‘Cancel’ threat for seductive, immoral characters
“Sexy-disturbing” is how director Lainie Hart describes Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel, coming up at Canberra Rep Theatre.
Theatre
"There’s a touch of Waiting for Godot too, as events go round in repetitious loops and imagery is repeated. Audience participation hovers as a perpetual threat." ALANNA MACLEAN reviews Thom Pain (based on nothing).
"With a tight run time and a strong cast, No Exit deftly balances existential dread with glittering moments of dark humour," writes GRACE CASSIDY in her first review for CityNews.
"If you were made to study it in school or if you simply enjoy the play, this production won’t disappoint. There are elements as good as you will get anywhere." JOE WOODWARD reviews Bell Shakespeare's production of Julius Caesar.
Theatre
The intricate grace and grit of an emotional play
There’s a distinct feeling of homecoming surrounding the production of Nick Payne’s 2012 play Constellations, to be staged by Kelly Somes in mid-April, reports HELEN MUSA.
Theatre
When people begin transforming into rhinoceroses
There is no more significant work of theatre for 2026 than Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, director Joe Woodward tells arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Theatre
Oedipus the King packs a powerful punch
"Oedipus the King teeters between the realistic and the formal, or ritualistic, and it is here that Michael Smith as director may have gone a step too far," writes reviewer HELEN MUSA.
Former Narrabundah College student Leon Ford is playing Cassius in Bell Shakespeare's latest production of Julius Caesar, reports HELEN MUSA.
HELEN MUSA reviews Autumn Days, ArtSound Radio Theatre, an afternoon of monologues and short play readings, mostly by Canberra writers.
"I’m really not sure what the point of Swan? was and I was relieved when the show finished. Other members of the audience clearly had a great night out," writes dance reviewer MICHELLE POTTER.
Most people have heard of Freud’s idea that sons may see their fathers as rivals for their mother’s affection – the Oedipus complex. Now Canberra audiences will have a rare chance to see the ancient play from which that idea takes its name.
"Apart from being hugely entertaining, Irony Done Here is also a revealing expose of the dedication, hard work, ingenuity and talent required to maintain a successful career in entertainment." BILL STEPHENS reviews Shortis & Simpson.
"The Dear Departed's got a housebound humour that is very well caught in this radio drama style presentation under Lexi Sekuless’ deft direction," writes reviewer ALANNA MACLEAN.
"So beautiful, it felt like something you want to see a second or third time, just to be sure you didn’t miss anything." Critic ARNE SJOSTEDT's been to see Almost, Maine.
"Both performers exceeded their audience’s expectations, providing a highly entertaining evening of personal revelations and good music." Reviewer LEN POWER reports from the Canberra Cabaret Festival.
SIMONE PENKETHMAN reviews Canberra Rep's latest production of Alan Ayckbourn's 1975 play Bedroom Farce.
"From the first moments, it was obvious that this was going to be a first-rate evening of theatre." ARNE SJOSTEDT reviews the Lakespeare production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
"The six actors give fine ensemble performances, bringing their individual characters to life. The overlapping dialogue is skilfully presented, giving each character a convincing naturalness." LEN POWER reviews Never Closer.
"Unfortunately, the rhythm of the piece was broken with long and unnecessary blackouts that jarred the flow of the story." JOE WOODWARD reviews La Souris Blanche (The White Mouse).
