Culture
Theatre
Magicians have something up their sleeves for virus lockdown
It turns out that you can perform a magic show on Zoom - and spellbind an audience from lockdown, says magician Tim Ellis.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Latest
Arts
Coronavirus reset 'a chance to make arts more diverse'
As demonstrators on the streets call for a revolution in race relations, arts community members want a revolution in theatres and galleries.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar
Review
Cupid's arrow misses by a mile in this nauseating show
When a UK company turned love song dedications into an online theatrical experience, this critic found himself retching.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Review
Lost in Animal Crossing - the addictive lure of lockdown escapism
In Malthouse Theatre's second collection of Lockdown Monologues, playwright Jean Tong dips into the world of a young computer gamer.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Exclusive
Racism
Alumni accuse NIDA of 'systemic and institutionalised racism'
Testimonials described a culture where students of colour were sidelined, speaking out about race and discrimination was discouraged and staff and directors were mostly white.
- by Hannah Ryan
Arts
Gillies embraces Joyce of life on a marvellous Melbourne Bloomsday
The traditional annual readings from the James Joyce classic Ulysses were compered this year by veteran satirist and character actor Max Gillies.
- by Peter Craven
Flashback
From the Archives, 1979: Living the life of Henry Lawson
On the birthday of Henry Lawson, we revisit an interview with Leonard Teale, an actor deeply involved with the beloved poet and committed to his works.
- by Susan Molloy
Review
Tale goes missing in wintry cut-and-paste
Taking the scissors to The Winter's Tale leaves too many draughts blowing through the story.
- by John Shand
Arts
Back in the rehearsal studio, disinfected hands open scripts at last
The Melbourne Theatre Company, unable to stage shows for live performance, is recording a series of audio productions.
- by Nick Miller
Arts
The return of live Australian theatre suffers from a stuttering start
Technical bloopers marred Malthouse Theatre's first go at live lockdown performance - but there was great acting and writing talent on show.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Performing arts
'Let us open our theatres,' companies ask government
Theatre companies welcome the prospect of a targeted live performance rescue package, but say they can't reopen under current social distancing rules.
- by Nick Miller and Nick Galvin