Yesterday
Nuns go disco in Sister Act musical
The musical version of the 1992 hit movie has its heavenly moments.
- Michael Bailey
- Opinion
- Paris 2024
Like a French film, it was genius and difficult, but a fitting end
The closing ceremony was slow, and some people walked out, but the fans stayed until the end and only the Hollywood part was a bit off.
- Matthew Drummond
This Month
- Opinion
- Visual art
Too many children are being encouraged to follow their dreams
If history has taught us anything, it’s that there are no risks to a young artist giving up on their dreams.
- Ed Cumming
- Opinion
- Opinion
Oz rock legends unite - but expect to be surprised
Australian songwriters Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey have joined forces and released a collection of bombastic, synth-laden sideways pop tunes. The arrangements are scintillating and the interwoven vocals charm.
- Alexander Gow
How to do Gold Coast’s Bleach festival
If you still think the Goldie is all about surf and schoolies, the exciting, eclectic and inclusive Bleach* Festival will prove you wrong.
- Michael Bailey
Drought of boys in ballet creates problems for budding ballerinas
They are one half of a pas de deux, yet males are deserting ballet schools in alarming numbers. Queensland Ballet has gone all-out to reverse the trend.
- Michael Bailey
July
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘other’ musical gets a timely revival
Hamilton is a hard act to precede, but hints of its composer’s genius are all over In The Heights, which is being revived at Sydney Opera House.
- Michael Bailey
Diary alert: shows to catch in August
From didgeridoo at dawn to Renaissance treasures and a milestone collaboration, next month is packed with inspiring arts events.
- Michael Bailey
The kids of this famous choir prove busy people will make time
Forget social media. The pre-teen choristers of The Choir Of King’s College, Cambridge, are just as happy to read and sing the sheet music of Stravinsky and Tallis.
- Michael Bailey
Lessons in ambition from Lady Macbeth
The actress Bojana Novokovic admits to admiring the chutzpah of Shakespeare’s most scheming wife ahead of playing her in a new theatrical production.
- Peter Craven
‘Like Vivid without the crowds’: seeing Adelaide’s Illuminate Festival
Adelaide’s compact nature makes visiting its annual winter festival of light, technology and art a pleasurable experience.
- Michael Bailey
The all-in-one physical, mental and emotional workout
Kimbali Harding began learning piano as a toddler. The hobby has not just guided her career choice – she can’t imagine her life without it.
- Life & Leisure
What makes Queen the most valuable rock band of all time
Expect to hear even more of the songs that have become anthems after the band sold the rights to Sony Music and the private equity giant Apollo for $1.9 billion.
- Liam Kelly
Shows you must see for NAIDOC Week
From a trans-Tasman tour de force for Bangarra Dance Theatre, to a Vincent Namatjira retrospective featuring ‘that’ portrait of Gina Rinehart, there are plenty of shows to get you into the spirit of the week.
- Michael Bailey
This 59-year-old play about broke divorcees oddly suits the times
Two of Australia’s great comedic actors make this revival of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple a funny, relatable affair.
- Michael Bailey
June
Seven shows you must see in July
From Dracula to Hamilton, to a gallery tour led by a cat – yes, a cat – here is Life & Leisure’s monthly selection of unmissable shows around the country.
- Michael Bailey
A Las Vegas residency is a nice little earner for top stars
When flamboyant pianist Liberace settled in for a prolonged stay in 1955, it started a trend that’s proved lucrative for performers and the city as a whole.
- Christopher Palmeri
When Maria Callas went from diva to teacher
By 1971, the celebrated soprano’s voice was worn out. This made for a febrile mood at her series of Juilliard masterclasses that year, now immortalised in a play.
- Michael Bailey
Renaissance renditions of Bee Gees? Only at one festival
With portraits ‘singing’ Aussie pop classics, fires in the botanic gardens and dinosaurs at the zoo, Adelaide’s Illuminate Festival wants to lure you out this winter.
- Michael Bailey
A cello or a house? The answer was easy for this virtuoso
Two airfares to get anywhere. A mortgage-sized outlay on a new instrument. The cello is an expensive addiction for Nicolas Altstaedt, who is touring with the ACO.
- Michael Bailey
