Reviews

Mel McGlensey is Normal

By Mel McGlensey and Douglas Wilson. Directed by Sharnema Nougar. FringeWorld. The Parlour, The Pleasure Garden, Northbridge WA. Jan 21 - Feb 1, 2026

If you are planning a night out at FringeWorld, a fabulous way to end your evening is with Mel McGlensey is Normal, a perfect dessert of a show, in which self-described "alternative comedian” desires to prove themselves normal.

Trapped inside a simulation “Nor Mel” Mel needs to prove herself normal to speak at a gala, and the audience need to help. Yes, there is audience participation, but never without your consent.

Anatomy of a Rom Com

By Claire Boon. Directed by Elizabeth Hamilton. Lavender Collective and Fringe World. The Jonesway Theatre, Northbridge, WA. Jan 22-24, 2026

Anatomy of a Rom Com is a lesbian love story (that at first threatens not to be) presented by the Lavender Collective, a group of sapphic storytellers and performers. Warm and funny, it features a talented and hard-working cast.

Risque Cabaret with Jessie Gordon and Mark Turner

By Jessie Gordon. Fringe World. The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth, WA. Jan 21-25, 2026

If you want some sizzle in your Fringe viewing, you can’t go past Risque Cabaret with Jessie Gordon and Mark Turner, playing this week at The Ellington.

The glamorous jazz duo and best of friends opened their season to an almost capacity crowd who adored this gorgeously sung, and just a little bit naughty cabaret show.

Emily in Perth - This is Me

By Emily Lambert. FringeWorld. The Red Room, Leederville Hotel, WA. Jan 21 - Feb 8, 2026

If you are looking for a fabulous way to kick off your Fringe Binge for 2026, you can’t go past Emily Lambert’s Emily in Perth - This is Me. This one-woman cabaret looks at Emily’s Musical Theatre career so far, and the people and places that have shaped it, through some fabulous songs and some great stories.

Bloom and Wonder

By Liisa Nuuk and Jeromy Nuuk. Hand some Feet and Fringe World. Rehearsal Room One, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 21 - Feb 1, 2025

If Stage Whispers’ first Fringe World show for 2026 is indicative of what is to come, we are in for great Fringe World Festival. Hands some Feet’s World Premiere of Bloom and Wonder, circus for babies and toddlers, is a gentle, warm little show that clearly appealed to its target audience, judging from the giggles and wide eyed-delight.

La Ronde

Strut and Fret. The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills. Playing until February 28, 2026

It is wonderful to see a venue pumping out innovative and popular acts in these times where many producers are struggling.

The Grand Electric in Surry Hills is on a roll – having hosted the hilarious long running Titanique, then the world class naughty Garry Starr: Classic Penguins and now the classy La Ronde - a sumptuous mixture of pumping music, comedy and circus acts.

I’m Only Dating These Men Because My Uncle Bequeathed Me Money and I Need to Get Married by the End of the Year

By Trent Cliffe, Larry Costabile – and Dominic Mulligan. Theatre Works Explosives Factory. 19 – 23 January 2026

The title is the scarcely credible premise of a two-man show about love, true love, attempted marriage and gay dating.  The possibility that the uncle’s condition could be so easily got around does not arise…

Mama Does Derby

By Clare Watson & Virginia Gay. Windmill Production Company / Sydney Festival. Sydney Town Hall. Jan 15 – 22, 2026

Sydney Festival is again using the soaring grandeur of the Town Hall for its most immersive theatrical highlight.  After starring as a beachscape, a tennis court and a Wild West town, it’s now a huge oval link, spinning with the young, mainly female Sydney Roller Derby League skaters, warming up for the derby which ends this kinetic, multifaceted new show.

The dozen skaters are also speedily moving the central platforms on which the country town story of Mama Does Derby unfolds.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

By Agatha Christie, adapted by Philip Grecian. Genesian Theatre Company. Director: Ali Bendall. 17 Jan – 28 Feb, 2026

Murder mysteries continue to be the mainstay of many theatre companies. And why not? Audiences love them so they boost the budget. Designers love them because they are often set in different periods so the set and costumes can be a little extravagant, there are usually interesting sound and lighting effects. Actors love them because they usually have a big cast and quirky character … and if they were written by someone like Agatha Christie there lots of twists and turns and even a little bit of comedy.

Wake

THISISPOPBABY. Sydney Festival. Directed by Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon. Carriageworks – Bay 17. January 14 – 25, 2026

A young man in the buzzy foyer said to me as he was leaving that it was the best show he had ever seen.

Maybe he doesn’t see a lot of theatre, but it certainly was a thrilling night of entertainment - even an audience participant was so good I thought she was a plant. 

Set at an Irish wake, there was not much mourning taking place – think more like Riverdance on speed.

The creators tapped into the Irish tradition of having a raucous time at a traditional farewell.

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