News of Tempo Theatre’s annual radio play leads arts editor HELEN MUSA’s final Arts in the City column for this year. 

Tempo Theatre’s radio play for this year is Wallaby Bob’s Aussie Christmas. Santa Claus has been kidnapped by evil elves and his daughter Sandy is sent to Australia to find him, with the help of outback hero Bob. Written by Mike Weston and Jo Jones with music by June Colin-Thome, it introduces George Belibassakis as Wallaby Bob and Melita Caulfield as Sandy. Radio 1RPH, 7pm, December 25, then the show will be available in the New Year at tempotheatre.org.au

Australia’s Magna Carta is back on public display at Parliament House after conservation and research. It was purchased in 1952 under the watch of Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The associated exhibition, Conserving the Magna Carta, showcases the scientific research and analysis that has allowed it to return to display on Level 1, Parliament House (adjacent to the cloakroom). 

The Canberra Theatre Centre was named Favourite Entertainment Venue at the recent Canberra Region Tourism Awards in the People’s Choice category.

In more news from Canberra Theatre, a first look at its Schools, Families & Young Audiences season for 2025 has been released, with Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom, The 78-Storey Treehouse, Class Clowns, Act Up and Sea of Light in the line-up.

Opera Australia has announced that pop star and champion swimmer Cody Simpson will make his Australian musical theatre debut alongside an all-star cast in the new production of Guys & Dolls at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, March 21-April 20. 

Billed as the ultimate summer holidays interactive show, DinoFest Canberra – Age of the Tyrannosaur tells the story of how tyrannosaurs grew from small, dog-sized dinosaurs to become the world’s most fearsome predators over the course of 100 million years. Black Mountain Peninsula near Canberra Aqua Park, Garryowen Drive, January 11-February 2.