PREVIOUS EVENT - Escher X Nendo - National Gallery of Victor

Catch the unique blend of visiting the galleries to see the work of Dutch artist M. C. Escher and renowned Japanese design studio nendo combine artforms in the celebration of optical illusion and challenging space and perception. 

Currently on at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the exhibit features 160 prints and drawings spanning Escher’s full career from 1916-1969. Design studio nendo manage to create a space worthy of inspiration from Escher, offering an exciting and unique immersive experience that runs throughout the exhibit. 

On from December 2018 to the 7th April 2019, we encourage all who appreciate unique art and those looking to venture out in Melbourne to check out what is sure to be a once-off chance to see two art worlds meet and collide beautifully. 

Escher X nendo - Between Two Worlds will run until 7 April 2019. Tickets available here. 

Located by the Observatory in the Royal Botanical Gardens, we wandered back to the 17th century for a night out to enjoy a show curated by the revered Australian Shakespeare Company. Elated to enjoy a family-friendly, cultural experience, we managed to catch the performance of Twelfth Night;a romantic comedy exploring gender identity and sexual attraction, filled with a plethora of slapstick humour and wit. Having only the contemporary teenage comedy movie She's The Man as our reference point, we kept an open mind as the show began and the performers took to the stage. 

Twelfth Night covers the story of a cross-dressing heroine Viola, AKA Cesario (Elizabeth Brennan), who after being separated from her twin Sebastian in a shipwreck, finds herself serving Duke Orsino (Hugh Sexton). Navigating a complicated love triangle, the basis of the performance has Orsino lust over Countless Olivia (Anna Burgess), who finds herself falling for Cesario, unbeknownst to her that Viola is in disguise. A tale of intrigue, desire, jest and love, the cast manages to capture the essence of Shakespeare in bringing to life one of the classics. We laughed at the ruckus caused by Sir Toby Belch (Kevin Hopkins), Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Anthony Rive), Fabian (Madeleine Somers) and Maria (Claire Nicholls) throughout the performance, the ever-apparent commentary provided by Feste (Patrick Schnur) and the pranks pulled on the vain and pompous Malvolio (Dion Mills). 

The performance of Twelfth Night was directed and designed by Glenn Elston, and credit goes to all involved for putting on a wonderful show. The cast had the audience sitting on the edge of their seat (or picnic rug) for the entirety of the performance and managed to find the perfect blend of delivering an old classic with a modern and intriguing take. We look forward to heading back to see some more Shakespeare at the drop of a hat. If you are interested in attending the show, or any other productions by the Australian Shakespeare Company, head to their website to get all the relevant information. 

Photo Credit: Nicole Cleary

Brought to Rippon Lea Estate's lush green gardens by the Australian Shakespeare Company is Alice in Wonderland. As a family-friendly adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, the play features the all too familiar characters we've all grown up with.

Greeting the audience as 'little caterpillars', Alice, the White Rabbit and friends all delivered on plenty of laughs, songs and interaction for the entertainment of the kids. With every scene, the play's characters get progressively curiouser and curioser - one of our favourites being Humpty Dumpty and the Mad Hatter.

At the climax of the play, it's time for the Queen of Hearts' croquet game, which means it's time for some audience participation! Once the adults in the crowd are suited up as the deck of cards, a parade marks the beginning of a game. We won't spoil the surprise for you, but it had everyone cheering along and laughing.

Filled with plenty of music, joking around, beautiful sets and costumes, Alice in Wonderland is a great production to take your kids to. The playis showing at the Estate until 26 January, so make sure you check out the Australian Shakespeare Company's website to book tickets and get more info on this season's program.

Hosted by Melbourne’s own Karen from Finance, and starring an amazing lineup of drag superstars, this was a night not to miss for drag fans. 

Held at Chasers in South Yarra, the sold out show was packed wall to wall with all sorts of Halloween costumes. Ball goers were treated to two sets from each queen; Sharon Needles, Alaska Thunderfuck, Milk, Detox, Shea Coulee, Vivacious, and fan favourite Miz Cracker. 

Highlights of the night included Alaska’s rendition of My Heart Will Go On while dressed as Wicked’s Elphaba, and Shea Coulee’s lip sync to Nicki Minaj’s Monster verse (as well as Disturbia); while the Queen of Halloween herself, Sharon Needles, closed the show performing her original songs. 

Take a look into the human body at the Body Worlds Vital exhibition held at the Melbourne Showgrounds. 

Featuring ‘plastinated’ human bodies, the exhibition offers a real look into how humans function. There’s sections on the circulatory system, digestive system, and muscular system - all displaying real body parts. 

Seeing what is practically flayed people on display is quite confronting at first, but if you look past the fact you’re looking at what was once people, the exhibition really is fascinating. 

Tickets are $30 for adults. The exhibit is only on until 18 November - so get a move on and buy tickets here.  

Located three hours out from the CBD, the King Valley region is known for its Italian style wines. Although it is a lesser-know region, it is definitely one to keep an eye on; especially by those who are a fan of red wines. We made the trip up to the area for the weekend, for La Dolce Vita. Held once a year, La Dolce Vita is a celebration of the King Valley’s wines and local food.

Purchase a ticket for $25, and you’ll gain access to free tastings and entertainment at participating wineries. Depending on where you end up, you’ll be able to treat yourself to some fresh pasta, arancini, or even some cannoli. 

We spent one of our days at King River Estate, who were celebrating the launch of their new Prosecco. Paired with some woodfired pizza, live music, and perfect weather, the day was top notch. 

If you’re after an escape from the city, and are keen for a day trip, head on up to the King Valley. We know we’re using every excuse to get back up there.

Amassing over half a million attendees all over the world (and counting), art collective Random International’s Rain Room now has its first home in the Southern Hemisphere right here in Melbourne. Previously showing at New York’s MoMa and the Barbican in London, Rain Room is an immersive art exhibit like no other. 

Presented by ACMI and Jackalope, Rain Room boasts 100 square metres of continuous rainfall - with the added perk that you won’t get soaked through. Rigged with what we can only imagine is hundreds of motion sensors, the experience allows you to stand under falling rain, while also being protected from it. The installation is itself an incredible piece of technology, showcasing just how much the line between art and science can be blurred. 

We were lucky enough to be invited down to the installation one night, to experience Rain Room firsthand. After a brief history of the exhibit and the minds behind it, the group is split into two. What may seem like a small group is necessary, as we found that too many people would just take away from the experience too much. Once under the rain, you’ll find yourself taking some of the most Instagram-worthy shots, all thanks to some very dramatic lighting. 

You’ll find the Rain Room at the Jackalope Pavilion in St Kilda; a structure built solely for the installation. The venue is to be used for future pieces presented by Random International, so keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming works. Rain Room is only on until the end of January 2020, and is constantly booking out, so make sure you get your tickets locked in soon. 

Whether you're a cat owner, a breeder, or even if you just really want to pet a cat, the Cat Lovers Show is the perfect place for you! Held at the Royal Exhibition Building over the last weekend of November, this year's show was bigger and better than before.

With heaps of vendors, samples to pick up, and competitions to enter, there really was no shortage of things to do at the show. Cat-centric businesses from all over were to be found in every corner of the building - happy for you to browse their wares, or even take home some samples for your feline friend. With promotions galore, there was heaps of reasons for you to take home a new pet water fountain, or even a state of the art self-cleaning litter box!

Throughout the weekend, several stages in the building were home to guest presentations and demonstrations. We stopped by the Royal Canin stage to watch a presentation from Dr Katrina Warren, as well as a keynote from Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown on big cat and house cat instincts. On the Black Hawk stage was a range of cats and their owners showcasing their talents - each act more impressive than the next.

Upstairs in the convention centre was breed showcases, as well as cat rescue and adoption organisations. With plenty of cats in foster care needing homes, it was great to see cat rescues raising awareness, as well as hopefully re-homing some cats!

Completing the weekend's show was a mini food truck festival, free face-painting, and cat advice panels. All in all, we had a rather pawsome time at the Cat Lovers Show with our fellow crazy cat people, and hope to be back at next year's!

Party Beyond was held over the weekend in collaboration with Due West Arts Festival; offering party-goers the chance to party the night away at one of the all-time favourite nostalgic venues - Scienceworks and the Planetarium. Open all night, our team explored the exhibits, soaked in the live music and witnessed history under the big dome. 

Entering the venue, the admissions desk has Nuestro Planeta with DAWS, Chanel and Zeneth Altrow spinning the decks from start to end. As we began our journey through time and space, we made the most of visiting Scienceworks and did exactly what you'd imagine - exploring Think Ahead, Beyond Perception and Sportsworks. Learning all about technology, space and the future, many flocked to Sportsworks to test their skills and compete against their friends in healthy competition. 

As you walk around, it's clear to see there is entertainment in every corner of the venue. From the beats in Think Ahead from SHOUSE, to Mike Gurrieri, DJ Manchild and Rara Zulu outside, the vibe is one big party. On the Sportsworks Balcony, MAI with bubble machine in tow proclaims 'We came here for school excursions, now we come here to party'. Each time we visited an exhibit, we found a new artist and something interesting to see or do. With Memphis LK performing at Ground Up, to Sui Zhen's stellar spectacle at Beyond Perception, time stood still as we soaked in all there was to offer. 

For us, the highlight of the night was seeing BATTS and her collaboration with the Planetarium. It was an incredible experience not to be missed. Witnessing a performance inside the Planetarium was unbelievable, and to have BATTS perform live songs from her debut album The Grand Tour with visuals created for the event was next level. The set syncronised with the themes of the album, taking you on the journey of Voyager 1. If it wasn't obvious enough from the NASA high-tops and galaxy print outfit, this was a chance to see BATTS in a world of her own. 

Party Beyond was a chance for people to come together in the name of art and science, and to make a party of it. We loved every second.

28 Aug, 30 Aug, 1 Sept, 6 Sept 2022

Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne

Lucrezia Borgia was first performed in Milan in 1833, and had its Australian premiere in 1855. It has been 45 years since Australian audiences experienced the melodrama and magic of the Gaetano Donizetti bel canto masterpiece, and welcoming it back to our city was the Melbourne Opera company. 

Based on the life of the aristocrat of the same name, the performance follows the tragic undoing of Lucrezia and her long lost son. After being spotted with her secret son by her husband Alfonso, he becomes hellbent on revenge against who he believes to be his wife’s lover. What follows is a case of mistaken identity, and the wrath of a wronged woman. 

The production, directed by Gary Abrahams, is supported by the Melbourne Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conductors Raymond Lawrence (Aug 28 & 30) and Greg Hocking AM (Sep 1 & 6) and an all-star cast. Australian born international soprano Helena Dix (MO production credits include Macbeth, Lohengrin, Norma, and Roberto Devereux) astonishes audiences in her latest role as the femme fatale Lucrezia Borgia. Supported by the bold baritone Christopher Hillier as Don Alfonso, talented tenor James Egglestone as Lucrezia’s son Gennaro, and magnificent mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd as Orsini, the cast shines as the drama unfolds throughout the performance. 

There’s a lot to love about this latest production, with a thoroughly entertaining plot line and a slew of incredible talent. Whether you are regular attendee of the opera, or looking for something new to explore, our team highly recommends checking out the latest and greatest that Melbourne Opera has to offer. 

Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia at the Athenaeum Theatre

Run Time: 2.5 hours, including 20-minute intermission

On until Tuesday 6th September  

Tickets from $49 

www.melbourneopera.com

Lucrezia Borgia Credits

Gary Abrahams - Director

Greg Hocking and Raymond Lawrence - Conductors

Helena Dix - Lucrezia Borgia

James Egglestone - Gennaro

Christopher Hillier - Duke Alfonso

Dimity Shepherd - Orsini

and the Melbourne Opera Chorus led by Chorus Master Raymond Lawrence

Photo Credit: Robin Halls

RocKwiz's Really Really Good Friday has reached its seventh year, and remains an absolute treat for fans of the long-running musical quiz show. Hosted by Julia Zemiro, Brian Nankervis, and Dugald, this sold-out annual performance held at Hamer Hall features an impressive line-up of special guests from the music and comedy worlds, and is presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Music Vault in association with Renegade.

The show opens with Brian Nankervis selecting 12 audience members whose wildcards have them compete to be in the show. The competition was fierce, and not even impersonating Mick Jagger was enough to secure a spot in the next round. Once the winners were selected, Chef Nick and Gold Coast gal Michelle take their seats, and the game begins. The RockWiz Orchestra, supported by the Shaky Horns appear onstage, and the musical component of the show commences with a touching cover of Renée Geyer's If Loving You Is Wrong performed by WILSN.

The first half of the show featured special guests including Zimbabwean-Australian singer Thando, rock royalty Chris Cheney, Aussie fave Mark Seymour, and UK comedian Josie Long. In the second half, the team swaps out, with WILSN re-appearing onstage, and Icelandic comedian Ari Eldjárn joining the teams. The musical trivia had something for everyone - keeping the audiences engaged, yelling out and laughing along while the contestants were kept on their toes. With everyone's favourite segments from TV, including Who Can It Be Now, Million Dollar Riff, Misheard Lyrics, and The Furious Five, the show had everything from Yacht Rock to Not-Yacht Rock.

The musical numbers were magical; from Chris Cheney's performance of Roll On, to Mark Seymour singing Holy Grail, and a duet between WILSN and Chris Cheney performing an Amy Winehouse mashup that blew us away. There were lots of special moments, including the bonding between contestant Nick and Chris Cheney, who performed as the support band for Green Day at Nick's first ever concert. From hearing about Easter traditions in Iceland and a chance meeting with Paul McCartney from Ari Eldjárn, to the infectious laughter of Josie Long and her realisation that her favourite pop songs growing up were all about sex, everyone on stage was just so happy to be a part of it all. 

The show concluded with a full audience singalong of Good Lovin by The Rascals, which had everyone on their feet singing and dancing the night away. The show was a fantastic live experience and a perfect blend of music, comedy and trivia. Fans of RocKwiz will undoubtedly continue to enjoy this Good Friday tradition in the coming years. We will see you there! 

To learn more about upcoming events at the Arts Centre, head over to their website here.

Photo credit: Renegade Films

 Despite running for over 70 years on London’s West End, we walked into Melbourne’s opening of "The Mousetrap" relatively blind, ready to enjoy a classic whodunnit which has well and truly stood the test of time.

What followed was a classic performance reminiscent of days gone by. Charming dialogue, classic set design and a central storyline that was both whip-smart and (somewhat surprisingly) funny. 

The play revolves around a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a snowstorm at a remote guesthouse, where they soon discover that a murderer is among them. The tension builds as they try to identify the killer before more lives are taken.

Agatha Christie's writing is renowned for its intricate plotting, and "The Mousetrap" is no exception. The play keeps the audience on their toes, with red herrings, plot twists, and misdirection that will leave even the most astute viewer guessing until the very end.

The characters in the play are well-crafted and diverse, adding to the intrigue and suspense of the story. The themes of trust, suspicion, and deception are explored in depth, as each character's motivations and secrets are gradually revealed.

One of the most impressive aspects of "The Mousetrap" is its longevity. The play has been running continuously since 1952 and has become a cultural icon in its own right. Its success is a testament to the enduring appeal of Agatha Christie's storytelling, as well as the skill of the actors and production team who have kept the show fresh and engaging for over seven decades.

This play is casted perfectly. A balance between Anna O’Byrne’s faultless and classical portrayal of guesthouse owner Mollie Ralston is offset perfectly by the chaotic performance of Laurence Boxhall as Christopher Wren and Gerry Connolly as the mysterious Mr Paravicini.

Overall, "The Mousetrap" is a classic murder mystery that is sure to captivate audiences with its intricate plot, engaging characters, and enduring legacy. It's a must-see for fans of the genre and a testament to Agatha Christie's reputation as one of the greatest mystery writers of all time.

Opening in Melbourne on 20 March, this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic has been a familiar

production, particularly for Australian audiences. The old 1992 revival cast recording

featuring John Farnham Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens can be found stashed in most

parents’ CD collections, probably gathering dust – but for younger audiences it is now time

to experience this rock musical in a fresh new light.

Of Andrew Lloyd Webbers musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the most unique. The

score and signature riffs by the featured electric guitar (prominent on stage) is iconic and the

tempo drives this production forward with great momentum. Make no mistake, this is a

musical for singers. There is little dialogue, and the pressure to perform vocally is great.

Make no doubt about it, the singing in this musical is spectacular. 

Michael Paynter, relatively new to the national musical theatre scene but well known within the Australian music industry is exemplary. His tone, pitch perfect delivery and volume carries this performance, and his stage presence is second-to-none. An utter highlight is Paynter’s rendition of Gethsemane.

Javon King, a New-York based actor who has found a home on Australian stages matches

Paynter’s presence and vocal acrobatics and shines throughout. As Judas, his role is a

complicated one, but to listen to his smooth voice run laps around ALW’s libretto.

As for Mahalia Barnes? Flawless. Her tone seamlessly blends into the performance and

the classic “I don’t know how to Love Him” is a standout.

The set design is simple, a large cross surrounded by some elevated platforms with music

equipment a prominent feature. Wires, speakers and guitars appropriately complimenting

the productions’ grungy, new-age theme. Costumes are similarly minimal. A range of

tracksuits, greys and blacks which allow the swing to effectively move as one unit, with little

focus on the individual. Such choices are appropriate, as it allows the music, and the vocal

performances to shine.

There is one exception to this – when Reuben Kaye’s King Herod enters the stage for his

cameo. In a striking costume, with impressive vocals, Kaye commands attention and laps

up every drop. His comedic timing, thirst for attention and physicality is one of the key

moments in this production and will be remembered long after the final curtain falls.

As far as musicals go, Jesus Christ Superstar is not for everyone. It’s got a very religious

subtext that is perhaps a barrier to entry for some. In reality, this should not dissuade

audience members from buying a ticket to see this show – as it is the performances, the

score and in particular the vocals which truly encapsulate the ethereal experience.

One can only hope that a long-overdue Australian cast recording is created to cement this

cast’s talent for generations to come.

Photo credit: Jeff Busby