Reviews

Purpose

By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Sydney Theatre Company. Wharf 1 Theatre. Feb 2 – Mar 22, 2026

Chicago’s Steppenwolf theatre is well-known for its dinner party plays, as in this premiere production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' masterpiece Purpose and the much-acclaimed August: Osage County.  And another American theatrical trope is familiar in Purpose:  it revolves around a family reunion, in this case an upper middle class, African American family in Chicago, famed for their historic roles as celebrity preachers and leaders in the civil rights movement. 

Mamma Mia!

Music & Lyrics: Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson. Book: Catherine Johnson. Director: Pip Mushin. Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar. Musical Director: Kent Ross. Choreographer & Assistant Director: Adriana Pannuzzo. An AGTHEATRE production. The National Theatre, Melbourne. February 11 – March 8, 2026.

Just when I thought I’d had my fill of Mamma Mia! — the indefatigable 1999 jukebox juggernaut powered by ABBA’s glittering catalogue — along comes AGTHEATRE who is mounting a full 24-show run (a triumph for any theatre company) proving that this island getaway still has plenty of sunshine left to give.

Roomful of Teeth

Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre. Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, 11 February 2026.

Cutting edge, grammy award winning, unconventional, adventurous, and distinctive are among the many ways this unusual vocal band has been described. Their experimentation with vocal range, tone, and quality is nothing less than extraordinary. As a group they are renowned for their dedication to experimentation and this concert provides an extraordinary example of their work.

I, AmDram

By Hannah Maxwell. FringeWorld. The Cellar, The Liberty Theatre, Perth. Feb 11-15, 2026

Hannah Maxwell is a fourth-generation member the Welwyn Thalians Musical and Dramatic Society, and this hour-long one-woman show is a love letter to British amateur dramatics, a musical obsessed family and her hometown. Fresh, clever and funny, this hilarious yet moving show is a little Fringe treasure.

Cluedo

By Sandy Rustin, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. John Frost for Crossroads Live. Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. 11 - 28 February 2026

It’s a dark and stormy night.  Thunder rumbles.  Lightning flashes.  The curtains billow at palatial Boddy Mansion.  The French maid Yvette (Lib Campbell) ties the curtains back – with a flirtatious shimmy to the audience.  The Cook (Octavia Barron-Martin) strides back and forth, preparing for the arrival of the six mystery guests invited by the mysterious Mr Boddy.  Butler Wadsworth (Grant Piro) greets each as they arrive.  And Grant Piro, who can do anything, is having more fun than legally allowed.

Wow! Amazing Family Magic Show

By Christian Lavey. Fringe World. The Craft Beer and Cider Garden. Jan 31 - Feb 15, 2026

Wow! Amazing Family Magic Show is what it says in the title, a very family friendly magic show that had particular appeal for kids.

Luxembourg based Christian is a very talented magician who works the crowd well and owns the unusual space of The Craft Beer and Cider Garden - imagine performing on a long, narrow driveway. 

Midnight

By John Foreman and Anthony Costanzo (music), Dean Murphy and Pip Mushin (book) with additional music by Kate Miller Heidke. Old Nick Hobart Theatre Summer School. The Playhouse, Hobart. 23-31 January 2026

Midnight is a reworking of the classic Cinderella tale narrated by a child who freely edits and adds according to her own taste. Young Stella reacts, comments, and participates, making the story her own. The Ella of this retelling has modern sensibilities. She sees injustice and calls it out. Her goal is not to marry a prince but to be an agent of change in the world.

Little Ladybug

By Jarrad Whitehurst. Directed by Jarrad Whitehurst. Campfire! Theatre Company. Theatre 1, Hayman Theatre. Jan 29-Feb 7, 2026

A group of young friends gather to commemorate the anniversary of one of their number's passing. Unknown to them, their lost companion is present, in more ways than one.

Campfire’s cast feels like a real group of friends, with great camaraderie, believable friction and genuine warmth. There is ring of truth detail in the interactions which is matched by the perfectly imperfect set by production designers Harper Freeman and Riley Sheehy, with its expertly eclectic seating arrangements.

Tarzan

Adapted from the story Tarzan Of The Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Based on the Disney Film. Music and Lyrics by Phil Collins. Book by David Henry Hwang. Spotlight Theatrical Company, Benowa, Gold Coast. February 6 to 28, 2026

Spotlight have commenced their 2026 season with Tarzan (based on the Disney Film).

On arrival, the audience are greeted by Apes throughout the theatre (who remove the audience’s “nits” free of charge!)

This production is full of energy and dance. The music was not familiar (but, then again, I haven’t seen the Disney movie since last century!)

Perfect Arrangement

By Topher Payne. Director Patrick Kennedy. New Theatre Newtown. 4 Feb – 7 Mar, 2026

American playwright Topher Payne’s Perfect Arrangement is based on the Lavender Scare, the purge of gay employees from government institutions in America during the 1950s. Occurring in conjunction with McCarthy’s anti-communist rampage, it led to thousands of federal employees losing their jobs.

Not a funny theme, but Payne believes “If you can make someone laugh, they listen. And they learn”. And Perfect Arrangement does just that. It is a treatise wrapped initially in the warmth of a comedy.

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