Reviews

My Brilliant Career

A new musical based on the novel by Miles Franklin. Book by Sheridan Harbridge & Dean Bryant, music by Mathew Frank and lyrics by Dean Bryant. Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company. Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks. Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, 140 Southbank Blvd, Melbourne. 23 January – 28 February 2026.

This iconic Australian novel seems an unlikely contender for a musical adaptation. However, this production transforms the novel into a vibrant contemporary performance that inevitably sweeps the audience away. This is thanks to a variety of strengths that make this an unmissable and fabulously idiosyncratic Australian experience.

God’s Cowboy

By Les Solomon. Little Stormy Productions. In association with Lambert House Productions. Directed by Ella Morris. Flight Path Theatre. January 21 - February 21, 2026

Sydney is hosting some high-profile arts events as part of the Mardis Gras Festival – but God’s Cowboy has the bragging rights for most ambitious new Australian work.

How wonderful to see a well-resourced independent theatre production with so much excellent young talent on the stage and behind the scenes.

Producer/Agent Les Solomon has more energy than some people a third of his age. He often produces plays with a queer theme but in this case, he’s penned it himself.  

#Since 1994

By Mei Chi-Ling. Eye Catching Circus, Cluster Arts Global Pty Ltd and Fringe World. The Gold Digger, The Pleasure Garden, Northbridge, WA. Jan 21 - Feb 1, 2026

#Since 1994 features an all-female acrobatic team from Thailand. Impressive, balletic and often funny, this show is in in its last few days at FringeWorld.

The Social Ladder

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Janine Watson. 23 January – 14 March 2026

Just when we thought he was done with playwriting, David Williamson comes back to his Ensemble Theatre ‘home’ with a new play for the third time in two years. And there’s a 4th play due to open at the end of July when he’ll be 84! Has an elderly Australian playwright ever presented 4 new plays in 2 years before? 

Cirque Nouvelle

Produced by Cameo Rascale Entertainment. Wendouree Performing Arts Centre. 24th Jan, 2026 and touring.

Those living in the major cities of Australia have access to a plethora of entertainment: musicals, plays, concerts, cabarets, indie productions - the list is endless.

But for those in regional cities, the pickings are generally far slimmer, and what theatre there is, usually comes for one night only. And if you have a prior engagement…tough.

P*RN

Written & directed by Keelan Armstrong. Midsumma Festival. Explosives Factory, Theatre Works. 27 – 31 January 2025

A show about pornography?  Why?  Because it’s there, it’s a fact, it’s huge, it’s all pervasive but strangely hidden, it’s part of many, many people’s lives, but… Let’s not talk about it.  P*RN personalises the subject, drags the dark secrets into the light…

Any Moment

Book, Music and Lyrics by Bradley McCaw. Pilot Pathways Production produced by Bradley McCaw and Pip Theatre. Pip Theatre, Brisbane. 22-24 January, 2025

Being the first musical to be developed by the Australian Musical Theatre Festival (2019), this profit-share pilot production has been created to showcase local musical theatre talent, most notably graduates from the Griffith Conservatorium Musical Theatre program in Brisbane. Creator Bradley McCaw began writing what was initially conceived as a song cycle in 2018, gradually expanding the work through the addition of new material and a series of try-outs across various venues, including a recording of selected original songs.

The Day After the End of the World

By Maya Djurdjevic. University Dramatic Society and FringeWorld. Auditorium at Midland Junction Arts Centre, WA. Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2026

It is rare to see a full-length play at FringeWorld, and I was pleased to see University Dramatic Society (UDS) mount this World Premiere Apocalypse play at the Midland Junction Arts Centre. Well written, and with a good cast, it’s great to see UDS back at Fringe and sharing their talents off campus.

Hänsel and Gretel

Composed by Englebert Humperdinck. Libretto by Adelheid Wette. Opera Australia. Originally Directed by Elijah Moshinsky. Revival Director Claudia Osborne. Set & Costume: Designer Mark Thompson. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. January 27 to February 28, 2026

The ten-year-old girl sitting next to me with her mother was utterly entranced – switching focus between the action on stage, and the TV screen behind us of the conductor Tahu Matherson waving his baton for the cast.

The music with its German folk influences - like the birthday cake house set at the end of the opera – was scrumptious.

Josh Staley: Wacky Wizardry Goes Wrong

By Josh Staley. Fringe World. George Room at MC Hub, Chelsea Social Bar and Restaurant, Murray St, Perth WA. Jan 24 - Feb 1, 2026

Wacky Wizard Goes Wrong is a high energy magic show aimed at kids. Wild, wacky and almost as much comedy as magic, this show had its young audience see sawing between rolling around laughing and being simply stunned.

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