Reviews

HENRY LAWSON THEATRE Henry Lawson Theatre’s All Sorts  is an amazing celebration of theatre creatives. In this, its fifth iteration, the audience is treated to 8 original short plays performed by 22 passionate performers guided by 8 devoted directors. The plays are funny, thought provoking and delightfully Australian in their take on li fe. Photography Rebecca Fletcher & Jacqueline Felangue Act 1 opens with To Be Frank, Richie , a cheeky spoof on old school cricket fans. Sue

PACA Productions The whole evening at The Concourse had that lovely buzz you only get when a show genuinely means something to the people who’ve come to see it. Before the lights even dimmed, the foyer was awash with tiny Elsas—sparkling capes, careful plaits, and the kind of wide‑eyed anticipation that makes you remember the joy and magic of theatre. PACA’s Australian amateur premiere of Frozen  leans into that atmosphere beautifully. Once the show began, it was clear how mu

Wollongong Workshop Theatre Wollongong Workshop Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‑Time  is a stirring reminder of what community theatre can achieve when storytelling, creativity, and emotional intelligence converge. As an English teacher, I’m familiar with the original tale by Mark Haddon but up to this point had never seen a production of the Simon Stephens’ theatrical adaptation, so I approached this performance with equal measures of int

A Well Done Creative Production Well Done Creative's Holiday Inn  at Parramatta Riverside is a lively, good‑humoured production that thrives on energy and wit. Strictly speaking, it’s not a Christmas show but it is definitely a welcome injection of nostalgic cheer to interrupt your busy December. It’s a story that reflects another time, the “golden age” of movie musicals, which leans into music and humour without taking itself too seriously. For those unfamiliar with the tale

Blackout Theatre Company There’s a particular kind of magic that only community theatre can conjure - the kind that comes from heart, grit, and the collective belief that storytelling matters. Blackout Theatre Company’s production of Carrie captured that magic from its very first crash of thunder and held it right through to the final full stage blackout. The story of Carrie, I must admit, is an interesting choice for a musical. I’m intrigued by the idea that someone read St

Henry Lawson Theatre   21 st  Century theatre is a wonderfully complex and challenging space as both professional and amateur productions embrace technology and pursue the “new”. However, there’s something truly special about watching a tight-knit ensemble cast deliver a fast-paced, witty script on a single set, bringing to life a delightfully entertaining classic British farce. Tech is great, but fearless performers with airtight timing is where you will find the real magic.

Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society If you’re after a night of unapologetic fun, nostalgic rock anthems, and theatrical cheekiness, Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Rock of Ages  hits the mark and then some. It’s a show that revels in all the glory and cliché of 80s Rock with an irrepressible sense of self-deprecating fun and a clear intention to bring the audience along for the wonderfully ridiculous ride.  Set in 1987 on L.A.’s Sunset Strip, the story f

Shake & Stir Theatre Co. at Theatre Royal Sydney As an English teacher and a theatre nerd, the advent of The Lovers  on the Sydney’s theatre scene was a temptation too hard to resist. With an intriguing premise and a stellar cast, I was ready for an entertaining ride … well I thought I was ready! This production was joy and wit and sass and pure brilliance… more than I could ever have anticipated. Laura Murphy’s  adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a bold one. She’s

Beacon Musical Society (formerly EUCMS) There’s something comforting about watching a community theatre production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown . Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of Schulz’s beloved Peanuts gang, or perhaps it’s the reminder that community theatre is about people coming together to create something joyful. Beacon Musical Society’s recent production was a warm, generous, and thoroughly good-hearted example of just that. Directed by Penny Wilson , with Bec Kim

Hornsby Musical Society City of Angels is a musical presenting a dual narrative – one arc focuses on a writer named Stine trying to turn his book into a movie in 1940s Hollywood, while the other is the movie itself, a detective story starring a cool private eye named Stone. In the movie world, Stone is hired to find a missing girl and gets caught up in a mystery full of glamorous women, shady characters, and twists. In the real world, Stine struggles with the movie producer,

A Glittery, Glorious Shake-Up of Shakespeare “& Juliet” by PACA Productions   If you’re not familiar with “ & Juliet” , just imagine the classic tale of “Romeo and Juliet” with a rewrite that focuses on Juliet, calls out the “icks” and satirises how 21 st  century audiences engage with Shakespeare. It is witty and fun, rewiring the oft cited tale with glitter, pop anthems, and a whole lot of attitude. PACA Productions has delivered a show that’s bold, brilliant, and bursting