Reviews

West Gate

By Dennis McIntosh. Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, directed by Iain Sinclair. Southbank Theatre, The Sumner 140 Southbank Blvd, Southbank, Melbourne. 10 March — 18 April 2026

At 11.50 am on 15 October 1970, the West Gate bridge collapsed while under construction killing 35 workers. Despite being an historically well-documented event this tragedy has often been buried in the Australian and Victorian psyche. 

Eden

By Kate Gaul. Siren Theatre Company. Adelaide Fringe 2026. The Gallery at The Courtyard of Curiosities. March 17th - 22nd, 2026

Siren Theatre Company is based in Sydney. Established in 1997, one of its objectives is to commission and produce new Australian plays. At its helm as artistic director is the talented and experienced writer, director and producer, Kate Gaul. Gaul’s world premiere Eden is a coming-of-age story, but one that is shaped by death, familiarity, love and fractured families.

A Song at Twilight

By Noël Coward. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. Mar 13-28, 2026

The curtains open on the Old Mill Theatre’s A Song at Twilight to reveal a stunningly beautiful set, that sets the standard for this Noël Coward classic.

The action in this play runs essentially in real time, over the course of a single evening in a luxurious lake-side Swiss Hotel, within the regular suite of Hugh Latimer and his wife Hilde. When an old flame of Hugo’s comes to meet him for dinner in his suite, what could possibly go wrong?

Witness For the Prosecution

By Agatha Christie. Primadonna Productions. Directed by Carole Dhu. The Fishtrap Theatre, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA. Mar 13-14, 2026

Playing for a sadly short season, this simply staged, beautifully produced Agatha Christie classic is one of the best plays ever to come out of Primadonna Productions. Nicely paced and with strong, layered performances, this was a joy to watch.

Brassed Off

By Paul Allen, adapted from the screenplay by Mark Herman. Melville Theatre. Directed by Vanessa Jensen. Main Hall at Melville Civic Centre, Booragoon, WA. Mar 13-28, 2026

Melville Theatre’s Brassed Off is a unique production, with Melville Theatre Company working with Challenge Brass Band, under the leadership of Blake Seglar, to provide the brass band of the story. Sitting nicely in accidental repertory with Koorliny’s Billy Elliot, which covers similar theme, this is a strong production whose reputation has preceded it, with the production largely sold out before it opened.

Sicks-teen

By Max Ray. Bavarde Cabaret Bar as part of Adelaide Fringe Festival. March 7 – 14, 2026.

Adelaide Fringe has always prided itself on being an open access festival. Open to anyone who wants to put on a show, and anyone who wants to see one, but as a disabled maker and theatre goer, in previous years this has always felt like a flashy catch all subtitle, when in reality for many individuals, performers and patrons alike with hidden disabilities, this has not always been the case.

Flora

The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre, with artists from Orchestra Victoria. Conductor: Jonathan Lo. Choreography: Frances Rings.The Regent Theatre, Melbourne, 12 – 21 March, 2026 then Sydney 7 – 18 April.

Commissioned by David Hallberg and the Australian Ballet and choreographed by Frances Rings, Flora is jaw-dropping. It seems almost pointless to review this wonderful piece because there are only so many ways you can say that something is brilliant.  However, lets dive into the thesaurus and see what we come up with.

What Was That?

Written, Produced and Directed by Alaine Beek. Essence Theatre Productions. Werribee Park Mansion, Melbourne. March 14, 2026 and ongoing performances most weekends.

Step through the doors of history and prepare to be utterly transported. In this riveting 90-minute two-hander, the extraordinary true story of one of Victorian history’s most eminent families, the Chirnsides, bursts thrillingly back to life.

Play On!

By Rick Abbott. Tweed Theatre Company. Tweed Heads Civic Centre Auditorium. 14 - 29 March, 2026

Play On! is a fast-paced farce, a zany play-within-a-play, taking audiences behind the scenes of a beleaguered community theatre. They are trying desperately to put on a new play, despite maddening interference from the novice playwright who keeps revising the script.

Jackson v Jackson

Presented by Gospo Pty Ltd. Fringe at The Peacock at Gluttony. 10 March – 22 March 2026.

The energy inside the Peacock Tent at the Adelaide Fringe was electric as the audience packed in for the sensational Jackson vs Jackson at Gluttony. What followed was nothing short of world-class entertainment! This show was an exhilarating celebration of the music of Michael and Janet Jackson delivered with breathtaking artistry, precision and soul.

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