A solo interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an evening of poetry readings, and a ‘Meet the Author’, besides myriad theatre and concert performances, make up the latest Artsweek column by arts editor HELEN MUSA

Suzy Eddie Izzard brings her smash hit solo interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Canberra in The Tragedy of Hamlet. The Playhouse, July 31, August 1.

Geoff Page’s monthly poetry series welcomes Sydney poet Judith Beveridge alongside Canberra writer Theodore Ell for an evening of readings. Smith’s Alternative, August 3.

Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will discuss his memoir Riding the Jet Stream with Phil Coorey as part of the ANU Meet the Author series. July 30. Then Hannah Richell with in conversation with Emma Grey on the  new book An Ocean and A Day, August 4. Both at Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre.

Applications are now open for Ausdance’s revived Peggy van Praagh and Keith Bain Fellowships, offering two $10,000 awards to emerging and mid-career choreographers across all dance genres. Applications close in July.

Galleries

• The ANU School of Art & Design Gallery hosts a free In Conversation exploring the Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Grand Challenge, Murrudha: Sovereign Walks, Cultural Actions in Progress. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, July 30.
• Craft + Design Canberra presents Fragile Structures: The Architecture of Decay, a collaborative exhibition by glass artist Madeline Cardone and ceramic artist Fran Romano. Craft + Design Canberra, July 30 to September 12.
• M16 Artspace opens four new exhibitions, featuring Unruly by Catherine Anselmi, David Helmers, Ro Murray and Mandy Burgess, Susan Chancellor’s Glad Tidings, Position/Trajectory by Matthew Freeman, Anne Pyne Irving and Tristan Ouweleen, and Karen Bondietti’s Tribute to John Lennon in CHUTESPACE. M16 Artspace, July 30 to August 23.
• Canberra Potters’ annual Student | Teacher Showcase celebrates the creativity of children, teenagers and adults who have taken classes during 2026, exhibiting alongside works by their teachers, with ceramic artist Sue Cant serving as guest judge. Canberra Potters, July 31 to August 9.
• Canberra’s newest exhibition venue, The Gallery Next Door, opens in Duffy shops, under the direction of artist Jennifer Baird. The Gallery Next Door, Duffy Shops, from August 1.
• Elisa Crossing’s solo exhibition Move me! explores the idea of “slow looking”, inviting viewers to engage physically and emotionally with painting through an instinctive and embodied response to the act of seeing. Civic Art Bureau, August 1 to August 31.
• Petra Jungmanova launches the new PT Gallery, a creative pop up space in Dickson with an opening exhibition, generous grazing table and line dancing, establishing a lively new hub for classes, storytelling and exhibitions. PT Gallery, Dickson, August 5.
• Young at Heart brings together Canberra artists Eryn Marshall and Cheryl Marshall in a mother and daughter exhibition celebrating resilience and beauty, while supporting the Butterfly Foundation through artwork sales. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, August 5 to 9. VIP opening August 5.

Concerts

• The Australian Haydn Ensemble presents Divine Bohemians, celebrating the influence of 18th century Bohemian composers with string quartets by Haydn, Wranitzky, Mysliveček and Beethoven. Gandel Hall, July 30.
• The Canberra Symphony Orchestra revives its popular Art of the Score series with an exploration of Hans Zimmer’s film music, featuring scores from Gladiator, The Lion King, Inception and The Dark Knight. Llewellyn Hall, ANU, July 31 to August 1.
• Renaissance ensemble I Progetti celebrates midwinter with Winterfest, a charity concert blending Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian music with a few musical surprises. St John’s Church, Reid, August 1.
• Recorder specialists Robyn Mellor and Rodney Waterman present Woodsong, tracing more than five centuries of recorder music on an extraordinary collection of handcrafted instruments, from Baroque dances to contemporary Australian works and jazz inspired pieces. Wesley Music Centre, August 1.
• Artsong Canberra has soprano Sonia Anfiloff and pianist Alan Hicks performing a late Romantic recital inspired by Korngold’s song cycle. Wesley Music Centre, August 2.
• The Sitkovetsky Trio makes its Canberra debut with a program that has earned the ensemble a reputation on the world’s leading concert stages. Snow Concert Hall, August 2.
• Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Kingsland Fellows, Jessica Hall, Amanda Tao and Jacob Aziz, joined by pianist Hilda Visser-Scott, perform music by Farrenc, Chaminade, Saint-Saëns and Guilmant in a lunchtime recital. Wesley Music Centre, August 5.

Stage

• One of Australia’s most fearless comedians, Anthony Locascio, arrives with The Divine Comedy. Canberra Theatre, August 1.
• Wil Anderson returns with Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Wil?, an entirely improvised stand up performance created from audience interaction. The Street Theatre, August 5 to 9.
• Paula Hawkins’ bestselling thriller The Girl on the Train, adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, brings suspense and psychological twists to the theatre. Belconnen Arts Centre, August 5 to 22.
• The Mill Theatre presents Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, beginning with preview performances before a full season of this rarely staged late romance. The Mill Theatre, Dairy Road, August 5 to 15.

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