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Situation Theatre

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Progressive Populism Has Transformed Australia Before - It Could Do It Again
Progressive Populism Has Transformed Australia Before - It Could Do It Again

In Australian politics today, the neoliberal consensus seems unshakable. But the experience of the Curtin and Whitlam Labor governments shows the potential of progressive populism to deliver social change — a potential we can also glimpse in the recent growth of the Greens.

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The Australian Labor Party Needs To Ditch Neoliberalism Instead of Doubling Down
The Australian Labor Party Needs To Ditch Neoliberalism Instead of Doubling Down

The Write Stuff, a recent collection of essays from the ALP’s conservative wing, argues that Labor must shift even further to the right to become electorally successful. The book’s authors couldn’t be more wrong — to win, Labor must ditch the neoliberal policies they celebrate.

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Scott Morrison Isn’t The Australian Trump — He’s A Margaret Thatcher Tribute Band
Scott Morrison Isn’t The Australian Trump — He’s A Margaret Thatcher Tribute Band

Australian PM Scott Morrison is often compared to Donald Trump. Morrison is certainly a race-baiter who serves the rich, but his brand of reheated “populism” borrows far more from Britain’s Margaret Thatcher and former PM John Howard. Unfortunately, it’s not dead yet.

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185 Things The Coalition Government Did to Asylum Seekers And Refugees
185 Things The Coalition Government Did to Asylum Seekers And Refugees

Hanging with Tim Stewart sounds awful, but wait until you read what else Scott Morrison and his band of fanatics have done…

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Aboriginal Leaders Make Statements From The Heart. Liberal Leaders Make Statements From White Supremacy.
Aboriginal Leaders Make Statements From The Heart. Liberal Leaders Make Statements From White Supremacy.

The PM reckons the decimation of 500 Aboriginal nations and the funny tummies of his ancestors are comparable. Reading the words of Aboriginal and Liberal leaders side by side, it's hard to deny that white supremacy has long been at the helm of the Australian Government.

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For Whom Does Australia Exist?
For Whom Does Australia Exist?

Australia is not for its people but for its plutocrats: for the billionaires, for the coal barons, for the media oligarchs, and for the corrupt politicians who represent them. It doesn’t have to be this way.

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Here's 307 Things The Coalition Government Did To "Confront" Climate Change
Here's 307 Things The Coalition Government Did To "Confront" Climate Change

Last night the Morrison Government rushed reheated Abbot-era environmental legislation through the House of Representatives without debate. The bill would yet again undermine protections and fail to deliver the national standards recommended by the recent federal environment law review. It’s just the latest attack on the nation’s life support systems in a seven year record of destruction, any one of which should be disqualifying for any party claiming to represent the Australian people.

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Fight For Planet A+
Fight For Planet A+

By focusing on solutions, adopting a light-hearted engaging tone, and weaving individualism into a broader social fabric, Craig Reucassel succeeds where many have failed before him.

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We Should Have Had A Federal ICAC 100 Corruption Scandals Ago
We Should Have Had A Federal ICAC 100 Corruption Scandals Ago

It’s been 10 years since the Greens first introduced legislation for a Federal ICAC to Parliament, subsequently blocked at every turn by the Coalition. Meanwhile, Liberal and National Party politicians have racked up at least 100 examples of corruption and cronyism, virtually without consequence. Coincidence? Probably.

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Their ABC: How Conservatives Beat Aunty Into Submission
Their ABC: How Conservatives Beat Aunty Into Submission

The Coalition’s corruption has never been more flagrant, yet the ABC’s ability to hold it to account has never been less potent.Today’s announcement of the axing of 250 more ABC jobs due to budget cuts is but the latest tragic, upsetting, and disturbing assault of an abusive government.

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Kelly’s Staggeringly Different Treatment Of Frydenberg And Bandt Shows How Far Right The ABC Has Drifted
Kelly’s Staggeringly Different Treatment Of Frydenberg And Bandt Shows How Far Right The ABC Has Drifted

The Insiders host gave the Greens MP a whipping and the Treasurer some whipped cream. It’s indicative of broader crisis in Australian journalism.

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We Don’t Have A Government. We Have A Plaything Of The Coal Industry And Murdoch Press.
We Don’t Have A Government. We Have A Plaything Of The Coal Industry And Murdoch Press.

As the Prime Minister continues to deny the factual links between the climate, bushfire, and drought emergencies devastating the nation, there can be no doubt that the Australian state has been completely captured by fossil fuel and media billionaires.

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It’s Almost As If Causing Offence Is A Deliberate Distraction From The Government’s Climate Crimes
It’s Almost As If Causing Offence Is A Deliberate Distraction From The Government’s Climate Crimes

No government could be so morally bankrupt and pathetic as to throw a dead cat on the table in the middle of a national emergency, could they?

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As The Government Gets Worse, The Satire Gets Better
As The Government Gets Worse, The Satire Gets Better

Abbott’s Law states the quality of a nation’s satire is inversely proportional to the quality of the government. For the last six years the world’s best satire has called Australia home.

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Australia's True Colours Are Red, White, And Racist. No-One Should Stand For It.
Australia's True Colours Are Red, White, And Racist. No-One Should Stand For It.

This nation is stained with blood, soaked with white supremacy, and shameless with its boastful brand of discrimination. Aboriginal leaders and refugees light the path to justice and healing, we just need the courage to follow them, writes Liam McLoughlin.

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Not Just For Laughs: How Australian Satirists Are Undermining White Supremacist Patriarchy
Not Just For Laughs: How Australian Satirists Are Undermining White Supremacist Patriarchy

Diverse local comedians are making institutional sexism and racism laughable.

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We Need To Talk Much Less About Andrew Bolt And Much More About Treaty
We Need To Talk Much Less About Andrew Bolt And Much More About Treaty

A Yolngu man's extraordinary win at the Northern Territory election is a significant milestone for the Treaty movement. Yet all the media can talk about is the 'Indigenous' Andrew Bolt.

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Malcolm's Sensible Centre: Corporatisation, Concentration Camps and Climate Catastrophe
Malcolm's Sensible Centre: Corporatisation, Concentration Camps and Climate Catastrophe

Say what you like about the Prime Minister, but at least when torturing refugees, cooking the planet, and accelerating the corporate takeover of our democracy, he's sensible about it.

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Interview: What Johan Galtung Asked The Taliban
Interview: What Johan Galtung Asked The Taliban

The Norwegian sociologist, who helped found the field of 'peace journalism', spoke to NM columnist Liam McLoughlin about conflict, terror and talking to the Taliban.

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'Nothing Else Works': Only Self-Determination Can Stop Another Don Dale
'Nothing Else Works': Only Self-Determination Can Stop Another Don Dale

The horrors of juvenile detention in the NT shocked Australia, but they are the inevitable result of a system that seeks to punish and to dominate rather than hand back control.

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"Objective" Journalism Is Glorified PR
"Objective" Journalism Is Glorified PR

Changes to the media landscape since the 1980s have only exacerbated problems in the industry, and encouraged a model of reporting that gives preference to balance over truth.

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Policy By Policy, The Greens Stack Up Better
Policy By Policy, The Greens Stack Up Better

This year, the choice for progressive voters is clear.

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How Propaganda Numbs Australians To The Extraordinary Violence Of Our Refugee Policy
How Propaganda Numbs Australians To The Extraordinary Violence Of Our Refugee Policy

A speech given by Liam McLoughlin at a forum organised by Niko Leka and Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy.

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Causing A RUCKUS: The Artists Smashing Stereotypes About Disability
Causing A RUCKUS: The Artists Smashing Stereotypes About Disability

A moment of abuse became a flash of inspiration.

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The Banality Of Peter Dutton
The Banality Of Peter Dutton

Behind the risible Minister's hapless racism is the kind of evil Hannah Arendt once grappled with.

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Keep Left: Lessons From The UK And Canada To Help Kick This Mob Out
Keep Left: Lessons From The UK And Canada To Help Kick This Mob Out

The contrasting fates of centre-left parties in the UK and Canada are instructive, and can serve as both a warning and a guide to Labor and the Greens. Centrism doesn't always pay.

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An Open Letter To Malcolm Turnbull And Peter Dutton
An Open Letter To Malcolm Turnbull And Peter Dutton

As Australia's refugee policies continue to inflict agony, it's time for the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration to suspend their moral disengagement.

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The Canadian Plan That Could Help Australia Beat Neoliberalism
The Canadian Plan That Could Help Australia Beat Neoliberalism

A road map to challenge this dominating and devastating ideology.

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Stopping Global Meltdown: Joining Indigenous Women At The Barricades Of Climate Resistance
Stopping Global Meltdown: Joining Indigenous Women At The Barricades Of Climate Resistance

"This is no longer just an Indigenous People's problem. If you breathe air and drink water, this is about you."

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Treaty, Yeah! Momentum Grows For National Agreements
Treaty, Yeah! Momentum Grows For National Agreements

There's a growing push among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Treaty. Liam McLoughlin reports.

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SATIRE
Satire
PM Takes Quick Break From Crushing Working Class To Pretend To Be Working Class
PM Takes Quick Break From Crushing Working Class To Pretend To Be Working Class

Like American Psycho Patrick Bateman using his charms to disguise his essence as a deranged killer, the Prime Minister uses Sharkies merch to cover up his war on the working class.

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Woman Accused of Vandalising Sacred Site Tells Police Her Name Is “Rio Tinto"
Woman Accused of Vandalising Sacred Site Tells Police Her Name Is “Rio Tinto"

Not only were the charges dropped, but she was then paid $29 billion to keep up the good work.

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Nation Which Explodes 46,000-Year-Old Sacred Site During Reconciliation Week Sums Up Its Entire Identity
Nation Which Explodes 46,000-Year-Old Sacred Site During Reconciliation Week Sums Up Its Entire Identity

Straya.

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Labor Announces Merger With The Liberal Party
Labor Announces Merger With The Liberal Party

The leader of the united party will be called “ScoBo”.

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Mining CEO's Iron Ore Expertise Makes Him Logical Choice To Lead Coronavirus Response
Mining CEO's Iron Ore Expertise Makes Him Logical Choice To Lead Coronavirus Response

Nothing prepares you to solve the social and economic problems of a global pandemic quite like shipping 170 million tonnes of iron ore per annum.

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Terrified Policeman Courageously Stands Up To Menacing Child
Terrified Policeman Courageously Stands Up To Menacing Child

The scared and brave officer of the NSW Police Force ignored the sick feeling in his stomach to stare down the highly intimidating 10-year-old girl.

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Messiah From The Shire Performs Christmas Miracle Of Making Tony Abbott Look Good
Messiah From The Shire Performs Christmas Miracle Of Making Tony Abbott Look Good

Incredible.

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"An Apocalyptic Tragedy": PM Says Smoke Ruined Chrissie Drinks With The Murdochs
"An Apocalyptic Tragedy": PM Says Smoke Ruined Chrissie Drinks With The Murdochs

Ordinary Aussie PM breaks his silence on the bushfire crisis: “There was ash in my champagne and a grittiness to my caviar. It was heartbreaking.”

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10 Million Australians Devote Thoughts And Prayers To Ensure Missing PM Stays Missing
10 Million Australians Devote Thoughts And Prayers To Ensure Missing PM Stays Missing

God is absolutely run off his feet.

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Lazy, Narcissistic, iPhone-Addicted Generation Organises Biggest Day Of Climate Action In History
Lazy, Narcissistic, iPhone-Addicted Generation Organises Biggest Day Of Climate Action In History

What hope does humanity have when all young people do is lie around in bed all day watching YouTube and posting about their feelings.

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Larrikin Aussies Who Love Mateship Enter 7th Year Of Torturing Refugees In Island Prisons
Larrikin Aussies Who Love Mateship Enter 7th Year Of Torturing Refugees In Island Prisons

When they’re not spending their tax dollars warehousing traumatised refugees in concentration camps, Aussies bloody love a laugh.

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Earth’s Last Two Humans Still Confident Green Capitalism Can Address Climate Breakdown
Earth’s Last Two Humans Still Confident Green Capitalism Can Address Climate Breakdown

“Never forget the power of keep cups”.

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Nation That Spent 3 Years Booing Aboriginal Man For Being Too Aboriginal Still Unsure If It's Racist
Nation That Spent 3 Years Booing Aboriginal Man For Being Too Aboriginal Still Unsure If It's Racist

Who am I?

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Europe Swamped By Illegals As White People Go Back To Where They Came From
Europe Swamped By Illegals As White People Go Back To Where They Came From

Indigenous peoples of Australia, Canada, Africa, South America, and the U.S. relieved their “fuck off we’re full” campaign has finally paid off.

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Archaeologist Discovers Skeleton Of Man Who Died Waiting For Labor To Become Progressive
Archaeologist Discovers Skeleton Of Man Who Died Waiting For Labor To Become Progressive

It’s the most significant finding since Homo luzonensis fossils were uncovered in the Philippines back in April.

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Adani Approval Set To Create Jobs Boom For 3 Lucky Australians
Adani Approval Set To Create Jobs Boom For 3 Lucky Australians

For Gazza, Bazza, Wazza, and an Indian billionaire, the approval is a huge win. For the rest of the world’s flora and fauna, well they can all go and fuck themselves.

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Scott Morrison Appoints Himself To All Cabinet Positions
Scott Morrison Appoints Himself To All Cabinet Positions

After hiding the entire ministry in his basement for the duration of the campaign, the Prime Minister has decided all he needs to run the country is his own fair dinkum attitude, a few baseball caps, and the unconditional backing of a few billionaires.

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Three Billionaires Congratulate Morrison For Winning Election All By Himself
Three Billionaires Congratulate Morrison For Winning Election All By Himself

Democracy was the real winner.

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New Zealand Navy Turns Back Thousands Of Australian Boats
New Zealand Navy Turns Back Thousands Of Australian Boats

Looks like progressive Australians will have to stay here and fight this shoey of a government.

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Aussie Free Speech Warriors Working Round The Clock To Secure Assange’s Release
Aussie Free Speech Warriors Working Round The Clock To Secure Assange’s Release

A phalanx of the nation’s free speech soldiers have been quick to get behind the award-winning journalist.

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Report Reveals Disturbing Education Crisis In White Commercial TV Communities
Report Reveals Disturbing Education Crisis In White Commercial TV Communities

They urgently need an intervention.

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Ordinary Aussie Bloke Gives Billions To Private Schools And Big Business, Cuts Billions From Public Schools, Hospitals, And Welfare, Sabotages Climate Action, And Crushes The Lives Of Refugees
Ordinary Aussie Bloke Gives Billions To Private Schools And Big Business, Cuts Billions From Public Schools, Hospitals, And Welfare, Sabotages Climate Action, And Crushes The Lives Of Refugees

After three years of being ruled by a millionaire with a leather jacket it’s so refreshing to be ruled by a millionaire with a baseball cap.

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Families Evicted From Rio's Slums Say "The Important Thing Is Australia's Gold Medals"
Families Evicted From Rio's Slums Say "The Important Thing Is Australia's Gold Medals"

Don't let the brutal state crackdown on poor communities distract you from Australia's shower of gold!

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Annabel Crabb Enjoys Yummy Samosas With Serbian War Criminal Radovan Karadzic
Annabel Crabb Enjoys Yummy Samosas With Serbian War Criminal Radovan Karadzic

Turns out  Radovan is an absolute sweetheart.

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Turnbull To Charismatically Dismantle Public Services And Charmingly Violate Human Rights
Turnbull To Charismatically Dismantle Public Services And Charmingly Violate Human Rights

He'll hack away at welfare and workers' rights but at least he'll do it with a nice smile.

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Indigenous Landowners Close 150 Affluent Communities
Indigenous Landowners Close 150 Affluent Communities

All residents of Mosman, Toorak and Cottesloe will be relocated to central Australia and forced to live off the land.

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Reviews
Reviews
In the Heights.jpg
In The Heights
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Déjà Revue
Déjà Revue

The familiar awfulness of Australian politics is clearly a curse but the familiarity of the revue itself is a mixed blessing.

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The Drover's Wife
The Drover's Wife

Powerful theatre which gives a truer account of our past than much of Australian history.

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Aladdin The Musical
Aladdin The Musical

Spectacular entertainment for lovers of the Disney film.

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The Hanging
The Hanging

A beautiful brew of intelligent writing, stimulating critique, and compelling crime drama.

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Soweto Gospel Choir
Soweto Gospel Choir

Glorious entertainment which honours international struggles for justice.

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Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host
Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host

Entertaining and playful with moments of exquisite beauty, Three Acts captures the spirit of This American Life.

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All My Sons
All My Sons

Powerful performances portray the immense human costs of capitalism.

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Blonde Poison
Blonde Poison

A fascinating depiction of how human beings try to absolve themselves of wicked deeds.

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Shut Up And Drive
Shut Up And Drive

A diverse, thoughtful and amusing take on freedom under late capitalism.

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The Great Fire
The Great Fire

The Great Fire could use more heat and light.

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Romeo And Juliet
Romeo And Juliet

Despite great moments, this production lacks the emotional depth you crave from Romeo and Juliet

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The Blind Giant Is Dancing
The Blind Giant Is Dancing

Pulsing with passion, this classic Australian political thriller speaks volumes about the present.

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The Secret River
The Secret River

One of the most brilliant and important plays Australia has ever produced.

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Tomorrow's Parties
Tomorrow's Parties

Despite an interesting premise and solid performances, Tomorrow's Parties dystopic visions limit the emotional pull.

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The Invisible Dot Cabaret
The Invisible Dot Cabaret

With few hits and plenty of misses, Invisible Dot Cabaret fails to live up to the hype.

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Circus Oz: But Wait...There's More
Circus Oz: But Wait...There's More

Circus Oz pairs astonishing moments of skill and beauty with progressive politics to create a satisfying spectacle for all ages.

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The Sound Of Music
The Sound Of Music

An enchanting production of the beloved musical.

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Orlando
Orlando

A playful, vibrant and vital retelling of Woolf's classic tale of gender transformation.

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Edward II
Edward II

A passionate tale of Medieval politics which leaves audiences feeling a little indifferent.

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Ivanov
Ivanov

A masterful adaptation which brings a light touch to dark themes.

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City Of Angels
City Of Angels

A superb cast meets the challenge of this highly intelligent musical gem.

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La Traviata
La Traviata

An irreverent, hilarious and piercing critique of trends in the Australian arts industry.

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Seventeen
Seventeen

Its moving portrayal of ostracism elevates Seventeen above an appealing premise into great theatre.

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Coming To See Aunt Sophie
Coming To See Aunt Sophie

A flawed but important play which condemns passivity and praises resistance to injustice.

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The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard

A faithful version of this classic play which is strong on comedy but weaker on pathos.

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The Ishmael Club
The Ishmael Club

A timely and passionate depiction of the ideological war that elitists have long waged on the arts.

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Like Me
Like Me

Like me reflects back to us some of the worst aspects of our public culture.

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Hair To The Throne
Hair To The Throne

Lazy writing and regressive gender politics undermine the work of a talented performer.

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The Diary of Anne Frank
The Diary of Anne Frank

Outstanding performances and thoughtful direction make for a compelling production with a potent message.

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