Just waiting outside the Old Adelaide Gaol for the doors to open confirms the idea that this won’t be your ordinary theatre show. Adventuring in the yard, my friend and I find a makeshift grave remembering ‘Missy’; the discovery seems fitting given what little I know about the show. When asked about Present Tense’s Chants…
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Based on the autobiographical book by Timothy Conigrave, Holding the Man tells the story of a romance which begins in high school and lasts until both partners die. It’s an enduring love, often shaken but never broken, ending only when the HIV which both Tim (Luke Clayson) and his partner John Caleo (Nic English) have…
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Mentioning Andrew Bolt’s name is controversial. Examining his writing riles some up, encourages some, disgusts others. He’s most recently been in the news for breaching the Racial Discrimination Act in several of his columns, which are still available to read online if you must; however, as you read them I would encourage you instead to…
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Winner of the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Sam Shepard’s Buried Child is a story about a family with a secret, a dark skeleton in the closet that the whole family remembers but no one will talk about. Set in rural America in dried-up farming country, the story revolves around the return of Vince (Tim…
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The first thing you’ll notice about Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters (once the blinding floodlights are pulled away to reveal the stage) is the set. It is magnificent, and it is beautiful. Co-designed by Gavan Swift and director Adam Cook, the pair has created an aged and damaged manor, complete with paint peeling off the walls…
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This is the play that a girl I know considered altering her flights to Europe for once she realised she’d miss it. That’s how much she was looking forward to seeing Andrew Bovell’s Speaking in Tongues, and although I’m sure Europe has its charms, she’s missing out. Directed by Geordie Brookman and featuring lighting and…
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The precursor to Australian film Lantana, State Theatre Company’s next play Speaking In Tongues by Andrew Bovell examines relationships and loyalty. I met with actors Lizzy Falkland and Leeanna Walsman (whom lip readers might recognise as Carly Bishop from Looking for Alibrandi. I know…I studied the book/film in high school and had a bit of…
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My favourite Tasmanian export is Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. She married a prince, mastered another language and is a classy dresser to boot. Actually, until I learnt of Tiger Choir’s existence, I probably couldn’t have named another Tasmanian, so I was understandably curious about what a real Tasmanian band sounded like. Tiger Choir’s debut…
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(The Zoo Story L-R: Renato Musolino and Brendan Rock) A man sits reading a book on a park bench. It’s his bench, his coveted, sunny, Sunday afternoon spot. His name is Peter. He has a wife, two cats, two parakeets, and two daughters. He works at a small publishing house and makes roughly $18,000 a…
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Growing up, I heard a lot about famous Australian actors. Older family members have a tendency to reminisce about what they perceive to be ‘the better days’ and television shows were apparently better when my middle-aged relatives were younger. For this reason, I vaguely recognised Garry McDonald’s face (although not his name) when I saw…
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Word from the wise: don’t spend those extra few minutes in front of a large screen in Rundle Mall when you’re only presuming to know where a theatre is. You may catch a glimpse of Kate Middleton’s dress before you dash off, but you’ll also realise you don’t actually know where you’re going and have…
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My introduction to The Mountain Goats came about thanks to a friend of mine who quickly became obsessed with their folky, poetic goodness. A few listens and a concert attendance later, I was a convert. John Darnielle’s sweet, nasally voice had made me a fan. A Goater, if you will. So it’s rather serendipitous that…
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