Reviews

Urinetown

By Mark Hollman and Greg Kotkis. Western Sky. Directed by Andrew Baker. The Liberty Theatre, Barrack St, Perth, WA. Nov 7-15, 2025

It is a great couple of weeks for theatre in WA, and amongst the best of the best is Western Sky’s Urinetown, perhaps the funniest musical you will ever see. Expertly directed by Andrew Baker, lovingly and superbly performed and accompanied by a top-notch ensemble, it is perhaps not surprising that this show is all but sold out.

Rising Water

By Tim Winton. Three River Theatre. Directed by Sonja and Cameron Hindrum. Earl Arts Centre, Launceston. 12-15 November, 2025

Since arriving in Launceston a year ago, I’ve been continually impressed, not just by the production standards across the board, but also by the consistent ‘difficulty factor’ of the texts being tackled. This can make writing reviews difficult also, so please bear with me.

Two Prosecutors

Sharmill Films. In cinemas from Nov 15, 2025

Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa has carved out a career making heavy hitting political dramas and documentaries. His new gritty historical drama, set in 1937, is based on a novella by Georgy Demidov, who was a gulag survivor during Stalin’s Great Purge.

So Young

By Douglas Maxwell. Director Sam O’Sullivan. Outhouse Theatre Co. Old Fitz Theatre. 7 – 22 Nov, 2025

“It’s a story populated not by heroes and villains but by people. Messy, hilarious, infuriating, beautiful people – dealing with the same inevitable changes that life throw at all of us”.

Sam O’Sullivan - Director

Pretty Woman: the Musical

Book by Garry Marshall & J.F. Lawton. Music and Lyrics by Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance. Directed by Jerry Mitchell. Presented by JONES Theatrical Group, ATG Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions. QPAC Lyric Theatre, October 4 to November 23, 2025

There’s an undeniable buzz in the Lyric Theatre when those five, recognisable, opening notes strike. The audience knows exactly what they’ve come for: the big budget musical glitz, the fantasy of fairytale romance, the iconic fashion, and the quotable lines of dialogue. Pretty Woman: The Musical meets those expectations at QPAC with Hollywood sparkle and Broadway polish, offering a night of familiar comfort and pop-rock nostalgia for fans of the film.

Tons of Money

By Alan Ayckbourn. Original version by Will Evans and Arthur Valentine. The Guild Theatre, Rockdale. November 7 – 29, 2025

Looking for light, bright, somewhat off-the-wall entertainment, some silliness in the lead-up to the silly season. If you’re in Sydney, The Guild Theatre in Rockdale has just the ticket.

Blackadder II

Adapted by Dan Bellis and Harrison Ewart-Dart from the BBC television series written by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton and John Lloyd. Beaumaris Theatre. November 7-22, 2025

The beloved 1980s Blackadder series has been adapted to create an hilarious 3-act stage show now on stage at Beaumaris Theatre. Co-directors, Dan Bellis and Harrison Ewart-Dart adapted three episodes from the BBC television series 2 written by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton and John Lloyd, to create Blackadder II.

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown

Based on the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner. Additional dialogue by Michael Mayer. Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. EUCMS (now Beacon Musical Society). Director: Penny Wilson. Epping Baptist Church, NSW. 1 -15 Nov, 2925

After 60 years Eastwood Uniting Church Musical Society (EUCMS) has faced the challenge of a changing its name to Beacon Musical Society. It’s a big decision which they are facing with “courage and optimism” just like the five-year-old characters in Charles M. Schulz’s whimsical comic strip “Peanuts”.  Like Snoopy, they will face the “Red Barons” of community theatre – rising rents, falling ticket sales, finding willing helpers – in a Sopwith Camel biplane of hope and enthusiasm.

Soirée

Presented by the Academy of Queensland Ballet. Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, November 6–8, 2025

There’s something quietly transcendent about Soirée, Queensland Ballet Academy’s luminous 2025 season, a production that doesn’t just unite dance, music, and visual art, but lets them breathe together like three parts of the same soul. Inspired by the intricate woodblock prints of Cressida Campbell AM, Soirée is an evening that turns stillness into movement, translating brushstroke into breath, canvas into choreography.

The Whale

By Samuel D Hunter. University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. The Little Theatre. 7-16 November, 2025

Rarely do I review a play where I am unable to make comment on an area for improvement or a characterisation that just didn’t quite hit the mark, but The Whale, presented by the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild is flawless. It is visceral, powerful, claustrophobic and uplifting all at the same time. Geoff Brittain is to be lauded for assembling a wonderfully talented cast of five who bring the play to life with empathy and deep understanding of character.

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