Reviews

The Doll Trilogy: Kid Stakes, Other Times, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

By Ray Lawler. Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Melbourne. 10 February – 11 April 2026

Cane cutter mates Roo (Ben Prendergast) and Barney (John Leary) come down from Queensland in the off season – or ‘layoff’.  By chance, they run into a couple of girls – Olive (Ngaire Dawn Fair) and Nancy (Emily Goddard) – at the aquarium and end up as boarders and more at the Carlton boarding house run by Olive’s mother Emma (Caroline Lee).

Both Sides: Phil Collins and Genesis celebrated

Presented by Night Owl Shows. Adelaide Fringe. Gluttony - Rymill Park - The May Wirth. 13-15 March, 2026

Night Owl Shows is a UK company presenting a suite of shows depicting the lives of some of the most influential singer songwriters of the 20th Century. Described as immersive productions, note, not tribute shows; this Fringe, they are presenting Phil Collins and Genesis, Fleetwood Mac, Amy Winehouse and Queen shows. 

Torch The Place

By Benjamin Law. Queensland Theatre Company, Brisbane. 10 to 29 March 2026

Torch The Place is an energetic production of many ‘firsts’ – first-time playwright, first-time main-stage director, performers making their Queensland Theatre stage debuts – which adds a freshness that audiences will feel from the outset.

Peace in Our Time

By Noël Coward. Presented by Stirling Players. Stirling Community Theatre, SA. 13-28 March 2026

The Shy Gazelle is a bustling pub just off Sloane Square in central London – old-time tavern, so the décor is varnished wood and nicotine-stained wallpaper. The beer is hand-pulled by Fred, a cardigan-wearing landlord, his daughter Doris chats to gentlemen through the serving hatch, and his wife cleans glasses and makes conversation with those sitting at the bar.

Bogan Shakespeare Presents: Macbeth

Produced by BS Productions. Adelaide Fringe. Tandanya Theatre at Gluttony. March 10th-15th, 2026

I often lament that Shakespeare is no longer prescribed curriculum learning and accept the palatability of it for modern audiences, but BS (actually could have a double meaning) have nailed a totally irreverent re-telling of the bard’s 1606 classic, Macbeth.

Into the Woods Jnr

Book: James Lapine. Music and lyrics: Stephen Sondheim. Miranda Musical Theatre Company. Sutherland Arts Theatre. March 13 – 22, 2026

Some say never work with children – though those voices clearly haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the incredible emerging talent Miranda Musical Theatre Company has to showcase. Into the Woods Jr., with book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which marks Miranda Musical Theatre’s first full foray into a junior musical. The production has been thoughtfully crafted as an opportunity not only for its young performers, but also for members of the creative team who have enthusiastically stepped forward to lead the production.

Long Way to the Top - Dave Gleeson

The Fantail – Gluttony. Adelaide Fringe 2026. March 7th - 22nd, 2026

Australian rock was in safe hands on this balmy Friday evening, as Dave Gleeson brought his high-energy show Long Way to the Top to the incredible outdoor stage The Fantail at Gluttony. He and his 5 piece band and 2 backing vocalists were there to celebrate Australian music and take the audience along for the ride. Best known as the powerhouse voice behind the Screaming Jets and later in his career The Angels, Gleeson oozed charisma and soon had the crowd on side.

Femoid

By Iris Warren. Vixen Theatre. Theatre Works Explosives Factory. March 11 – 26, 2026

Femoid is a derogatory slang word used by online Incel groups to dehumanise women. It is also the title of the new play by writer/performer Iris Warren, who has reappropriated the meaning in protest against the current rise of misogyny and violence against women. This show is presented by the Vixen Theatre company.

& Juliet

Music and lyrics by Max Martin and friends, book by David West Read. The Empire Theatres, Toowoomba. March 13 - 22 2026

& Juliet is a glitter-soaked reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, daring to ask the question: What if Juliet simply… didn’t die? In this pro-am production celebrating youthful talent from Toowoomba and Brisbane, the answer comes wrapped in a swirl of pop nostalgia, girl power and sartorial sparkle.

Mature Skin

Writer: Gabrielle Fallen. Director: Justin Nott. Set and Costume Design: Harry Gill. Lighting Design: Emma Lockhart-Wilson. Sound Design and Composition: James Paul. Darebin Arts Speakeasy, Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre. 11-22 March 2026

Who would have expected a play about shame and the sometimes tortured relationships we have with our bodies to be funny?  It so was! The audience laughed out loud during much of the play.

It features an affair between an older sexually ambiguous male, and a generationally younger transgender woman. The relationship between the two begins quickly and rapidly escalates leading to an explosion of mutual exploration. Their continued relationship is fuelled by physical desire and cutting verbal play and set alight by unresolved emotional pain.