It was this time last year that I began to get enlivened at the prospect of Neil Armfield directing Ray Lawler's updated version of The Doll. Et voila! Now I can safely say I have seen it and, more importantly, I enjoyed it!Still, I can't help but be conflicted as to whether I truly believe this is a play that continues to be relevant in a modern context (it was first performed in 1955). The underlying messages, yes. The story itself? I'm not so sure... Even though Lawler has revisited the text, I didn't notice many huge divergences between the original- not that this is something that could be done in any heavy handed sort of way- however perhaps an adaption (similar to Benedict Andrews' version of The Seagull, seen on the Belvoir main stage earlier in the season) would be an interesting evolution for the text?Nonetheless, it is a histrionic piece of Australian theatre that the star studded cast rips to shreds- in a good way: Susie Porter, Robyn Nevin, Yael Stone, Steve Le Marquand, TJ Power, Helen Thomson and Dan Wylie. This, hand- in- hand with the stunningly alive set designed by current Belvoir artistic director, Ralph Meyers and Armfield's faultless directing proves for a wonderful production. SUMMER OF THE 17TH DOLLWHEN: 24th September- 13th NovemberWHERE: Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir St Surry HillsEmily Eskellemilyeskell@gmail.com

Fans of Tom Waits are in for a treat this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night at the Vanguard in Newtown. Some of Sydney's best talents are teaming up to take on the back catalogue of one of the world's most loved songwriters.Performing on the night - Jonny Wishbone from the Snowdroppers, Christa Hughes from Machine Gun Fellatio, Holiday Sidewinder from Bridezilla and more .The venue assures us that this isn't a tribute night, rather a celebration of Waits featuring artists from different musical genres coming together to play their own versions of Tom Waits classics. The Music of Tom WaitsThe Vanguard, King St, NewtownTickets: $35 + BF www.thevanguard.com.au/

The Art Gallery of NSW has the advantage of having in their possession an awesome collection of photographs, so they can whip up a brilliant exhibition that can shed a new light on photography without necessarily showcasing new work. What’s in a face is arranged as a timeline, starting from the early 20th century, when portrait photography started to evolve into a means of capturing a person’s inner world rather than merely their external appearance and social standing. Although techniques and methods have changed substantially over time, a commonality among the photographs became clear after a few laps around the room. The photographs are a record of a time and place: a family, an artist’s collective, or a holiday but above all else they are an homage to the subject’s existence both in that moment and their whole life. The photographs are a window into different worlds through the prism of that particular individual. The excellent talent of Man Ray, Max Dupain, Ben Cauchi and all the others reminded me of the beauty and depth of this art form. In a world exploded with soulless selfies, it was most restorative to dwell amongst these works of art.What's in a face? Aspects of portrait photography WHEN: now until 5th FebruaryWHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, The DomainCOST: freeGeorgia Boothgeorgiajbooth@gmail.com

Jump on board the mystery bus for the last weekend of the Fringe Festival!!You'll be taken on the most unpredictable ride of the fringe for 240 minutes of the weird and wonderful, unveiling secrets that you and your fellow commuters will reminisce on for years to come...The bus is fuelled up and more than ready for the grand finale this weekend - it's gunna be big.Mystery Night #6 - Friday 30 SeptemberUnleash your inner beast! For this special XXX Mystery Bus ride we rip of Sydney's sophisticated suit to reveal the corset and garters underneath. It will be a kinky, sexy, erotic exploration you won't be forgetting in a hurry. An educational journey of the Fringe's dirty side, tonight is about discovering handcuffs, whips and some naughty lingerie. Guaranteed to titillate.Mystery Night #7 - Saturday 1 October - the icing on the cake - the GRAND FINALETake a trip back in time to 1920s Sydney prohibition era. Dangerous women control the streets and razor gangs prowl about protecting their shady prospects. Dress in your finest pearls and furs, and loosen your tongue as our favourite underground venue is transformed into a salacious den of immoral vices. Be served bathtub gin by Tilly Devine's cronies while listening to the tunes of the town's hottest swining crooners.Where: Pick up from Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore RoadHow Much: $15 - you can purchase them hereLinks: Mystery Bus BlogMystery Bus FacebookMystery Bus TwitterLiz de Fegely: liz_defegely@hotmail.com

Written by flavourofthemonth Lally Katz, Smashed is directed and conceived by Clare Watson, starring Suzannah McDonald and Katherine Tonkin. Set in a dreamlike world where two best friends are able to travel through time to explore and relive moments from their past. It's a gorgeous play. The writing is a little crazy, but it works! It's only a short show (45 minutes), with some particularly catching sequences. It almost takes you back to the origins of theatre: Grecian storytelling in the active recounting of histories and memories.Overall, I wasn't blown away; I'm not convinced the actors fully understood how to perform the text and its lack of linearity. Though the set and sound beautifully support the text, invigorating the audience with this heightened level of cinematic theatricality.SmashedWhere: Griffin Theatre, Nimrod St, DarlinghurstWhen: Until 1st October (Hurry before it closes!)Emily Eskellemilyeskell@gmail.com

Seduction. Chaos. Dali.This original devised work by a group of Sydney University students has been selected as a part of the 2011 Sydney Fringe Festival. The premise of this play centres around the story of a young girl who is intrigued and challenged by the work of Salvadore Dali. This in turn encourages her to change and confront her own world and the way in which she sees it. C'mon guys, support independent theatre! Make sure you check it out before it closes!THE RESTORATION OF GIRL WITH CURLSWhen: 26th September - 1st OctoberWhere: Tap Gallery, DarlinghurstEmily Eskellemilyeskell@gmail.com

As part of the Crave International Food Festival, night markets are being held at Taylor Square.Featuring food markets, art installations and music, "Eat and Meet" at Taylor Square is free and open for business from 5:00pm - 9:00pm every Thursday in October.Eat and Meet kicks off next Thursday the 6th of October at Taylor Square with live performances from Nikki Thorburn, Fanny Lumsden and live visuals and sound curated by Punk Monk Propaganda.WHAT: Eat & Meet @ Taylor Square, Darlinghurst WHEN: Thursdays 5pm - 9pm, October 6, 13, 20 & 27

Green Fairy, the original Czech Absinthe label, is hosting a masterclass on this most misunderstood beverage at 5 Eliza, the Sydney Fringe Festival Bar.Tickets are selling quick, but there's still a clutch available for the final session this Saturday October 1st.Prepare for a night of bohemian stories and tipples at Sydney's own, temporary slice of jazz decadence. Just remember, the green fairy often lies...WHAT: Green Fairy Presents Absinthe Masterclass WHERE: 5 Eliza - Fringe Club, 5 Eliza Street (behind the Zanzibar Hotel)HOW MUCH: $20TICKETS: http://thesydneyfringe.com.au/shows/absinth-5-eliza

The Bondi Short Film Festival is celebrating 11 years this November - ten years down, it is one of Australia's premiere short-film events and a must-attend for any fan of experimental film. Tickets go on sale this Thursday for the 7:30pm session on November 26th, so head to www.moshtix.com.au to grab a couple before they sell out.The programme hasn't been announced yet, but if you fancy yourself an inspiring film-maker of the abbreviated sort, head to www.bondishortfilmfestival.com to find out how you can submit your own work for inclusion in this year's event.WHAT: 11th annual Bondi Short Film Festival on sale!WHEN: Saturday, November 26th 2011WHERE: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi BeachTICKETS: Moshtix - www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849COST: $33 + booking fee

Join tornado chasers Sean Casey and the researchers of 'Vortex 2' in their wild and wonderful search for the perfect footage of inside a tornado. The cinematography is pretty incredible. I know IMAX is expensive, but this is a pretty cool doco (and it only goes for 45 mins): perfect pre- dinner time killer? Yes.Tornado Alley 3DWhen: 29th September- 12th OctoberWhere: IMAX, Darling HarbourEmily Eskellemilyeskell@gmail.com

The beautiful weather and longer days that are making Sydney buzz this week only means one thing: more time to spend checking out the wonderful shows that are on as part of this years Fringe Festival. It's cheap and you're guaranteed a good night. What is there to loose?Last night, I went to see a stand up gig created by Cyrus Bezyan, who is quickly becoming popular around trendy Sydney comedy circles. He has performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, is a regular feature with the comedy group Project 52 and this year, was a NSW Triple J Raw finalist.His show for the Sydney Fringe is centred around his enjoyment of being "conscious" (as opposed to asleep). Visual aids help the progression of the story. Hey, even Barrack Obama is featured. If you're as lucky as me, you'll have a crazy woman sitting in front of you laughing loudly at inappropriate moments. Needless to say- without or without the crazy lady- Cyrus will keep you laughing.Gets yourself along! He's on again tonight and tomorrow.Click here for more Sydney Fringe events.CYRUS BEZYAN: I LIKE BEING CONSCIOUSWhen: 21-24th SeptemberWhere: Factory Theatre, MarrickvilleEmily Eskellemilyeskell@gmail.com

FROM THE HEART OF THE FOREST TO THE EDGE OF THE ROADIt's the end and beginning of an exciting era for the cultural curiosity journal, Ampersand Magazine, - their fourth edition is out now, bringing them round about to officially become a quarterly mag. Now I hope that we may look forward to their colourful pages arriving with each new season...This journal, a handy pocket-sized package bursting at its colourful seams with glossy photos, poetry, critiques, cartoons, fiction and more, sidesteps the mainstream in favour of the uncut, unfashionable and unpredictable. Here's a sneaky preview...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A5muYIFu5E&feature=player_detailpageThis edition delves into remoteness; exploring the desolation and emptiness, but also the opportunities and escapism that lie beyond the suburbs.A huge huge success for the brainchild of editor, Alice Gage, this issue brings together a massive creative line up of contributors including (to name drop a few) Tracy Moffatt, Bob Brown, Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint's drummer), playwright Tommy Murphy, Fabian Muir, poet John Forbes, Craig Reynolds and My Darling Patricia. Within the pages are a whole bunch of pieces old and new, a mesh of words and images, hilarious, disturbing and hiding a great big melting pot of things that you'd never even thought about.Launched in the ballroom of the National Library of NSW on Tuesday night, the room was brimming with many an individual of Sydney's creative underworld and bursting with good food, wine, images and stories.An impressive culmination of the first full quarterly and an exciting taste of, hopefully, more to come... when's that summer edition due folks?Ampersand Magazine (Spring 2011), $10 from these stockists.http://www.ampersandmagazine.com.au/Liz de Fegely: liz_defegely@hotmail.com