Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉 - Whats The Show

Tuấn’s Party – A Look at Friendship and Politics

05/08/2025 Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉

Tuấn’s Party Rating

★★★★★

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Set during the 2022 federal election, Tuấn’s Party explores the unexpected win of independent Dai Le in Fowler. This smart and emotional play looks at the personal and political tensions hidden beneath a simple housewarming.

Directed by Neda Taha, the play follows newlyweds Tuấn (Terence Nguyen) and Natalia (Sarah Gattellari) as they host their first post-pandemic dinner party in St John’s Park. Their guests — childhood friend Kevin (Nathan Niguidula), fresh off the campaign trail for Kristina Keneally, and his girlfriend Nadine (Charnel Rizk) arrive just as the electorate begins to erupt with shock and celebration.

What begins as a regular night of chatting and discussing politics soon changes. It becomes a deeper exploration of identity, class, cultural expectations, and the fragility of friendship. Skeletons emerge from closets, conversations get heated.

Each performance was compelling and engaging. Nguyenn brings vulnerability as Tuấn, while Gattellari shines as Natalia. Niguidula captures Kevin’s earnest political idealism with humour and depth, and Rizk’s Nadine delivers a slow-burn performance that builds to an unforgettable climax. Olivia Xegas makes a short but sharp appearance as Kristina. She highlights the absurdity of political optics in a so-called “safe seat.”

While the script — co-written by Kobra Sayyadi and Bina Bhattacharya with the cast — is rich in humour and naturalistic dialogue, it doesn’t shy away from hard truths. Questions of authenticity, tokenism, migration, and loyalty are raised without easy resolution. The play takes inspiration from Don’s Party. However, it tells the story in a new way, focusing on Western Sydney.

Staged simply but effectively at PYT Fairfield, the set reflects a real home in transition — not quite polished, slightly chaotic, and full of history. It’s a fitting metaphor for the characters and the community they represent.

Tuan’s Party is more than just a night of drama — it’s a mirror to a region often misunderstood and misrepresented. It’s uncomfortable in all the right ways, and essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand what’s really at stake in Australian politics and personal identity today.

To book tickets to Tuấn’s Party , please visit https://pyt.com.au/tuansparty/.

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Australian Museum Presents: Machu Picchu And The Golden Empires Of Peru

04/04/202524/11/2024 Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru Rating

★★★★★

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The ‘Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru’ exhibition at the Australian Museum is now open, allowing visitors to explore the legendary Machu Picchu and learn more about the history of the Andean people. Going in with no specific expectations, I feel as if I left with a deeper fascination of the ancient Peruvian culture and history.

The experience began with a short introductory video, setting the tone for the journey ahead. Clever use of lighting and sound effects helps maintain a reverent atmosphere throughout, immersing visitors in the story being told. The exhibit’s layout is easy to follow, particularly the story of a mythical man’s journey during life and the afterlife.

With over 130 artefacts, there’s something intriguing to discover at every turn. The accompanying descriptions were detailed yet accessible, offering insights into the cultural significance of each piece. For an additional fee, viewers can enhance their experience by exploring Machu Picchu through a virtual reality tour. The exhibition also caters to a diverse audience, offering sensory-friendly early bird sessions for visitors seeking a more relaxed environment.

While the exhibition is shorter than expected to walk through, it delivers a rich experience that captures the mysteries of ancient Peru. The preservation of artifacts stands out, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Andean people. Taking your time to explore each corner is essential to fully appreciate the depth of the collection.

One minor drawback for me was the feeling of wanting more. Although the exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into Peruvian society, I would’ve also enjoyed additional artifacts or narratives. However, the Australian Museum’s broader collections offer plenty more to explore after the exhibition.

Overall, the ‘Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru’ exhibition offers a captivating and educational journey into Ancient Peru. It’s a must-see for history enthusiasts and casual museum-goers, leaving a lasting impression of one of the world’s most remarkable civilisations.

To book tickets to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru’, please visit https://australian.museum/exhibition/machu-picchu/

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Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉

The Ghost Train: All Aboard The Supernatural Express

04/04/202526/09/2024 Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉

The Ghost Train Rating

★★★★★

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To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Castle Hill Pavilion Theatre, the theatre company performed an adaption of The Ghost Train, written by Arnold Riley. The classic thriller opened on the 20th of September to a full house ready for some suspense and humour.

The Ghost Train is set in an old train station, where a group of stranded passengers face a night of eerie happenings as they await the arrival of a supposedly haunted train. Directed by Stephen Snars, the production evokes a gothic atmosphere, keeping us on the edge of our seats. The mystery of the ghost train creeps in at just the right moments.

The ensemble cast excels in portraying a diverse group of travellers – each with its own quirks. Each actor excels at commanding the stage without overpowering the other. Their interactions feel authentic as they explore the possibility of a ghost story being real. A standout performance comes from Paul Sztelma playing Teddie Deakin, the seemingly carefree prankster who adds most of the necessary humour to the play. His blend of charisma and comic timing kept a sense of unpredictability, keeping the audience and characters wondering about his true nature.

The creaky old station, with its dim lighting, helps set the stage for this spooky tale. There were times when I forgot the design was a stage and not the night sky. The clever use of sound design—clattering trains in the distance, spooky sounds, and unsettling silences—further amplify the ghostly atmosphere. The costumes of the characters help set the time period of the play.

A primary theme of The Ghost Train is the fear of the unknown and how fear can make our minds play tricks on us. The play explores how superstition can create an atmosphere that can make the most sceptical of people believe they heard or saw something supernatural. As identities and intentions are revealed, the play touches on how appearances can be misleading.

The chilling moments and the humour kept the audience engaged, as you could hear the laughs and shocks from audience members. The play was well-paced, keeping us entertained the whole time through its use of suspense.

The play is much more than a ghost story and balances chilling moments with unexpected humour. The plot twist delivers a satisfying conclusion to The Ghost Train. We left the theatre, remembering that even old-fashioned ghost stories can still provide us a good scare. The Ghost Train was an excellent choice to help celebrate 70 years of Castle Hill Pavilion, offering thrills and plenty of laughs along the way. If you are up for a spook, watch The Ghost Train, playing from now until October 12.

Book your tickets @ https://paviliontheatre.org.au/theghosttrain/

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Ghostlight: Heartwarming With A Dash Of Shakespeare

04/04/202514/09/2024 Rebecca Yeo🥉🦉

Ghostlight Rating

★★★★★

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Ghostlight is a heartwarming film that blends comedy and drama through its exploration of grief and healing. This film is an excellent look into how a family may come together (or not) after an unexpected tragedy.

Directed by Kerry O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, Ghostlight tells the story of Dan (Keith Kupferer), a construction worker who finds solace and purpose in a local theatre’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” after drifting apart from his wife Sharon (Tara Mallen) and daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) due to a personal tragedy.

The film’s strength lies in its authentic portrayal of a family grappling with loss. What helps to achieve this authentic portrayal is that the three main characters are a family in real life. Kupferer delivers a standout performance as Dan, who provides a heart-wrenching and uplifting journey of a construction worker dealing with the loss of a Shakespearean actor. The supporting cast, including Dolly De Leon as Rita, adds to the story, making the characters’ struggles and triumphs feel real and relatable.

Another strong strength of Ghostlight is its storytelling and the character development of the family. The storytelling kept the pace of the film going as you watch these characters grieve and grow together to become the tight-knit family they once appeared to be.

There are only minor quibbles in the film as Dan struggles to overcome his own grief and blame. The narrative is beautifully put together and evokes genuine emotion. Some of the most memorable shots happen during the theatre scenes.

Ghostlight is not just a film about grief; it’s about the healing journey and how you can find companionship and comfort in the most unlikely of places. The community theatre setting provides a perfect backdrop for the characters to confront their pain. The film depicts the unpredictability of life and how creativity can help deal with any obstacles.

Without giving too much away there were two scenes that struck much emotion; the first being Dans breakthrough about the personal tragedy and the performance of Romeo and Juliet. Overall, Ghostlight is a touching film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The great storytelling and powerful performances make this a standout film worth the watch.

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