Life for women after 50 – hit comic newcomers hold a mirror to it all

Relatable stories providing a glimpse of what goes on in women’s lives are proving a hit for audiences – and the performers discovering standup comedy in midlife.

• March 30,2024
• byWendy Tuohy

‘The people own that’:Eddie Perfect says State Theatre should not be renamed

In a social media post the acclaimed performer asked “why the Ian Potter Foundation feels the need to put his name on a theatre that belongs to all of us”.

• March 30,2024
• byWill Cox

Godzilla x Kong promised to be the bromance to end all bromances – what went wrong?

The much anticipated Godzilla x Kong:The New Empire is,unfortunately,less a battle of the giants and more of a jokey letdown.

• March 28,2024
• byJake Wilson

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024

This year’s laugh-fest has kicked off,with more than 800 performers set to step up to the mic. Here,our writers take a closer look.

He was playing the ‘wrong’ instrument – but nailed the concert anyway

Listeners were dazzled with the dizzying accuracy of Vikingur Olafsson’s fast hand-crossing,which was made far more perilous on a modern piano.

• March 27,2024
• byTony Way andCameron Woodhead

This revolutionary feminist was executed at 31. Her ideas never died

Farewell Lady Autumn at La Mama is inspired by the life of Qiu Jin,who was executed after being implicated in a failed assassination plot.

• March 26,2024
• byCameron Woodhead,Kosa Monteith,Jessica Nicholas,Barney Zwartz andTyson Wray

Be amazed by what a plumber from Tassie has done to Cirque du Soleil

Three performers now present their acts in a deluge of 10,000 litres of water,but first they had to learn to walk on it.

• March 26,2024
• byNadia Bailey

Making some noise:the Australian comedians enjoying the Taskmaster effect

After proving themselves to TV’s Taskmaster,these comedians are touring with a newfound confidence and fanbase.

• March 25,2024
• byHannah Story

This three-course menu pairs the wine perfectly with its cocaine-addled chef

‘Gluttony:A Play in Three Courses’ offers an immersive performance as part of Melbourne’s Food&Wine Festival. Don’t worry,your only participation requirement is enjoying the food.

• March 20,2024
• byCameron Woodhead,Andrew Fuhrmann andBarney Zwartz

Wrangling this massive rock/jazz/funk band requires the patience of a saint

Bassist Michael League has learnt a thing or two after 20 years of directing Snarky Puppy.

• March 20,2024
• byJohn Shand