Get ready for an unforgettable school holiday experience as Cirque Nouvelle returns to Queensland for a strictly limited season, bringing its visually spectacular and high-energy contemporary circus to Brisbane (Friday June 26) and the Gold Coast (Saturday June 27). Following sell-out performances across Australia, this internationally acclaimed production features an elite ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancing artists, delivering a thrilling fusion of physical artistry, theatrical storytelling and modern stagecraft.
At the heart of the show is a charismatic and quirky ringmaster confronting a universal theme: change. Blending humour, heart and breathtaking skill, Cirque Nouvelle explores the evolution of circus—from the nostalgic wonder of the traditional Big Top to the bold, technology-driven spectacles of today.
Audiences are taken on a visually rich and emotionally engaging journey that honours circus traditions while reimagining what the future of the art form can be. Perfect for families these school holidays, Cirque Nouvelle promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its blend of daring feats, storytelling and theatrical magic. A new evolution of circus has arrived. Book now!
“Elevated by on-point storytelling, Cirque Nouvelle is a celebration of everything circus, highlighting its humble beginnings and showcasing what the future may hold as a sleek, theatrical spectacle for all.”
The Bubbles Festival Melbourne: A celebration of all things sparkling!
Natalie Pickett founded The Bubbles Review 10 years ago, when her first blog educated those who thought Moet was spoken like the end of the word, “ballet”, with a silent T, when really, it’s pronounced “Mo-wett.” Natalie should know. When working as a tour guide in Europe, on a guided trip to Moët et Chandon, she confirmed this exact fact.
Natalie’s ‘Bubbles Reviewers’ Club’ offers members monthly rewards, tasting technique masterclasses and more discoveries and invitations via www.thebubblesreview.com
I met some of her club members on Saturday, 2nd May, for Bubbles Festival Melbourne, at River’s Edge Events in the World Trades Centre – in a room with a stunning view of the Skyline Wheel and Polly Woodside. Holding our complimentary Riedel sparkling glasses (included in our tickets), we were all thirsty to begin when Natalie welcomed our group and spoke about some important terms to remember before sampling the bubbles on offer. She reminded everyone to hold their glass by the stem, as best to view the bubbles in the middle. We were advised to enjoy the experience of each sparkling with each of our five senses; even holding the glass to our ears – as though listening to a seashell on the beach – and to take in the scent with our noses, as far as they’ll go into the glass before tasting.
“Bubbles – Just like a hug in a glass” and “ABC = Always Bring Champagne” slogans called to us from TV screens around the room. After this, we would visit all the Exhibitor tables to indulge in the exquisite selection.
In between tastings, we were served trays of various Canapés – including Truffle and Mushroom Arancini. We also indulged in a succulent seafood station and a cheese station – perfect bubbly food companions.
Ian was the friendly host from Clover Hill. He poured my first tasting with CLOVER HILL TASMANIA EXCEPTIONELLE MULTI-VINTAGE, (59% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier) – a light straw/green hue in the glass, vibrant citrus and stone fruits on the nose and crisp acidity on the palette.
My second tasting was the CLOVER HILL TASMANIA ROSÉ MULTI-VINTAGE (66% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier) with fresh vibrant strawberry notes upfront on the nose. The palate was layered and creamy with red forest fruits, to a balanced, long finish. This one was sweeter than the first and a little too perfumed for my taste – still a lovely sparkling.
My third taste was the CLOVER HILL BLANC DE BLANCS MULTI-VINTAGE – Tasmania with 100% Chardonnay. This one reminded me a tad of the lovely Billiecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV from France. It too, is characterized by aromas of citrus, white peach, and brioche with a creamy texture.
Tasmanian cool-climate sparkling wines are dominating at the moment, having taken out all the trophies at the 2025 Australian Sparkling Wine Show and Clover Hill is no exception, having been recognised by The Real Review as one of the best producers in the country. They are consistently ranked among Australia’s top producers with a 5-star Halliday rating.
Ian had a fourth offer in CLOVER HILL ROSÉ D’ASSEMBLAGE MULTI-VINTAGE (63% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Meunier), which I didn’t get to sample as I felt drawn to the French table while there was a lull in the crowd.
I met Jean Paul at the Philippe Fourrier table for a quick chat. Since 1847, this family Champagne house located in Baroville, is anchored in an exceptional terroir, the Côte des Bar, in the south of Champagne appellation area.
JP’s first French pour was the CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – ROSÉ DE SAIGNÉE (NV) (90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay) with a light red to deep rosé hue and orange reflections, its fine and persistent bubbles adding elegance in the glass. The nose opened with ripe raspberry and fresh red berry aromas.
JP’s second French pour was LOUIS PERDRIER FRENCH BRUT (NV) – Bordeaux – France (100% Chardonnay), an exceptional French Sparkling. Deliciously toasty notes melt into the scent of golden apples. Gentle and harmonious on the palate with some richness tempering the citrus finish. For me, this was the best sparkling of the day.
The third French pour was CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – PINOT MEUNIER BRUT (NV) – Champagne, France (100% Pinot Meunier), with a beautiful pale-yellow hue and fine bubbles bright in the glass. The nose offered fresh red fruit aromas of subtle blackberry, hints of peach and plum. This one seemed a tad light to me after the Brut.
Lastly, I met Kathy at the Sutherland Estate stand – a small, second-generation family-owned enterprise located at a picturesque location in Dixon’s Creek, a mountainous area, past Yarra Glen in the Yarra Valley. Her first pour was SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2021 BLANC DE BLANC SPARKLING – Yarra Valley (100% Chardonnay). Made from 100% Chardonnay in the Méthode Traditionelle, with secondary fermentation and ageing in the bottle.
Kathy’s second pour was her SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2023 SPARKLING TEMPRANILLO (100% Tempranillo.). This renowned sparkling red is unique because we don’t often see a Tempranillo here in Australia. Sutherland have been making it for more than 12 years, and it’s all grown onsite. It has spent twelve months in seasoned barriques before undergoing secondary fermentation on lees in the bottle made Méthode Traditionelle, having a powerful burst of mid-palate fruit of berries, dark cherries, a bit of liquorice, with peppery spice and earthy undertones to finish. The palate is medium-bodied and well structured, with fine tannins and a persistent bead. A great match with cheese and charcuterie. It had the power of a sparkling Shiraz and I’m keen to visit their Cellar Door for more.
I tried the SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2025 SPARKLING ROSÉ (with 100% hand-picked Pinot Noir). Whole bunches of Pinot are harvested from the vineyard and come into the winery and straight into the press immediately leading to the gorgeous pale salmon colour. The aromas are bright and enticing with rose petal, strawberry and perfume. On the palate were strawberries and cream. A delightful summer’s drink, but for the last glass of the day, I had to return for one last taste of the Sparkling Temperanillo.
Illustrator, Susan Kerian, who some recognised from her work with retailer, ‘Blue Illusion’, returned to showcase her original illustrations – perfect for ‘Emily In Paris’ fans and Francophiles.
All sparkling wines and Susan’s artwork could be purchased on the day so, I happily departed with my order for delivery of four of the LOUIS PERDRIER FRENCH BRUT (NV) from Bordeaux, two of the CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – PINOT MEUNIER BRUT (NV) – from Champagne in France and six of the SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2023 SPARKLING TEMPRANILLO from the Yarra Valley, because according to F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
All of the exhibitors offered great deals for purchasing on the day. I’ve never understood why tastings sometimes don’t allow that, but at Bubbles Festival, you could take the wine with you on the day, or get it delivered later, which was ideal. $5 from each ticket went to the Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda. Natalie chooses a different charity to donate to in each of her state’s events.
It was a sunny 25degree day in Melbourne and I tasted some new and exciting Sparklings and Champagnes, met like-minded and vivacious souls, feeling the fresh bubble of life, therefore, I thoroughly recommend attending the Bubbles Festival.
Here are the other states’ Bubbles Festivals, coming soon:
Brisbane – 9 May 2026 – Get your tickets here! Sydney – 22 & 23 May 2026 – Get your tickets here! Adelaide – 6 June 2026 – Get your tickets here! Perth – 20 June 2026 (TBC) – Join waitlist here!
Just in time for Mother’s Day, new seats for the much-loved hit Broadway musical ANASTASIA, which premieres in Brisbane in September, go on sale this week. Tickets for performances from 7 – 18 October can be purchased by those who have signed up to the waitlist through the ANASTASIA website today (Tuesday 5 May) and to the general public on Friday 8 May from 10am. The Sydney Morning Herald declared that ”the Australian incarnation of this international phenomenon is hard to fault” and that it is “Frozen, Les Mis and Ragtime, all in one” while the Sunday Telegraph declared it “lavish, theatrical and dropping in old-world glamour” and The Plus Ones said that ANASTASIA is “lavish musical theatre at its finest: rich, romantic and gloriously performed”.
The cast for this charming modern fairytale and much-loved musical includes Georgina Hopson as Anya, Robert Tripolino as the charismatic con artist Dmitry, Joshua Robson in the role of antagonist Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, the universally adored Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily and theatre icon Nancye Hayes AM in the role of the Dowager Empress.
The ensemble cast includes Sophia Bae, Elliot Baker, Nicholas Cunningham, Davis Giotopoulos Moore, Todd Goddard, Stephanie Kurlow, Keian Langdon, Bella Minniti, Nathan Stafford, Alexis Van Maanen, Patrick Volpe, Annie Wilson, Deone Zanotto and Andrea Zappacosta with the Swings team featuring Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Iosefa Laga’aia, Nathan Pinnell and Emma Russell.
Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film of the same name, ANASTASIA has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.
ANASTASIA is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.
Directed by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak, ANASTASIA premiered on Broadway in March 2017. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a Musical and won more than 15 major international awards including Best Musical awards in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
The book for ANASTASIA was written by the late five time Tony Award winning writer Terrence McNally, whose credits include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime.
Music and lyrics for ANASTASIA were written by the renowned writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens who have been referred to as “one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history.” (Chicago Tribune).
“Fantastical, intelligent, well-crafted, and exhilarating, ANASTASIA deserves a coronation!” – The Wall Street Journal “Captivating, beautifully staged and emotionally vital. ANASTASIA hits the sweet spot!” – The Hollywood Reporter “One of the most gorgeous shows in years! Luscious, lavish, and a joy that leaves you cheering. This is a grandiloquent feast for the senses you won’t soon forget.” – The New York Observer
ANASTASIA – THE BROADWAY MUSICAL Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde
Now a returning fixture of the Brisbane Comedy Festival, Thank God You’re Queer riffs on the familiar and iconic format of Network 10’s Thank God You’re Here while centreing queer voices and experiences. It throws some of Brisbane’s sharpest Straight comedians into the unknown … and dares them to survive it.
The premise is simple but effective: pre-show prompts submitted by the audience via QR code—often drawn from real-life queer moments—are fed to a cast of LGBTQI+ improvisers who have only minutes to workshop ideas before stepping onstage. The result is predictably unpredictable, with scenes that veer from sharp and insightful to completely unhinged. (Brisbane City Council approving a giant, interactive Glory Hole…anyone?)
The Queer cast—Ollie Windsor, Beef, Caitlin McGrath, Cameron Watson, and Kelsey Wynn—didn’t just perform improv, they elevated it. Quick, fearless, and ridiculously funny, they built scenes that were as solid as they were chaotic, bouncing off each other with the kind of chemistry you can’t fake.
Successful Improv relies not only on a sharp wit but on respect, honesty, and a willingness to share the spotlight. The Queer cast showed that in spades allowing and supporting each other to run with a theme with all of the pivots that improv demands. There was a generosity onstage that kept even the more chaotic moments grounded.
In contrast, the “Straight Cast”—Luka Dale, Liz Talbot, Rhys McCane, and Taylor Edwards – inhabited a deliberately more precarious role, thrown into unfamiliar territory in pursuit of the tongue-in-cheek title of “Best Ally.” Their willingness to commit, even when clearly out of their depth, made for some of the night’s more memorable moments. Watching them trying and (mostly) succeeding in keeping up? Comedy gold!
Hosting duties were handled smoothly by Daniel Kirkby representing Second Beat Productions. In collaboration with Big Fork Theatre, both companies continue to play a significant role in shaping Brisbane’s improv and comedy landscape. Daniel’s effortless charm meant the show never slowed down—each scene more unhinged and hilarious than the last, and his directing ability ensured that each scene closed at a critical and hilarious point.
As with any improv show, not every line lands—but that’s part of the appeal. What Thank God You’re Queer offered was spontaneity, risk, and an insightful look at lived experiences.
Standout performances of the evening saw Taylor Edwards crowned “Queen Ally” for the second year but there was not a dud note from any of the cast – Straight or Queer.
Ultimately, Thank God You’re Queer succeeds not by being polished, but by being present—leaning into the messiness of improv and the richness of the stories it draws from.
