Tag: new works

English

An explosive new work: GAS brings the heat

REVIEWED BY KIT WILLS EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Sometimes the upsetting truth about growing up alongside someone is that eventually you can grow apart. Thomas Dallimore and Tarquin O’Toole’s play GAS presented as part of La Mama’s Explorations 2026 explores the messiness and heartbreak of young adulthood, with simmering relationships that inevitably boil over.   I’d never been to a play at La Mama before. … Continue reading An explosive new work: GAS brings the heat

thedialogtheatreblog
English

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?

thedialogtheatreblog
English

The Flesh is a dream that makes your teeth feel heavy

REVIEWED BY AZMY EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Content warning: this review discusses abuse, assault, violence, death, cannibalism and manslaughter. It also seriously spoils the show! We need connection with others to survive. The thing is, when you get rid of the structures around you, the only thing that’s left is a bag of meat. You are a bag of meat. And there are just a … Continue reading The Flesh is a dream that makes your teeth feel heavy

thedialogtheatreblog
English

Sitting in at The Last Actor Standing

REVIEWED BY KIERA EDELSTEIN EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Tucked into an alleyway in North Melbourne and situated at the top of a Spirited Away-esque winding staircase, the foyer of Club Voltaire looks like you’ve stumbled into a student share house or the backstage of a Vaudeville show. The room was so small and stuffed with blankets, posters and trinkets that a defined closeness was created … Continue reading Sitting in at The Last Actor Standing

thedialogtheatreblog
English

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

thedialogtheatreblog
English

SPOTLIGHT ON: The MUSE festival and ‘Working Title’

WRITTEN BY AZMY EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER The MUSE festival is an annual tradition from the Victorian College of Arts that, this year, will run from 10 am–10 pm from July 7–9. It is completely open to the public: every theatre enthusiast should get themselves a free ticket and explore all the incredible shows on offer! There is something absolutely magical about what these students … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT ON: The MUSE festival and ‘Working Title’

thedialogtheatreblog
English

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

thedialogtheatreblog
English

Get your game face on: The Wolves are ready to chew out your expectations

REVIEWED BY KIERA EDELSTEIN EDITED BY RACHEL THORNBY There is something appealing about the aesthetic of cleats, pumping athletic music and female-led stories at the moment and, with its epic display of ball skills, blood red uniforms and a team of girls with enough grit to win their soccer tournament, Theatre Works’s The Wolves is no exception.   For examples think of: Melbourne Theatre Company’s ‘Shoelace Chaser’; ‘Good For a Girl’ written by Becky Deeks, which … Continue reading Get your game face on: The Wolves are ready to chew out your expectations

thedialogtheatreblog
English

Sainting Joan: The Baddie in a Bowl Cut, Historically Informative and Entertaining

REVIEWED BY AUDREY MUELLER EDITED BY MIRANDA WILSON Some of the most interesting and captivating original productions are performed in theatres found down dark alleys. Sainting Joan is one of them. After running around the back streets of St Kilda, I finally found Explosive Factory’s theatre. And I’m glad I did, because this original rock musical was exciting at every turn. The narrative opens in … Continue reading Sainting Joan: The Baddie in a Bowl Cut, Historically Informative and Entertaining

thedialogtheatreblog
English

Four Letter Word’s dead good murder mystery: The Butler Did It

REVIEWED BY AUDREY MUELLER EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Crack a case without a detective!? Infectiously hilarious, surprisingly saucy tap-dancing murder mystery: Four Letter Word’s The Butler Did It is, to quote the girls sitting behind me in the audience, ‘this is really good!’ Four Letter Word nailed this original murder mystery play, engaging and comedic at every turn. The play’s opening establishes its characters through … Continue reading Four Letter Word’s dead good murder mystery: The Butler Did It

thedialogtheatreblog