Reviews

A Few Good Men

Written by Aaron Sorkin. Directed by Daniel Evans. Presented by Queensland Theatre in association with QPAC. Playhouse QPAC, 22 November - 7 December, 2025

Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom juggernaut has invaded QPAC’s Playhouse with all the controlled force of a well-drilled platoon. Under Daniel Evans’ meticulously calibrated direction, A Few Good Men becomes less a nostalgia piece from the ’80s and more a full-throated study of power, loyalty, and the brittle machinery of institutional honour. It is also, quite thrillingly, a rare opportunity to see a cast of this size take on dramatic text on a scale usually reserved for musical ensembles. QTC - you’ve spoiled us and we love it!

The Glass Menagerie

By Tennessee Williams. State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA). Odeon Theatre, Norwood, Adelaide. 15 Nov – 7 Dec 2025

One approaches yet another production of The Glass Menagerie with the same cautious optimism one reserves for blind dates and “experimental” cocktails. Thus, it is a pleasure, an almost indecent relief, to report that the State Theatre Company of South Australia’s latest outing, under the direction of Shannon Rush, is not only admirable but often downright enchanting. For $60, one may sit in the Odeon Theatre and feel that this modern classic has, for the most part, been treated with the kindness and respect it deserves.

Bernstein & Busoni

Trouble in Tahiti by Leonard Bernstein and Arlecchino by Ferruccio Busoni. Endangered Playhouse Productions. Director Christine Logan. Musical Director Peter Alexander. Eternity Playhouse Darlinghurst. 28 Nov – 7 Dec, 2025

Endangered Productions continues its commitment to presenting lesser known “music and theatrical treasures” in this ‘double act’ of two short operas – both based on the theme of marriage, but vastly different in style and music.

Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, written in 1952, is a serious exposé of the cracks in communication and romance in a suburban marriage, albeit with a cheeky scat jazz chorus that sets the scene in middle class cities across America

The Space Between

Written by various composers. Performed by Solstice Guitar Duo for Brisbane Music Festival. FourthWall Arts. 29 November, 2025

Solstice Guitar Duo (Clancy Anderson and Dominic Ward) have the rare gift of balancing fierce technical command with a warmth that makes the room exhale. They play like musicians who know exactly what they’re doing, but speak to their audience like humans who simply love sharing good music. As a result, The Space Between was a program built on colour, contrast, and emotional breadth, and the duo delivered it with focus, elegance and an easy, grounded charm between pieces.

Nihilistic Optimism on Trampolines

Written & directed by Kasey Barratt with text from Frankenstein and Mary Shelley’s personal journals. Theatre Works. 26 November – 6 December 2025

It’s a slow day at the Trampoline World store.  An unlikely competition is suggested to wake up the bored, disaffected, fractious and listless staff: everyone is to write a ‘ghost story’.  Such is the premise – or set-up – of Kasey Barrett’s ingenious, insightful, but sometimes contrived play.

Jaws: For Kids!

Written and Performed by Ellen Hardisty and Natalie Bochenski. Presented by Act/React for Toucan Club Festival. PIP Theatre, 29 November - 13 December, 2025

How do you take one of cinema’s most terrifying thrillers and turn it into a feel-good romp for little humans? If you’re the team behind Jaws: For Kids!, the answer lies in clever writing, sharp comic instincts, and an abundance of heart. Presented by Act/React at PIP Theatre as part of the Toucan Club Festival, this bite-sized adaptation proves that even the most fearsome great white can learn to play nice, and make a roomful of children giggle themselves silly.

A Musical Odyssey

Daniel Müller-Schott with Konstantin Shamray. Melbourne Recital Centre. 31 Sturt Street, Southbank. 25 November, 2025

One might expect a Tuesday evening recital to be sparsely attended. This Tuesday, one would have been surprised. Elisabeth Murdoch Hall was filled with concert-goers of all ages, ready to hear two internationally acclaimed musicians: cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and concert pianist Konstantin Shamray.

Snow White and the Seven Tradies: the pantomime

Written and directed by Cath Willacy. Cairns Little Theatre. November 28th to December 13th, 2025.

Just when you have seen about every version of the Snow White ,story along comes another one. But this version, written and directed by Cath Willacy, is a cracker!

The seven dwarfs have been retired and in their place come seven tradies who spend a lot of time dancing, singing and handling tools but doing very little work. But without Indiana Jones (Chippy), Lila Bordujenko (Sparky), Caden Sintome (Bricky), Emrys Birkbeck-McKay (Lou), Oberon Birbeck-McKay (Gofer), Alice Macdonald (Arty) and Michelle Andrews (Noodles), Snow White would be toast.

Born on a Thursday

By Jack Kearney. New Ghosts Theatre Company. Directed by Lucy Clements. Old Fitz Theatre, Woolloomooloo, Sydney. 28 November – 14 December 2025

It has been a while. Here’s a full-length new Sydney play delivering its tough message to an audience that’s holding its breath watching a truly excellent 5-strong cast at work. Nothing can stop the magic, not even loud noise from a team of bellowers in the room above. Jack Kearney’s great drama, expertly directed by Lucy Clements, proved to be the winner.

Corporel

Various composers. Performed by Alex Raineri. Brisbane Music Festival. FourthWall Arts. November 28, 2025

A lot of performances are called ‘unforgettable’ by us hyperbole-prone reviewer types, yet few truly are written in indelible ink on one’s hippocampus. There’s not even a smidgeon of hyperbole in the following statement: I will never forget Corporel.

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