Tag: musical theatre

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Gimme Gimme Gimme University College’s Mamma Mia

REVIEWED BY ALEX LAWRY EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Bringing the sunny Greek islands to Melbourne’s winter, University College’s production of Mamma Mia was a refreshing change from the cold. The 1999 stage musical created by Catherine Johnson is built around music from the classic Swedish pop group, ABBA. Sophie (Catie Froelicher) was raised by her free-spirited mother, Donna (Luella Wyer) in an island taverna. On … Continue reading Gimme Gimme Gimme University College’s Mamma Mia

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Trying on the EDGES: Maybe, Almost, Could Be

REVIEWED BY ZENA WANG EDITED BY AZMY Directed by Eckard Becker, EDGES forms part of VCA’s 2026 Master of Theatre (Directing) Graduate Season. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the contemporary song cycle brings together stories of growing up, romance, identity and human connection. Across the evening, five performers move rapidly between different characters and relationships, returning to the same question: standing at the … Continue reading Trying on the EDGES: Maybe, Almost, Could Be

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Anything Goes at Ormond College

REVIEWED BY ALEX LAWRY EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Ormond College’s production of Anything Goes took to the Union Theatre from the 20th to the 22nd of August 2026. The 1934 musical comedy created by Cole Porter follows the passengers of an ocean liner as love triangles, public enemies and chaos reign supreme. The powerful vocals of Zoe Cowlishaw as Reno Sweeny, Nick Sharr as Billy … Continue reading Anything Goes at Ormond College

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A Chorus Line: St. Hilda’s College Asks What it Means to Become “One”

REVIEWED BY IVY KAYE EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Walking up the stairs of Parkville’s Arts and Cultural Building, I was transported into a kind of theatre within a theatre. Having taken my seat, and waited for the lights to dim, I was met with A Chorus Line’s familiar opening of ‘Again!’ coming from just a few rows ahead of me. The show, following a group … Continue reading A Chorus Line: St. Hilda’s College Asks What it Means to Become “One”

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Consider Yourself in Good Hands: Newman Theatre Association’s Raucous and Entertaining Oliver!

REVIEWED BY ANNA RYLEY EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER In student theatre, it’s a good mark when you feel totally unconcerned with the possibly of awkward scenes or halted dialogue as an audience member. This was certainly the case with Newman Theatre Association’s stellar production of Oliver!, with the student theatre group going from strength to strength in their growing capabilities to stage spectacular mainstage musicals, … Continue reading Consider Yourself in Good Hands: Newman Theatre Association’s Raucous and Entertaining Oliver!

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MUST’s The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals: Forget Kool-Aid, come and drink the weird blue shit!

REVIEWED BY ELLA CALLOW-SUSSEX EDITIED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER StarKid fans are a cult – and one I heavily ascribe to. Few other shows live in perfect perpetuity on the internet, but The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is one high on my list. It is a triumph of accessible art. But what a joy to see one live. The challenge of putting on a beloved … Continue reading MUST’s The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals: Forget Kool-Aid, come and drink the weird blue shit!

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Who needs a shrink when you can go see Mr Big AKA Tatay, A Transwoman And That Tiring Tune?

REVIEWED BY ELIJAH VALERY SLAVINSKIS EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER “Thank you for coming to my very public, very expensive therapy session” writes playwright Dax Carnay-Hanrahan in the program for Mr Big AKA Tatay, A Transwoman And That Tiring Tune (June 24th – July 5th @fortyfivedownstairs). Diana (Carney-Hanrahan), a trans immigrant, is preparing for her wedding, when she finds out her dad has died. Diana starts … Continue reading Who needs a shrink when you can go see Mr Big AKA Tatay, A Transwoman And That Tiring Tune?

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Cheerleading, blackmail and doing your own thing: Theatrical’s Bring It On

REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER EDITED BY AZMY Bring It On: The Musical has taken over the National Theatre. Inspired by the iconic 2000 film of the same name, Bring It On follows Campbell Davis as she pursues her dream of becoming captain of Truman High School’s cheer squad and winning the national cheer championship. However, right before her senior year is about to start, she … Continue reading Cheerleading, blackmail and doing your own thing: Theatrical’s Bring It On

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UMMTA’s ’26 Sitzprobe is Stripped Back, but still Ambitious and Compelling

REVIEWED BY GRACE DWYER EDITED BY AZMY Relative to last year’s mainstage four-show stacked cast extravaganza, UMMTA have taken this year’s Sitzprobe – a showcase of multiple student-written musicals – in a more intimate direction under presidents Nishka Varghese and Josh Drake. This is not to say that the 2026 Sitzprobe is in any way theatrically subdued, or the material any less gripping. Instead of the … Continue reading UMMTA’s ’26 Sitzprobe is Stripped Back, but still Ambitious and Compelling

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Four Letter Word’s Bingo

INTERVIEW BY AUDREY MUELLER EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Audrey Mueller, a sub editor and writer for the dialog, recently sat down with Stella Bea Byrne, Hannah Crompton, Ava Ruljancich and Zoe Barnett to discuss the production of Four Letter Word’s original musical Bingo. Bingo is an original musical production by emerging writer Stella Bea Byrne, centring around balancing religious and family values while navigating adolescence. … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT ON: Four Letter Word’s Bingo

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