We’ve had some crazy weather in Melbourne over the past few weeks. With a strange mix of heat and humidity, sometimes you’d think we were in far north Queensland, instead of down the bottom of the continent where the humidity is usually none of our business down south. And so I found myself with frizzy humidity hair, makeup sliding my face, at the mercy of a sweltering replacement bus to get into the city on a muggy Saturday afternoon. None of it was pleasant. But I had a mission: I was invited to spend some time drinking Bombay Sapphire gin…
Author: Caroline Duncan
The return of A Christmas Carol to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre for the 2024 holiday season brings an immersive and emotionally rich take on Charles Dickens’ iconic story. This is a heartwarming theatrical experience that has become a festive tradition for many. This critically acclaimed Old Vic production of the timeless tale is back in Melbourne for its third year, adapted by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and directed by Matthew Warchus. At the heart of the production is Erik Thomson’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge, a role demanding a delicate balance between cold-hearted bitterness and transformative vulnerability. Thomson…
The Australian Venue Co. has landed in hot water over its approach to Australia Day 2025, igniting a heated national debate. The hospitality giant, which operates more over 200 venues across Australia – including 70 in Victoria – has reportedly instructed its locations to avoid framing the January 26 celebrations explicitly as “Australia Day.” The company operates some of Victoria’s most prominent and iconic pubs such as The Espy in St Kilda, the Anglers Tavern in Maribrynong, Beer DeLuxe at Fed Square and the Duke of Wellington in the CBD. Instead, Australian Venue Co. has emphasised inclusive messaging, aiming to…
The Offspring’s one-off concert on Sunday night (24 November) at Melbourne’s iconic Forum Theatre for Always Live 2024 was a night of pure punk rock magic. This was the only concert they played on their trip to Australia – and it attracted fans from all over the country. From the moment the Californian legends took the stage, the energy was electric, with front-man Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles leading the charge in a setlist that spanned decades of the group’s hits. Opening with the crowd-pumping anthem “Come Out And Play” the band quickly set the tone for the night, delivering…
The much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked (2024) -released in Australian cinemas on 21 November – delivers a magical cinematic experience, and will enchant fans of the beloved Broadway musical and newcomers alike. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie dazzles with its stunning visuals, rich performances, and faithful adaptation of the source material. Wicked tells the untold story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned girl destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande) the bubbly and ambitious Good Witch. Set in the magical land of Oz in a time some years before Dorothy and Toto…
TISM’s Death to Art tour at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday 9 November brought the band’s signature eccentricity to a whole new level and solidified their legacy as one of Australia’s most enigmatic acts. TISM – joined by Machine Gun Fellatio, Eskimo Joe, Ben Lee and The Mavis’s – delivered a chaotic mix of comedy, satire, and cutting-edge rock, giving fans an unforgettable night of Australian music. Known for their satirical and often biting commentary, TISM delivered not only classic hits like “Saturday Night Palsy”, “I’m Interested in Apathy”, “Greg! The Stop Sign!” and “(He’ll Never Be) An Ol’ Man…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), the beloved characters are coming to Melbourne in an exhibition that opens on Friday 8 November at the District Docklands. The TMNT: Heroes in a Half Shell Exhibition is an immersive experience that boasts five individual galleries that take visitors on a journey through the rich history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Director of Licensing and Consumer Products at Paramount Australia, Christie Scandura, said: “Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an important milestone for us, and we are thrilled to present an exhibition that not only…
The musical Sister Act opened at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on Sunday, with plenty of laughs and absolute belter musical numbers – but lacked the magic of the original motion picture. The musical is a lively adaptation of the beloved 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. However it was slow to get going – it took until halfway through the first act to really pick up pace with an overall enjoyable but slightly uneven experience for the audience. And if you were a fan of the songs from the movie, prepare to be disappointed: they do not feature at all in this musical adaption.…
Werewolf by Australian writer and activist Van Badham is a darkly comic and socially poignant political thriller that takes aim at the rise of extremism and conspiracy theories in contemporary Australia. It’s currently playing at The Arts Centre Melbourne, until 26 October, as part of this year’s Fringe Festival. Van Badham writes in the program for Werewolf that when she was writing her bestselling book QAnon And On: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults she made many discoveries about modern extremists that seemed too crazy to even include. One of these was the story of a “white…
There are reports that the plagued Docklands observation wheel could spin again as early next year, with the liquidators in talks with a potential buyer who doesn’t want it for scrap. The Herald Sun reports “a takeover deal for the wheel is close, with “due diligence” checks being run to assess its viability and safety.” The Docklands Wheel – also known as the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel – ceased spinning in 2021 and entered liquidation. According to the Herald Sun report, liquidators Grant Thornton have confirmed there are talks about a potential resurrection and takeover of the wheel. The liquidators…
The Whitlams kicked off their Love This City 25th anniversary tour at the iconic Corner Hotel in Richmond on Thursday, which has seen them play a string of shows at the beloved Melbourne venue before they take it on the road across the country. I attended the Saturday night show (5 October) and paid witness to an unforgettable celebration of one of Australia’s most acclaimed albums of the 1990s. The band’s performance was a testament to their staying power and the timelessness of their music, delivering a live experience that was both nostalgic and invigorating. An iconic album with enduring messages…
Hire e-scooters are now scooting off out of the CBD, following the Melbourne City Council’s resolution to ban them at a meeting last month. The rental operators need to remove the scooters from the CBD by midnight on 24 September, or face fines. Social media users have noted the two companies – Lime and Neuron – have been busy rounding up the scooters from the city and removing them ahead of the ban. The Guardian reports that around 1500 e-scooters have been loaded one-by-one onto trucks and taken from the city. The publication also says that rental e-scooters that aren’t…