Category archives: Reviews

The new “Masters of the Universe” film delivers a vibrant, if uneven, cinematic experience, largely buoyed by its embrace of camp, impressive CGI, and a surprisingly overt queer sensibility. Camila Mendes, known for her role as Veronica Lodge in “Riverdale,” shines as Teela, bringing a much-needed grounded performance amidst the…

Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and SullivanPresented by Hayes Theatre Co. at Foundry TheatreAdapted and Directed by Richard CarrollReview by Damien Barrett @_helloshoppers There is always a slight sense of trepidation when walking into a new production of The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert and Sullivan can be razor-sharp satire wrapped…

If you’re after a fresh hit of sketch comedy, Urzila on ABC iview is an absolute standout. Bold, chaotic, and genuinely laugh-out-loud in a way that feels both nostalgic and completely new. Fronted by the razor-sharp Urzila Carlson, the show cleverly blends live stand-up with over-the-top sketches, creating a fast-paced,…

There’s something undeniably intoxicating about the musical Anastasia  which opened at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Friday night — a sweeping, old-school musical that leans hard into romance, spectacle and nostalgia. It’s the kind of show that knows exactly how to seduce an audience: soaring melodies, lavish design, and just enough fairy-tale…

Directed by Alice Livingstone for New Theatre New Theatre continues its strong 2026 season with Stage Kiss, a sharp, self-aware comedy by Sarah Ruhl that leans into the messy, complicated and often absurd nature of love, performance and everything in between. Stage Kiss premiered in 2011 at the Goodman Theatre,…

Written and directed by S. Asher Gelman for Midnight TheatricalsEternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Following a successful Australian premiere season in Melbourne, Afterglow has arrived in Sydney, opening at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst soon after a hectic Sydney Mardi Gras weekend. Many in Tuesday night’s audience appeared to have just come…

Songs by The Go-Go’s / Book adapted by James Magruder based upon The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney at Hayes Theatre Head Over Heels at Hayes Theatre Co is the kind of joyous, glitter-soaked theatrical experience that reminds you why small theatres can produce some of the most electric nights…

Directed by Patrick Kennedy for New Theatre Playwright Topher Payne believes that the best way to engage with an audience is through comedy. “If you can make someone laugh, they listen. And they lean in, and they want to hear more. And once you have that level of engagement, then…

Eurovision Connects 2 is a timely reminder of what Eurovision can do when it transcends politics and focuses on glitter and competition: unite people through music for a greater cause. Bringing together fan-favourite Eurovision artists and contributors from across the contest’s long and varied history, the album channels the joy, camp,…

Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim The Foundry Theatre  33 years after its world premiere, the Stephen Sondheim review – Putting It Together made its Aussie premiere at Sydney’s Foundry Theatre. What the enthusiastic opening night audience saw on Thursday was a masterclass in interpreting the songbook of the undisputed…