moniker given to her by the British press. Read more
Gundog (Three Fates Theatre) reviewed by Alex First
November 11, 2022 by Alex First
The rough lot of an impoverished farming clan is front and centre in Gundog, a dramatic and confronting play with lashes of humour. Read more
Verdi’s Attila: another masterpiece – reviewed by Victor Grynberg
November 2, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
Giuseppe Verdi, in the judgement of many, was the greatest ever composer of operas. Read more
Urinetown: The Musical – Melbourne review by Alex First
November 1, 2022 by Alex First
A 20-year drought has led to the blatant exploitation of the underprivileged. Read more
Girls & Boys: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
October 28, 2022 by Alex First
A sharp and witty British woman unpicks her life before our eyes and what a life it has been. Read more
DanceX Part II: reviewed by Alex First
October 26, 2022 by Alex First
The Australian premiere of Johan Inger’s comic, romantic dance theatre piece I New Then, set to songs by Van Morrison, is superb. Read more
Alex First reviews Romeo and Juliet performed by the Australian Ballet
October 12, 2022 by Alex First
After a 19-year hiatus, the emotion-charged, highly acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet by choreographer John Cranko takes centre stage at Arts Centre Melbourne. Read more
The Meeting: a theatre review by Alex First
October 7, 2022 by Alex First
A secret imaginary rendezvous between two towering but polar opposite African American leaders plays out in The Meeting. Read more
Ghost Stories: a theatre review by Alex First
October 3, 2022 by Alex First
An engaging professor of parapsychology talks us through the history of ghost stories – how they came to be and how they have evolved over time. Read more
Cyrano: a theatre review by Alex First
September 30, 2022 by Alex First
A massive triumph. The MTC production of the season. A talented cast, headlined by writer and star Virginia Gay proves that the pen is mightier than the sword. Read more
Instruments of Dance (The Australian Ballet): reviewed by Alex First
September 28, 2022 by Alex First
The second line of Peter Allen’s iconic anthem, I Still Call Australia Home, contains the words “From New York to Rio and old London Town”. Read more
The Phantom of the Opera: a review by Victor Grynberg
September 14, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
A season virtually sold out before opening night was a definite indication that the local audience was expecting something special from the first Sydney Opera House staging of this mega-hit. Read more
Shake Rattle ‘N’ Roll: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
September 2, 2022 by Alex First
A cavalcade of song, movement and colour, Shake Rattle ‘N’ Roll breathes new life into the sounds of the ‘50s and ’60s with entertainment aplenty. Read more
Lucrezia Borgia: an opera review by Alex First
August 29, 2022 by Alex First
Soaring vocals and a bravura performance by soprano Helena Dix are among the many highlights of Lucrezia Borgia, in which subterfuge and skulduggery abound. Read more
Anna K: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
August 22, 2022 by Alex First
By their very nature, human relationships are often messy. The vast majority don’t hit the headlines, but public figures are considered “fair game”. Read more
Hairspray: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
August 21, 2022 by Alex First
The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme. Read more
Laurinda: A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First
August 18, 2022 by Alex First
Bullying and racism are not acceptable in any environment and yet the schoolyard can be a hotbed of discontent. Read more
I am Emilia Bassano: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
August 17, 2022 by Alex First
What’s the truism? Behind every great man, there is a woman. Read more
The Marvellous Life of Carlo Gatti: A theatre review by Alex First
August 10, 2022 by Alex First
A pianist from an ice cream parlour (Connor Dariol), a psychologist (Shamita Siva) and a physicist (El Kiley) get together. Read more
The Importance of Being Jewish: a theatre review by Alex First
August 9, 2022 by Alex First
A romp, The Importance of Being Jewish showcases playwright Rob Selzer’s insight and wit. Read more
Unsolicited Male: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
July 29, 2022 by Alex First
A boss oversteps the mark and the consequences are devastating in Ron Elisha’s incendiary Unsolicited Male. Read more
Caligula (Burning House) at Theatre Works, as reviewed by Alex First
July 20, 2022 by Alex First
There will be blood. That expression well sums up the tyrannical reign of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula. He was the third Roman emperor, who ruled from the years 37 to 41, before he was assassinated. Read more
Il Trovatore: an opera review by Murray Dahm
July 18, 2022 by Murray Dahm
This new production of Verdi’s 1853 opera Il Trovatore directed by Davide Livermore had all the bells and whistles – the 14 LED digital panels supplemented with big, old-fashioned set pieces and a wonderful cast. Read more
9 to 5: The Musical – State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, as reviewed by Alex First
July 17, 2022 by Alex First
9 to 5 The Musical is energetic, sassy and colourful. Read more
Behind the scenes: La traviata assistant director Warwick Doddrell
July 15, 2022 by Murray Dahm
Opera Australia assistant director for the La traviata season Warwick Doddrell was first bitten by the theatre bug in the 1990s watching the Essgee Entertainment productions of Gilbert & Sullivan show starring Jon English (The Pirates of Penzance (1994), The Mikado (1995) and H.M.S. Pinafore (1997). Read more
Secrets: a theatre review from Melbourne by Alex First
July 13, 2022 by Alex First
Just how good are you at keeping secrets? Read more
Stacey Alleaume magnificent in classic Traviata triumph
July 8, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
If Giuseppe Verdi is indeed the greatest opera composer (which I certainly think he is ) then among his many great compositions La Traviata must surely be close to the very top…writes Victor Grynberg. Read more
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
Madama Butterfly: an opera review by Victor Grynberg
July 3, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
Bravo Opera Australia, which once more has given us an unforgettable evening. 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
