The Cubby is an excellent new production by the talented Flipside team; a funny, skilful, and creative exploration of the importance of play and imagination.

I was enthralled, moved, and occasionally astounded by Circa’s What Will Have Been. A gem of show; if you have the chance to see it, then go.

A great choice by PIP Theatre: excellent direction and staging, and strong leading performances by Rijen Laine and Tegan Braithwaite. But I’d prefer to have seen this as a much shorter production.

The Sound of Music, staring Gabriella Flowers, was a memorable production that demonstrates the importance of quality community theatre.

Congratulations to Lachlan Driscoll, Lucy Rayner-Toy and their writers, dramaturgs, cast and fellow creatives. I’m particularly looking forward to the March staged reading of The Cane, and also to the rest of the Observatory Theatre 2024-and-beyond seasons.

New Beginnings is the apt title for a show celebrating a rainbow of talent, style, and professionalism. As they so impressively demonstrated in this December show, the Flipside Circus skills, friendships, poise, and professionalism will stand the seven graduating students in good stead—whatever they each decide to do next.

Jingle is a great festive treat for the younger members of the family.

Congratulations to Xanthe Jones who created a Tempest that featured some glorious costumes, and was a light-hearted romp that was suitable for a family early-evening show.

I strongly recommend Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit, as this is a clever, funny, professional, beautifully-observed, and very well-researched show.

The Bed Party is a show that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the 30-something challenges of dating, friendship, and growing up.

The Music Man is not my favourite musical, by any stretch, but this Savoyards production is worth seeing for the great work by the leading man, David West, and charming performances by the younger members of the cast.

I’d love to see a future iteration that might have a greater emphasis on Daniel Riley’s choreography, and perhaps a slight reduction in the spoken text. We have much to continue to learn.

Kathryn Hall’s Sheltered is a charming, clever, cheeky, and compelling show.

Another Flipside Circus success: impressive and highly professional circus skills, set to a an upbeat playlist.  

Eternity is a compelling production that demonstrates the talents of world-class performers, where the skills of a visionary creative team evoke feelings of joy, awe, and delight. THE must-see show of Brisbane Festival 2023.

A challenging work, with strong performances by five talented local actors.

The Savoyards’ 42nd Street is a funny, uplifting, and entertaining musical theatre show—and an excellent demonstration of what fantastic value a Savoyards production can be.

A compelling physical theatre work, Break speaks directly to anyone who has aimed high and fallen.

Well done, 4MBS; a good addition to your celebratory 30 years of the ‘Festival of Classics’ program.

A great choice of play, cast, creatives, and venue. Just a pity that this show doesn’t have a longer run.

A clever way in which to present (and occasionally repurpose) well-known Shakespearean monologues.

34 Scenes About the Weather is an interesting and well-executed concept that makes for an entertaining evening.

An interesting debut production

A memorable Anywhere Festival Australian Modern The View From Madeline’s Couch show.

I strongly recommend Into the Light: an exceptional, thought-provoking, occasionally confronting, work of physical theatre.

An impressive dungeons-and-dragons-meets-escape-room piece of immersive theatre.

A great variety show, perfectly placed in a brewhouse. Expect to be entertained, and occasionally wowed by Glitter Martini’s Tipsy History.

I can see why writers’ festivals attract such a strong following, and am already looking forward to the next Brisbane Writers Festival… roll on BWF’24 !

The Wawahine Lounge was a great venue for an intimate performance by the talented Ruby Gilbert, showcasing new and well-loved songs.

Fully interactive and certainly entertaining, The Hänz On Experience is a great fringe and comedy festival show.