Reviews

This contemporary telling of Henry VIII’s sixth, surviving wife, Katherine Parr, requires a vertigo-inducing suspension of belief.

Loosely based on historical fact, Kate Hennig’s family of royal characters – with young Edward, Elizabeth and Mary all waiting to rule after the old king – squabble and banter around Parr in an idiom and modern dress more akin to American TV.  

First let me reiterate how bloody lucky we are to have a National Shakespeare company even if they don’t always get it right. It’s also laudable that their mission is to make Shakespeare more accessible and relevant to a contemporary audience - mostly by putting the plays in contemporary clothes and settings. And here’s the rub (as Bill might have said): pretty much all the comedies by William S are based on star-crossed lovers, mistaken identities, people hiding behind bushes to overhear secrets, lies and conspiracy.

Worawa is an institution that offers academic, sports and boarding facilities for indigenous girls in years 7 to 12 – some from the most remote areas of Australia.  For many, English is their second language.

The Australian Ballet premiered their latest co-production with the Houston Ballet, Sylvia. Choreographed by Australian Ballet alumnus Stanton Welch and featuring music by Leo Delibes, Sylvia is possibly the most convoluted narrative ballet ever performed. The story is so complex that there is even a cheat sheet handed to you before you enter the theatre, to enable the audience to understand the multiple threads, locations and love interests.