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.

Three in the Bed

By Alex Broun, Scott McAteer and Owen Tubb. Unknown Creative. Rosny Barn and Calverton Hall. Tasmania. November 27-9 and December 6th, 2025.

If these three plays are indicative of the state of modern relationships, then the world has become a better place. People are still acting like people; they do strange and ill-advised things but do them with respect, dignity, humour and above all, informed consent.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Simone Young. Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. November 26, 2025

William Barton’s inventive mastery teaming his didgeridoo with classical musicians has been applauded since he was guest soloist in Peter Sculthorpe’s new Requiem 20 years ago.

Now Simone Young, with the SSO and 180 Sydney Philharmonia choristers, present the world premiere of Barton’s own composition Ayatku Muruu (One Country). The meditative 15 minute work is sung in English and his Kalkadungu language, from his country around Mount Isa in Queensland.

Carol

By Andrea Gibbs. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Adam Mitchell. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth, WA. Nov 22 - Dec 14, 2025

Black Swan State Theatre Company’s Carol is, at its heart, a tender and moving story of homelessness and resilience - especially at Christmas. This tender tale is wrapped up in some very gaudy, albeit expensive wrapping. leaving a show that grows on its audience, despite its strangeness.

Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.

By Alice Birch. Wit Incorporated. Directed by Emily O’Brien Brown. 25-29 November, 2025, Bluestone Church Arts Space & 13 December, 2025 The Bowery Theatre

Wit Incorporated is turning into the little theatre company that could with their latest production. British playwright Alice Birch created Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again as a commission for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2014. She was given the prompt, “well-behaved women seldom make history”. From this flowed the confronting, hilarious and thought-provoking play which has now been staged by Wit and directed by Emily O’Brien Brown.

The Seagull

Based on Anton Chekhov’s play. Adapted and Directed by Saro Lusty-Cavallari. Presented by Montague Basement in association with Bakehouse Theatre, at KXT On Broadway, Sydney. 21 November – 6 December, 2025

I must have seen Chekhov’s brilliant play half a dozen times and each time his elusive, guileless style of writing – no matter how adapted or tangled – wins through. First performed in 1896 Russia, and now in a full-on Australian adaptation by Saro Lusty-Cavallari set in 2020, the early days of the recent COVID experience, The Seagull remains outstandingly witty and lively. Directed lustily by its adapter, this 9-character play has come to the little Broadway space in Sydney for a two-week stay, which I fully recommend.

Cash on Delivery

By Michael Cooney. Director Ian Fletcher. Henry Lawson Theatre Company, Werrington, NSW. 21-29 November, 2025

Cash on Delivery is a typical British farce of its time. It’s fast, funny – and based on a scam that is not as improbable today as it might have been in 1996 when the play was first produced. Why? Its protagonist, Eric Swan, is a con artist who has been defrauding the government by claiming multiple welfare benefits for some years. Sound familiar?

But, as is right, the authorities are on to him! An investigator arrives – and as Eric tries to escape through a seemingly bottomless rabbit hole, chaos ensues.

Cowbois

By Charlie Josephine. Siren Theatre Co. Seymour Centre, Sydney. November 20 – December 13, 2025

Cowbois is a riotous show about women left alone in a sleepy Wild West town while their menfolk go off to find gold. Life turns very queer when a famous bandit, the handsome and ever-so charming trans, Jack Cannon (an enigmatic Jules Billington) arrives in town.

Touched by Jack’s stardust and spirited arms-high dancing, the women crave him, some turn to each other for satisfaction, others thrill to dressing as cowboys. An alcoholic sheriff is the only male left but soon he’s on the wagon and into silks.

The Mousetrap

Writer: Agatha Christie. Director: Sharon White. New Farm Nash Theatre. Playing November 21 - December 6, 2025.

The Mousetrap holds the record for the longest running professional play in England at over seventy years with a small COVID break. Here is a chance to see a good production in our own back yard. The play is set in a mansion house that the relatively new owners decided to rent on room-by-room basis. At the start there are five guests, unknown to each other and the owners but they seem relatively normal. Then how can you tell. When we learn that house is snowed in and there has been a recent murder in the relative region, the focus on the various characters intensified.

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