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).

Fag/Stag

Written by Jeffrey Jay Fowler & Chris Isaacs. Little Stormy Productions in association with Lambert House Enterprises. Directed by Les Solomon. Qtopia Sydney Sub-Station. March 7 - 21, 2026

This is a terrific little play, beautifully acted and realised in an appropriate location at the heart of Mardi Gras Sydney.

But this is not just a work for an LGBTQI+ audience as it is a gritty look at a friendship between an alpha straight young male and his gay friend, both navigating the choppy seas of love and hook-ups.

Written in Perth over ten years ago, the play has been a festival favourite around the world and it has lost none of its punch.

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde. The Guild Theatre, Rockdale. Directed by Brendan Jones. March 6 – 28, 2026

Some plays never lose their sparkle, and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is one of them — a work that rewards each return with fresh laughter and renewed admiration for its razor-sharp wit. There is something wonderfully fitting about experiencing it at the Guild Theatre, where wooden seats and the venue’s enduring charm provide the perfect backdrop for Wilde’s wit, and the familiar theatre lights beckon theatre-lovers inside.

All Sorts 5

All New Bite Sized Plays. Henry Lawson Theatre Company, Werrington, NSW. 6 – 21 Mar, 2026

Few community theatre companies reach outside the box for their material. They usually   choose plays that stretch their actors and creatives – and appeal to their audiences. The folk at Henry Lawson Theatre Company do something a little different for one part of their season each year. They invite aspiring playwrights in the company and the local area to submit short plays for their “All Sorts” program.

Eat the Rich (but maybe not my mates x)

By Jade Franks. Adelaide Fringe 2026. The Studio - Holden Street Theatres. February 17th - March 22nd, 2026

Jade Franks is a writer and performer from Liverpool in the UK - she was the recipient of the Holden Street Theatres’ Edinburgh Fringe Award. This award was established to bring high-quality independent theatre from Edinburgh to the Adelaide Fringe. It’s a crucial bridge for international artists to reach Australian audiences. Franks has won many awards for her artistic endeavours and it's easy to see why after witnessing her latest production.

Elixir Revived

Head First Acrobats Pty Ltd. Adelaide Fringe. The Vault @ Fool’s Paradise. Victoria Square, Adelaide. Feb 18 – March 22, 2026

What happens when you leave four grown men alone with experimental scientific elixirs designed to enhance performance? You get chaos, excitement, but most of all, you get fun!

The Pink List

Fabulett Productions. Adelaide Fringe 2026. Ruby’s - Holden Street Theatres. February 20th - March 8th, 2026

Michael Trauffer is the creator and performer of The Pink List. Collaborating with Sarah Morrison since 2023, this musical is inspired by the real-life experiences of gay concentration camp survivors. The story is drawn from historical facts and firsthand accounts; particularly those of Karl Gorath, Heinz Dormer and Joseph Kohout.

The Trouble with Harry

By Lachlan Philpott. Adelaide Fringe. Presented by the Flinders Drama Centre. The Barbara Hardy Garden at Holden Street Theatres. Tue, 03 Mar - Sun, 08 Mar, 2026

With more than 50 years as a leader in offering professional training for actors, directors and playwrights, the Flinders Drama Centre production of The Trouble with Harry is the perfect vehicle to showcase graduates of their intensive industry-ready program. With alumni including actors Amber McMahon and Noni Hazlehurst, and internationally acclaimed director Scott Hicks, the centre has an impressive reputation for preparing skilled and versatile theatre company members, and this show is yet another example.

Michael Paynter – The Great Australian Songbook Tour

Presented by Michael Paynter. Adelaide Fringe at Aurora Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights. 4 March 2026.

Attending Michael Paynter: The Great Australian Songbook Live at the Aurora Spiegeltent as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival was a genuinely memorable night of music, storytelling, and heartfelt performance. Fresh from an acclaimed season in musical theatre which included a celebrated portrayal of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Paynter stepped into a more intimate setting with this stripped-back tour that celebrates Australian artists whose songs that have influenced his musical identity.

Every Brilliant Thing

By Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe. Directed by Timothy Wynn. JUTE Theatre Company, Cairns. March 4-14, 2026.

One man shows have the possibly of being exceedingly boring, however, this performance in Every Brilliant Thing by actor Jason Klarwein had the audience wanting more.

Klarwein commenced his performance on the sparse but compact in-the-round-set, by getting off his chair in the audience and communicating in a normal voice. There was no grand drum-roll entrance, nor did he try to impress with Richard Burton-like vocals. Klarwein, casually dressed, simply talked to us. 

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