Leonard Cohen Lives On In ‘noir’ Tour – Melbourne 26 Sept, Perth 10 Oct

Feature-COHEN NOIR

Celebrating the music, words and wisdom of Leonard Cohen
Sat 26 September 7.30pm – Melbourne Recital Centre
Sat 10 October 7.30pm – Astor Theatre, Mt Lawley, Perth

“An experience like no other… an utterly extraordinary and uplifting night of music!” – Glenn A. Baker

Rediscover Leonard Cohen
To mark ten years since the passing of Leonard Cohen, Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert brings their acclaimed production COHEN NOIR to Melbourne and Perth, honouring one of the world’s greatest songwriters through a richly textured evening of music, poetry and storytelling.

Some songs become part of who we are. They accompany us through life’s different seasons, revealing new meanings as we change. Leonard Cohen’s songs are among those rare companions, filled with beauty, longing, tenderness and extraordinary insight into what it means to be human.

Created and performed by Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert, COHEN NOIR is a rare invitation into that remarkable world.

Over the past 20 years, COHEN NOIR has evolved into one of Australia’s most acclaimed live music experiences, earning standing ovations and sold out performances at the Sydney Opera House, State Theatre, City Recital Hall and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Audiences return not simply to hear these timeless songs again, but to discover something new within them.

“Cohen Noir is brilliant… a confronting, mortifying, exultant celebration of the business of being human.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

An exceptional ensemble of musicians and guest artists explores Cohen’s songs, poetry and prose with imagination, sensitivity and masterful musicianship.
Drawing on jazz, tango, Latin, folk, klezmer and cinematic orchestration, the music reveals new colours and perspectives while remaining faithful to the emotional heart of the songs.

Cohen’s own recorded voice, poetry and humour weave gently through the performance, drawing audiences into the world behind the songs and revealing the wisdom, humanity and quiet grace that resonate so deeply.

For these exclusive Melbourne and Perth performances, Monsieur Camembert is joined by iOTA (Perth), Diana Rouvas, Lyn Bowtell, Susie Bishop, Timothy James Bowen (Melbourne), Daniel Weltlinger and the remarkable Bukhu, whose haunting Mongolian throat singing and horse-hair fiddle add another unforgettable voice to this rich musical landscape.

“Spirited, musically assured, eclectic and downright fun.” – Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National

More than a tribute concert, COHEN NOIR invites audiences to encounter Leonard Cohen’s work anew, discovering fresh colours, deeper meanings and the timeless humanity that continues to resonate a decade after his passing.

“Monsieur Camembert does justice to the emotional, lyrical and melodic intent of the songs while adding a new dimension.” – Tony Hillier, The Weekend Australian

Tickets and information: www.cohen-noir.com

 

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Proof Of Concept

Feature-PROOF OF CONCEPT

PROOF OF CONCEPT is a 60min production presenting two new works-in-progress that tackle themes of mental health, women’s health, society standards, expression/suppression, and the intricacies of our bureaucratic medical system.

RAGEFUL, created by Venezuelan-Australian theatre maker Rebecca Perich, is a dystopian short play set in a world where women are being diagnosed with RAGE and forbidden to work until they’ve learned to manage their anger. The play follows the story of “A”, a young woman who is diagnosed with RAGE, and referred to RAGEFUL – a wellness center for angry women. Soon “A” will find that things are not exactly how it seems.

OCD-Disco, created by Greek-born Australian-based theatre maker Yakinthi, is an absurd short play that follows the story of two strangers with OCD who attend a party. Convinced by their disorder that something bad is going to happen, they follow their compulsion as a means to prevent a catastrophe.

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“PROOF OF CONCEPT” is a writers’ group for playwrights and theatre makers based in Naarm/Melbourne. Founded by Rebecca Perich, Yakinthi, and Maggie Vali, the group was established in November 2025. Since then, the writers have been conceptualizing and developing new theatre works. They will be presented in a showcase of works-in-progress under the same title: PROOF OF CONCEPT (the production). While this is the first iteration of the project, the writers’ group aims to repeat the process with new artists for 2026/2027.

PROOF OF CONCEPT (a double bill)
SHORT PLAY 1: RAGEFUL by Rebecca Perich
SHORT PLAY 2: OCD-Disco by Yakinthi
Performed by: Rebecca Perich, Yaknthi, Maggie Vali.
Venue: The Motley Bauhaus (Carlton)
Running time: 60 min
Dates:
Tue 11 Aug – 7.10pm
Wed 12 Aug – 7.10pm
Thu 13 Aug – 7.10pm
Fri 14 Aug – 7.10pm

To book tickets: Eventfinda

 

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Four World Premiere Works In New Now With Omega Ensemble | Friday 14 August 7pm | Aco On The Pier

Feature-New Now 2026

Omega Ensemble is thrilled to present New Now 2026 at Sydney’s Walsh Bay Art’s Precinct on Friday 14th August. A showcase of boundless creativity and bold new directions, New Now celebrates the next wave of Australian musical voices.

Born out of Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB program, New Now 2026 features a program of four world premiere works by some of Australia’s most exciting new musical voices, Jessie Leov (NSW/NZ), Robert McIntyre (VIC), Thomas Misson (TAS) and Beth Roche (NSW), four composers whose distinctive voices reflect the diversity, curiosity and ambition shaping the future of Australian music.

Jessie Leov’s ‘A Map to Nowhere’ focuses on the environmental challenges facing us all, creating a world which navigates the sensory experience of a forest through the eyes of a child. This new piece marks Jessie’s first time writing for a combination of clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano.

Robert McIntyre’s work ‘Solastalgia’ also focuses on the environment and climate change, exploring how nostalgia for the natural world transforms into solastalgia: a feeling of homesickness experienced while still at home. Robert’s previous song-cycle ‘Our Duty to Care’ also covered the topic of climate justice and earnt him the Dorian Le Gallienne Composition Award in 2023.

Thomas Misson will take audiences on a unique, sensory journey in ‘Cicerone Suite’, a musical pairing for four types of beer, creating a playful exploration on the shared “bitterness” of contemporary music and brewing, and the self-discovery inherit in trusting your senses.

In Beth Roche’s ‘The Lambton Worm’, she reimagines a 14th century legend from North-East England, detailing the battle between John Lambton and a giant worm, capturing the duality between the naivety of young Lambton and the sinister, deceptive nature of the worm.

Omega Ensemble’s Artistic Director David Rowden said, “New Now is easily one of my highlights of the year. The program is always fresh and exciting, and this year is no different with one piece influenced by craft beer and another by far off lands. Each composer we’re working with this year is bringing their own distinctive, adventurous voice, reflecting the depth, diversity and ambition of the next generation of Australian music.”

Launched in 2021, CoLAB has rapidly become one of Australia’s leading professional development programs for fresh compositional talent, offering direct collaboration with world-class musicians and composer mentors. The 2026 edition continues the series’ commitment to championing bold musical thinking and new chamber music compositions.

Celebrated composer and CoLAB mentor, Holly Harrison, describes the initiative as “one of the greatest gifts any performing organisation has devised. CoLAB was driven by an unwavering commitment by the Omega Ensemble to advance the future of Australian musical creativity.”

Now in its sixth year, and with previous showcases selling out, New Now has quickly become an annual meeting ground where artists, industry and audiences alike come together to experience and celebrate the music and voices shaping tomorrow.

New Now plays for one show only this August – 90 minutes, no interval with tickets priced at only $49.00 – this is the perfect night out on the Harbour.

For more information and tickets, please visit: https://www.omegaensemble.com.au/new-now-2026

PROGRAM
Jessie Leov a map to nowhere
Robert McIntyre Solastalgia
Thomas Misson Cicerone Suite
Beth Roche The Lambton Worm

ARTISTS
Omega Ensemble

NEW NOW 2026
Friday 14th August, 2026, 7pm
ACO on the Pier
Tickets: $49 Concession $39 / Under 30 $34

 

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Cast Announced For How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying At Hayes Theatre

How To Succeed In Business

The multiple award-winning producer LPD Productions is delighted to announce the cast for its upcoming production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, opening at the Hayes Theatre on 28 August. Tickets are on sale now at hayestheatre.com.au.

Award-winning director Cameron Mitchell reunites the leading men from his production of Catch Me If You Can. Leading the company is Jake Speer as the ambitious and resourceful J. Pierrepont Finch, opposite Simon Burke as company president J.B. Biggley. They are joined by Georgia Laga’aia as Rosemary Pilkington and Lucy Lalor as Hedy LaRue.

Supporting cast includes Wayne Scott Kermond (Mr. Twimble/Mr. Womper), Max Macdonald (Budd Frump), Stacey Thomsett (Smitty), Noni McCallum (Miss Jones), Kaeng Chan (Mr. Bratt), Madeline Pratt (Miss Krumholtz), Taye Grant (Mr. Overington), and Zachary Webster (Mr. Gatch; also Assistant Choreographer). Ensemble members are Katie Green, Kye Hall and Kristina McNamara (also Assistant Director).

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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch from window washer to executive and features classic songs including I Believe in You, Brotherhood of Man and The Company Way. Score by Frank Loesser; book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert.

Creative team: Producer LPD Productions; Director and Choreographer Cameron Mitchell; Musical Supervisor Damon Wade; Musical Director Kimberley Gilbert; Set Designer Domonic Foffani; Costume Designer Christine Mutton; Lighting Designer Peter Rubie; Associate Producer Kelsi Boyden; Assistant Director Kristina McNamara; Assistant Choreographer Zachary Webster.

Season details: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point. Season runs 28 August to 27 September. Times: Wed–Sat 7.30pm; Thurs 1pm; Sat 1.30pm; Sun 2pm. Prices: Previews from $75; In season Adult from $84; Concession from $75. Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au | (02) 8065 7337.

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