Reviews

The Doll Trilogy: Kid Stakes, Other Times, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

By Ray Lawler. Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Melbourne. 10 February – 11 April 2026

Cane cutter mates Roo (Ben Prendergast) and Barney (John Leary) come down from Queensland in the off season – or ‘layoff’.  By chance, they run into a couple of girls – Olive (Ngaire Dawn Fair) and Nancy (Emily Goddard) – at the aquarium and end up as boarders and more at the Carlton boarding house run by Olive’s mother Emma (Caroline Lee).

Le Nor (The Rain)

By Adriane Daff, Arielle Gray, Chris Isaacs and Tim Watts. The Last Great Hunt / Perth Festival. Directed by Diane Daff, Matt Edgerton and Tim Watts. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Feb 25-28, 2026

First commissioned in 2019, The Last Great Hunt’s Le Nor returns to Perth Festival to be seen by a larger audience. Conceptually very exciting Le Nor (The Rain) recreates a foreign film live on stage, every night.

Exit Laughing

By Paul Elliott. Wanneroo Repertory. Directed by Andrew Covey and Karen Tropiano. The Limelight Theatre, Wanneroo, WA. Feb 12-28, 2026

Wanneroo Repertory’s opening show for 2026 is the black comedy Exit Laughing. Nicely polished and well performed, this was a positive way to open the year.

The Booster Protocol

By PVI Collective. Perth Festival. Booster Headquarters, 79 Barrack St, Perth, WA. Feb 22-28, 2026

This “Choose Your Own Adventure” show is a Perth Festival Commission, and the most important tip I can give you is that your experience will not be the same as mine. The experience starts at the Boost Travel Agent in Barrack Street. It is right next door to the Liberty Theatre, and even though you were at the Liberty last week, and could swear that the travel agency wasn’t there, it has the feel of being there forever.

A Curious Thing - The Story of Mary Anning

By Michael Mills. Heaps Good Productions, Adelaide Fringe. 25 Feb - 21 Mar, 2026

The old theatre saying is, ‘Don’t act with children or dogs,’ and both are key elements in this story. Not simply a one-hander, Director/Writer Michael Mills powerfully uses the voices of Mary Anning, from three stages of her life, and rather than a predictable chronology, they appear together, performing both separately, and as one. Adele Binns as Mary aged 11 is a vocal and character powerhouse. She is one to watch. Equally, Mia Ferraretto, as 24-year-old Mary, moves confidently, and sings and acts with passion.

Infamous

By Joseph Ashton (Founder/Director). Main Stage at Infamous Theatre, Ellis Park, Adelaide Fringe Festival. 20 February – 22 March 2026.

Under the glittering lights of the big top at Adelaide Fringe, Infamous explodes onto the stage in a riot of sex appeal, jaw-dropping skill and unapologetic attitude. Sexy, raunchy and…wow — just wow! This is circus like no other, a circus with a deliciously dangerous edge.

Deadlines

By Max Gipson. Directed by Max Gipson. Fringe World. Theatre One, Hayman Theatre, Curtin University Bentley, WA. Jan 29 - Feb 6, 2026

Deadlines is a piece of apocalyptic theatre, that doesn’t take itself terribly seriously, pointing out that “the end of the world” is a popular premise for amateur theatre productions. Clever, fresh and very funny, we follow two mismatched co-workers as they count down the minutes until their ultimate demise.

Barton and Brodsky, Ancient strings, living spirit.

Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre. Featuring Brodsky Quartet and William Barton. Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank, Melbourne. 25 February 2025.

The members of the London based Brodsky Quartet include Krysia Osostowicz (violin), Ian Belton (violin), Paul Cassidy (viola), and Jacqueline Thomas (cello). Their history dates back to the early 1970s and they combine their rich tradition and renowned precision with the absolutely enchanting work of the Australian musician William Barton. Barton has been described as a magician and when he plays the Yidaki it becomes evident why; his performance is incredibly spellbinding. 

Evil Dead the Musical

Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt, Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt. Stoddart Entertainment. Seymour Centre, February 24 - March 21, 2026. Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne. March 26 - April 12, 2026

This musical literally is a scream. If you can stomach it, see it up close in the splatter-zone. That is the two front rows.

We were assigned seats A9 and A10. During interval ponchos were provided to repel the fake blood. You think you are safe if someone is being stabbed on stage left – but no there are little squirters coming in all directions. (Ruth and David Spicer, pictured right.)

Haribo Kimchi

By Jaha Koo. Perth Festival. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA. Feb 18-22, 2026

This Perth Festival offering, Haribo Kimchi, is a curious blend of autobiographical monologue, clever projection, and the smell of Korean cooking, which is consumed and enjoyed by two lucky audience members.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.