Review: Daniil Trifonov performs Rachmaninov – A Night of Passion and PowerReview

Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg Last night at the Sydney Opera House, the audience was treated to an electrifying performance that truly embodied passion and power. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, under the masterful baton of Asher Fisch, delivered a program that transported listeners through a spectrum of emotions – from ethereal […]

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Review: Saints of Damour

Saturday 22 March 2025 Loading Dock Theatre Qtopia James Elazzi is one of Australia’s freshest theatrical voices and his new play, Saints of Damour firmly cements his place as a – I want to say great but maybe it’s too early for that – let’s say formidable Australian playwright. His ability to mine the emotional […]

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Review: Guys & Dolls at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg Attending the premiere of Guys & Dolls on March 21 at the Fleet Steps, with the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, was an experience that seamlessly blended the magic of Broadway with the enchantment of Sydney’s harbor. This production, presented by Opera Australia, transformed the open-air […]

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Review: Cinderella at the Sydney Opera House

Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg Stepping into the Sydney Opera House for Laurent Pelly’s production of Cinderella, presented by Opera Australia, felt like entering a whimsical fairytale. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and with a cast featuring some of Australia’s finest opera talents, expectations were high. Over the course of the evening, audiences were treated […]

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Review: MJ the Musical – A Riveting Tribute

Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg Sydney Lyric Theatre Attending MJ the Musical in Sydney was an unforgettable experience. The show seamlessly intertwined the personal story of Michael Jackson’s rise, struggles, and complex family dynamics with the magic of his music. As I sat in the vibrant, electric atmosphere of the theater, it was clear that every […]

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Review: James Ehnes performs Brahms’ Violin Concerto

Thursday 6 March 2025 Sydney Symphony Orchestra Sydney Opera House London born conductor, Finnegan Downie Dear lead the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in tonight’s program of Ravel and Brahms. A one-time assistant to Simone Young, his tall lean frame leant itself to garnering a wide range of emotions and nuances from the musicians. And as SSO […]

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Review: SSO Elgar & Vaughan Williams

Friday, 28 February, 2025. Sydney Opera House. Sydney Symphony Orchestra.  Andrew Haveron (violin) It’s been a while since I’ve heard Carl Vine’s music in the concert hall. He’s been sorely missed since he relinquished the role of artistic Director at Musica Viva Australia, and now that he’s not busy running one of the world’s largest […]

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Review: Song of First Desire

Saturday 1 March 2025 Belvoir St Upstairs “Those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it.” George Santayana  These famous words, fittingly penned by Madrid-born Spanish-American philosopher, Santayana, are at the crux of this riveting, powerful real life drama. In Song of First Desire we are thrown head-long into the Spanish Civil War. We […]

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Review: Candlelight Concert: A Magical Evening of Hans Zimmer’s Music in Sydney

Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg This past Saturday, Sydney was treated to an extraordinary evening of music as Fever’s Candlelight Concert series brought the iconic compositions of Hans Zimmer to life. Set against the intimate and atmospheric backdrop of a candlelit venue, this concert was a mesmerizing journey through some of Zimmer’s most beloved film scores. […]

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Review: “Turpentine” – A Gothic Thriller That Stuns and Overwhelms

Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg “Turpentine” is a bold and unsettling new gothic play that grips its audience with an intoxicating blend of horror, dark humor, and psychological intensity. Written by Tommy James Green, who also stars as the tormented Dr. Raymond Crow, this eerie production marks the debut of Popular Playhouse at Flight Path Theatre, running […]

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Review: Hadestown: A Captivating Journey Into the Underworld at the Theatre Royal

Reviewed by Samantha Rumery and Anna-Celine Rautenberg Hadestown is a truly magical theatrical experience that will stay with us for a long time. From the very first notes, we were swept away, and it was clear that this production was something extraordinary. We were lucky enough to attend the Australian premiere at Theatre Royal Sydney, and […]

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Review: Rolling the Dice for Fun: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern’ at Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House Studio Reviewed by Anna-Celine Rautenberg Stepping into the Studio at the Sydney Opera House for Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern felt like stepping into another dimension – one where the boundaries between audience and performers blurred, and chaos reigned supreme (in the best way possible). For those unfamiliar, The Twenty-Sided Tavern is an interactive theatre […]

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