Cake, Crinoline and Colonial Sins at Picnic

Barkly Theatre gets off to a sinister, spell-binding start with their debut production. Picnic at Hanging Rock would be a bold choice for any debut. Published coinciding with the 1967 First Nations referendum, Joan Lindsay’s carefully manicured novel sculpts a world in turmoil. Four schoolgirls, perfect Anglo-Australian citizens, disappear from a Valentines’ trip to Hanging Rock; two are never found. Lindsay’s curlicued prose chronicles the … Continue reading Cake, Crinoline and Colonial Sins at Picnic

Out of this World with ‘Crystalline Consciousness’

EMMA PARFITT DISCUSSES THE DEAD END COLLECTIVE’S DIVE INTO OUTER SPACE Dead End Collective advertised their new production, The Crystalline Consciousness That Speaks Meaning Into Flesh, as ‘a romp’, and a romp it most certainly was. With a talented ensemble cast and captivating production design, this show is a promise of more excellent things to come from Dead End Collective. In their brand-new original work, … Continue reading Out of this World with ‘Crystalline Consciousness’

The Effect: Pulls You In—Hook, Line, & Sinker

Reviewed by: Zimo Lee The Effect by Lucy Prebble is a story about two volunteers in an antidepressant clinical trial. There, the characters Tristan (Freddie Carew-Reid) and Connie (Hazel Pigrum) form an unexpected attraction to one-another that blossoms into a heart-wrenching romance; are their feelings their own, or simply an Effect of the drugs? Short Straw Theatre Company boasts a performance that keeps the audience on their … Continue reading The Effect: Pulls You In—Hook, Line, & Sinker

Corpus Machina Collective’s “ICARUS”: An Exceptional Debut

Reviewed by: Emma Parfitt ICARUS, an original work by Tulipa Rodriguez-Quin, takes the timeless myth of the same name to new heights. The legend of Icarus is a textbook one of hubris – with Icarus’s wings formed of feathers and beeswax melting when he becomes too arrogant and flies too close to the sun, having lethal consequences. Corpus Machina Collective’s ICARUS follows this story almost … Continue reading Corpus Machina Collective’s “ICARUS”: An Exceptional Debut

Element Theatre Company’s “Supreme Me”: An Unequivocal Success

Reviewed by: Pandaren PENG “Supreme Me” adapted from Dario Fo’s globally acclaimed play “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” tells the story of a man suffering from “Supreme Me” syndrome. Through his encounters at a police station, he uncovers the dark tactics behind a farmer’s “accidental death” and takes on the role of a senior inspector from the Supreme Procuratorate to review the case. His successful … Continue reading Element Theatre Company’s “Supreme Me”: An Unequivocal Success

Swinging Into the Jazz Age With Trinity College’s ‘The Great Gatsby’

Reviewed by: Dempsey Doyle Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald narrative classic The Great Gatsby is not only an ambitious, aesthetically stunning filmic experience, but an ode to the lavish yet licentious times of the Roaring Twenties. Considered to be both a cinematic and literary masterpiece by many, Trinity College rose to the trials that come with portraying the tale’s melancholic merriment. … Continue reading Swinging Into the Jazz Age With Trinity College’s ‘The Great Gatsby’

A Look Back on Some Mudfest Magic of the Year!

An ambitious showcase of 70 works of student art across 4 venues over 4 days, Mudfest: Transform exemplified the sheer talent the students at the University of Melbourne have to offer. We are taking a look back at some of the original theatre presented by students this semester – A Fleeting Glimpse, and Multiplies You By One. Four Letter Word Presents: A Fleeting Glimpse – … Continue reading A Look Back on Some Mudfest Magic of the Year!

Dialog Spotlight: Short Straw Theatre Company – “The Effect”

Interview by: Oscar Lidgerwood Two weeks away from opening their debut production of “The Effect”, Short Straw committee members, Charlotte Rogers, Hazel Pigrum, and Freddie Carew-Reid meet with the Dialog to discuss the importance of student theatre, and open up about their experience starting their own company. Charlotte: We all met through Lord of the Flies with Four Letter Word last semester and decided to … Continue reading Dialog Spotlight: Short Straw Theatre Company – “The Effect”

High Praise for Newman Theatre: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

Reviewed by: Ellie Dean In 2023, we have been blessed when it comes to fairy tale theatre. The premiere season of a new Australian take on the Cinderella story, Midnight, was lighting up the stage of the Comedy Theatre until just a few weeks ago, and is expected by many to announce a tour (or something even bigger) very soon. Even globally, crossing borders to … Continue reading High Praise for Newman Theatre: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon