Fury, opening Friday 19th April, is a powerful new work by Australian Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. Commissioned by STC and directed by Andrew Upton, Fury puts middle class Australian family life under the microscope – and it isn’t pretty. The façade of a seemingly perfect family falls away as they battle through a series of disasters, exposing the secrets and lies underneath. It has been two years since Honour, Murray-Smith’s last work staged at STC, a family drama that was as witty and bittersweet as it was heartbreaking.     Featuring the formidable Robert Menzies, Sarah Peirse, Geraldine Hakewill and Harry Greenwood in his STC debut, Fury’s stellar cast and crew promises an exciting night of new Australian theatre – get yourself along.     FURY   WHEN: 15 April – 8 June 2013.  8pm.   WHERE: Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.   HOW MUCH: $50-$95     Box Office: 02 9250 1777 or sydneytheatre.com.au     Honey Debelle          

  Artist in residence Sarah Giles (Mariage Blanc) directs the much-loved Helen Thomson and Eamon Farren in George Bernard Shaw's Mrs Warren's Profession.   When Vivie Warren finds out her privileged upbringing has been financed through a profession she fundamentally disagrees with, she's faced with the tough decision: continue to live in ignorance, or face up to reality and get lost in the scary world of financial independence.   This play deals with the eternally spinning issues surrounding this somewhat feminist debate. Although written in 1893, Mrs Warren's Profession was not given a public performance in London until 1925, having been banned for its frank discussion of a taboo topic. Tusk tusk.   Oh well, they're talking about it now. Go check it out, see if you think it really is naughty enough to be banned for thirty years!       Mrs Warrens Profession WHERE: Wharf theatre, Hickson Rd, Sydney Theatre Company; Mon 6.30pm, Tues - Sat 8pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm; Mon 18 Feb 8pm WHEN: Now - 20th july HOW MUCH: Tickets range from $50 - $95 2hrs 15mins (including interval)

    Kate Grenville's gorgeously adapted novel, 'The Secret River' was the first commission Cate Blanchette and Andrew Upton created when they started at the Sydney Theatre Company. Now – after all those years- it's finally come into full fruition opening the Sydney Theatre scene for 2013 with a knock out show. Not to mention, one of the biggest shows STC has even put on (including the size of the cast and scale of the set).   The unmatchable Neil Armfield directed the show. I honestly can't think of anyone who could have told this difficult story with more dignity, humanness and depth. Armfield consistently brings so much light and magic to the stage. It's ever so pleasant to be reminded sometimes why it is we go to the theatre: for magic, for entertainment, but most of all for storytelling. Armfield is undoubtedly one of the wizards of his field.   “The play brings up a lot of hurt. We all know the history, what comes next. The hurt comes from the knowledge that the actions portrayed at the end of the play (although so very long ago) have had a huge domino effect, even to this day.” (Excerpt from the letter composed by Ursula Yovich (Dhirrumbin/ Dulla Djin) to Armfield on accepting her role in The Secret River)   It is obvious this play means a lot not only to the actors who get the (somewhat) luxury of going through the (somewhat) therapeutic reconciliation each night, but how much it means to each and every person in the cast and crew. The sense of duty, care, love and obligation to tell this story with heavy hearts and minds will never go unnoticed.   What a beautiful story. And what an incredible way to express it to the world. Highly recommended. Click here for more DS news on the show.     The Secret River When: Now - February Where: The Sydney Theatre Company, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay How much: $50- $100      Click here for tickets:  http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/what's-on/productions/2013/the-secret-river.aspx    

"I’m not really sure what’s behind this little detour.  I just seem to have fallen into it.  I’ve always enjoyed writing dialogue and I like (and fear) the immediacy of theatre, the way your words live or die in the moment, in the midst of a crowd." Tim Winton   Signs of Life is Tim Winton's second (deliberate) piece of written theatre. In this heartfelt drama centred around grief and loss, Winton again deals with the infamous and never ending themes surrounding the question of human purpose.   Signs of Life tells the story of a recently widowed woman (Georgie) who seems to live on a piece of land surrounded by nothing at all. When her isolation is broken by a nomadic brother and sister. Heather Mitchell delivers a consistent A grade performance playing the role of Georgie, alongside with Aaron Pedersen, George Shevtsov and Pauline Whyman, directed by Kate Cherry.   This is a slow moving tale of belonging that transports us through the magic of the Australian landscape. Though Winton's writing can be at times more poetic than theatrical, it's remains a wonderful piece that will hopefully spark future projects for this wonderful writer.     Signs of Life   When: Mon 6.30pm; Mon 5 Nov 8pm; Tue - Sat 8pm; Wed matinee 1pm; Wed 14 Nov matinee 12.15pm; Sat matinee 2pm   Duration:  1 hour 15 minutes, no interval   Where: Sydney Theatre Company, Hickson Rd. Walsh Bay.      

    "Rather than aim for Cuban museum theatre of a tokenistic, Australian version of the play, our challenge is to create a work that feels like its own, sealed universe."  James Dalton, Director   The Criminals follows the lives of three siblings, trapped in the attic of their house by their oppressive (and obviously psychotic) parents. To pass the time, everyday they play a 'game' in which they plot and rehearse the murder of their parents.   Scary? Honest? A game? ...Or practise?   This show marks James Dalton's directorial debut in Sydney, so with the excitement (and impending pressure) of that news, along with the mega mix of creatives on board for the project; including Dylan Tonkin, Emma Kingsbury and Johnathan Hindsmarsh and exceptional actors: Emily Morrison, David Valencia and Rosana Easton. The Criminals makes for a really entrancing piece of art, let alone theatre. So get yourself down to the Old 505, this production will do far from disappoint.     The Criminals   When: 4 - 21 October Where: Old 505 Theatre, 505/ 342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (basically opposite Central Station - super easy to get to. It's also a really awesome building, so go exploring.)    

    A love triangle with a twist, The Sea Project is currently running at Griffin Theatre. The atmosphere here is getting warmer every time I go. The crowd often beautifully vomits out into the lane way, whilst everyone tries to squish up to the yellow line that your forbidden from taking your wine past.   Incredibly beautifully directed by Paige Rattray (watch this space- she's in rehearsals at the moment for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at NIDA) and stunningly performed by a strong ensemble of actors (Travis Cardona, Justin Cotta, Meredith Penman, Iain Sinclair). Expertly complimenting each other than any group of actors i've seen in sometime now. Special mention to Iain SInclair: welcome back to the stage, we've missed not seeing you up there.   The set is creatively generous, simple and sophisticated. All the music is performed live at the end of the stage by Tom Hogan and occasional supporting vocals by Meredith Penman throughout the dialogue.   Runs for 85mins, no interval. Starts at 7pm. Perfect pre- dinner entertainment.   Get yourself along!   THE SEA PROJECT When: Now - September 29th Where: Griffin Theatre, Darlinghurst (train to Kings Cross stations- see website for more details by clocking on the above link)  

  "Good grief! The Peanuts kids have finally come out of their shells." Time Out, NY.   Award-winning Off-Broadway hit, DOG SEES GOD: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, is an “unauthorised parody” of the cutest comic-strip kids with everyone’s favourite talking dog by Bert V. Royal, best known for teen film Easy A.     Wild, hilarious, raunchy and starkly relevant, DOG SEES GOD is a striking portrait of adolescent debauchery and the seeming inevitability of teenage self-destruction.     Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that's both haunting and hopeful.     DOG SEES GOD   When:  Preview 21 August, 8pm; Season 22 – 26 August Tuesday – Thursday 8pm Friday 7.30pm Saturday – Sunday 2pm and 8pm   Where:  King Street Theatre 644 King St (cnr Bray St), Newtown   Tickets: Bookings www.kingstreettheatre.com.au/tickets/ Adult $27 Concession $22  

    'A Chorus Line' revolutionised Broadway, becoming the longest running musical in history (15 years!)   This show sees the audition process of 17 young hopefuls, as they stand on an empty stage, as they answer questions thrown at them by the producer. With his god- like status, he asks them how old they are, what are their measurements, how many Broadway shows have they done? A scary and far too familiar reality for performers everywhere.     Taken sometimes into the realm of parody, A Chorus Line is on at the Capitol theatre until this Saturday 11th August. Not to be missed marvel!   A CHORUS LINE When: Now - Saturday 11th August, 8pm Where: Capital Theatre, Haymerket  

    When asked to describe his play 'Punk Rock' Simon Stephens said: "It's like The History Boys on crack." ... he wasn't lying.   The Australian premiere of 'Punk Rock' is currently playing at Sydney's ATYP in their theatre under the Wharf. From the production company that brought you 'The Shape of Things' last year, Pantsguys Productions are a serious creative company to keep on eye on.   This show is absolutely exquisite. I haven't been so affected, or moved, or shocked or stunned or propelled by a single piece of theatre in a very, very long time.   Raising important, particularly pressing and relevant questions of today, 'Punk Rock' encourages us all to fforceably reflect on the anxieties we harbour as young adults: where they come from, why they're there, how to solve them. The uneasiness we get when we realise we don't ever want to live our lives a certain way, take certain things for granted and having to accept what we always deemed unacceptable.    Delicately handled and directed by the incomparable Anthony Skuse, this team of actors have put together a show that has been the highlight of the 2012 Sydney Theatre season for me. You'd only be cheating yourself if you didn't get to it.   So do.   Immediately.   Check out the Pantsguys clip of Punk Rock at ATYP on Vimeo   Punk Rock When: Now - 11th August Where: ATYP (Australian Theatre for Young People), under the STC Wharf Theatres  

  For the last 25 years in Australia, Lyn Pierse and Masko Mustac have maintained their regal status amongst improvisers and creatives alike. Not to mention both their long and successful careers outside of this in acting, directing, teaching and writing, both for the stage and TV.   Entering the space, we found ourselves in a 19th century living room, complete with grand piano and velvet upholstered chairs. The characters came onstage,   met,   waited...   then began to play!   Taking the audience on a clever trip into the deeper psychological depths of these two conservative Victorian adults, we found ourselves on an emotional and spiritual roller coaster as the actors further indulged in their increasingly intriguing games. Different to most improvisation performances, there were no audience suggestions and it was not intended to be particularly funny (although it most certainly was). On top of everything else, it was immaculately clever: constantly referencing absurdist, post- modern, Brechtian and Artauian theatre. Sensational.   Quiet Companions was part of a double bill for the New Theatre in Newtown, running for 3 nights only (Wed 25th - Sat 28th July).            

  Griffin Theatre have collaborated with La Boite to present the world premiere of this play, an important piece of new Australian writing not to be missed by the tenacious theatre goer, particularly as this piece is directed by lee Lewis, rumored to be a big part of the theatre landscape in Sydney next year...   In his witty, tongue- in- cheek satire on the modern phenomenon of 'misery memoirs,' Rick Viedel shamelessly comments on contentious issues of our time in his play that won the Griffin Theatre Award last year. Honestly, some moments are a little hit and miss, with slightly weak racial comments alongside stereotypical criticism of deceitful and money hungry professionals.   Currah (Shari Sebbens) gloriously captures the energy and restless spirit of a young aboriginal girl, being taken advantage of by Anthony (Glenn Hazeldine) who convinces her to be the pseudonymous author of a book he's written. A somewhat classical story with a far less predictable twist...   Get yourself along!    

  It's that time of year again! Join NIDA and the Parade Theatres in collaboration with the third year acting students in celebrating an incredible season of comedies.   Rookery Nook: Ben Travers' hilarious 1926 farce. Think The Importance of Being Ernest meets Faulty Towers. Directed by Rodney Fisher in NIDA's main theatre.   Loot: Joe Orton's Ingenious black comedy. There aren't words to describe. Needless to say, I was forced to stuff my scarf in my mouth to stop shrieking with laughter and had tears rolling down my cheeks. Directed by Darren Gilshenan (Winner of Time Out's 2011 Best Actor Theatre Award), Playhouse Theatre, NIDA.   The Illusion: A fantastical and witty adaption of Piere Corneille's 17th century comedy. Directed by Kate Whoriskey at Carriageworks. They end this week! Don't miss out!     NIDA COMEDY SEASON Where: NIDA Parade Theatres and Carriageworks When: Now until Friday 22nd