Culture
Theatre
Tim Minchin’s near-perfect show is more raucous than you might expect
It wouldn’t be summer in Sydney without the Sydney Festival, featuring a diversity of cultural events throughout January. Here our critics review some festival highlights.
- by George Palathingal, Cassie Tongue, Jill Sykes, Harriet Cunningham, Shamim Razavi, John Shand and Daniel Herbone
Latest
The children’s show where making a mess is part of the fun
The young and young at heart are invited to run amok in Sydney Festival’s interactive family show at Carriageworks.
- by Lenny Ann Low
Perhaps I act because I’m scared of life. This epic story helped me embrace it
None of us know what it’s like to crawl off an alpine mountain with a shattered knee, but we sure know what it’s like to endure.
- by Karl Richmond
After COVID-19 chaos, Alanis Morissette musical to open in Melbourne
The Canadian singer/songwriter’s music is ahead of its time and some low-fi tech hacks have helped bring the musical based on her material to life.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Programs in tatters and audiences halved as Omicron hits Sydney shows
Crew and cast members have been sidelined and wary patrons are staying home, with one festival organiser saying “it feels like the beginning of the pandemic all over again”.
- by Linda Morris
Benjamin Law quits Sydney Festival board following Israeli funding controversy
The author and journalist had faced criticism on social media in recent weeks for not acknowledging the artists’ boycott.
- by Robert Moran and Linda Morris
Opinion
Arts
I might catch COVID-19, but until then I’ll keep going to shows
It’s not true that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, but it is possible to dial it down and go to a theatre or three.
- by Nick Miller
‘We have to do better’: Sydney Festival chairman apologises but says boycott funding won’t be returned
Chairman David Kirk confirmed it was festival management who approached the Israeli embassy to support Sydney Dance Company’s performance of Decadance.
- by Linda Morris
★★
Arts
Shambolic mash-up of Shakespeare and Aliens nukes the humour
A mad fangirl of a stage adaptation, Shakespeare Aliens will appease anyone who loves the true grit of Ellen Ripley.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Keep breathing and make every scream count: actors tackle a deadly climb
The MTC’s ambitious stage adaptation of Touching the Void has brought cast and director close to the precipice.
- by John Bailey
Is Into the Woods the show for our times?
The Stephen Sondheim classic suggests a remedy for characters caught in a tangle of self-interest.
- by Sonia Harford