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Sydney Dance Company’s Engine Ignites The Stage This August

05/05/2026 Breaking News

Sydney Dance Company returns with Engine, an exhilarating triple bill uniting three bold choreographic voices—Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz, and Melanie Lane—in a dynamic program of contemporary dance.

At its core is Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s The Journey Itself is Home, a striking new work inspired by the writings of 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō. Set to a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner, the piece delves into the interplay between movement, memory, and place, offering audiences a deeply immersive and reflective experience.

Making its Australian premiere, The Mass Ornament by Berlin-based Spanish choreographer Fran Diaz reinterprets Siegfried Kracauer’s influential 1927 essay through a hypnotic contemporary lens. Accompanied by the evocative music of Henryk Górecki, the work explores themes of collectivity and connection, where individuality remains present within a powerful shared rhythm, creating a visually compelling and emotionally resonant performance.

Rounding out the program is Melanie Lane’s critically acclaimed Love Lock, a visionary reimagining of folk dance for a modern world. Drawing on shared cultural traditions and the urgency of global change, Love Lock is both celebratory and cautionary—highlighting dance as a unifying and transformative force. The production features intricate costumes by renowned Australian designer Akira Isogawa and an immersive electronic score by UK artist Clark.

Hailed by critics and audiences alike, Love Lock has received widespread praise:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…choreographed with electric intelligence by Melanie Lane.” – Sydney Morning Herald
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Love Lock is a work of bold genius and unfiltered creativity… It’s a cult I absolutely want to join.” – BachTrack
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…Love Lock feels exceedingly contemporary. In fact, it feels like a glimpse into the future. You just can’t look away.” – ArtsHub
★ ★ ★ ★ “Each element of Love Lock is expertly crafted… a spectacular explosion of colour, richness and immersion that leaves the audience craving more.” – State of the Art

Engine showcases contemporary dance at its most daring—bringing together distinct creative voices in a program that is both intellectually engaging and visually captivating.

Program
The Journey Itself is Home – Rafael Bonachela
The Mass Ornament – Fran Diaz
Love Lock – Melanie Lane

Performance Dates: 5–8 August 2026
https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/

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mil-aa-qa

02/05/202602/05/2026 Yannick Benoit🆕

mil-aa-qa Rating

★★★★★

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‘Mil-aa-qa’ is a live studio cooking show, written and performed by Jude Soussan at The Blue Room Theatre. It was a pleasantly different experience from beginning to end. Jude, being the main character of two, explores food, chronic illness, culture and self-love, through an intimate and deeply personal lens, while being filmed by camera operator and AV assistant, Alleyne Aviles. The show within a show, reflects on how cooking and sharing meals can become one of the purest expressions of care, especially when living with dietary restrictions like coeliac disease. If cooking is your love language, you will also resonate with this show.

‘Mil-aa-qa’ transformed the intimate performance space into a Lebanese domestic kitchen. The mood felt warm and homely, while ‘Aunty’ (Jude) sings ‘Al Bostah’ while cutting onions as we entered. Bowls of spices, vegetables and traditional cookware were on display and the wider set extended into a carefully curated family living area. Generations of family history and inherited tradition were on display as framed personal photographs, floral prints, spice racks, lace doilies and dark wooden cabinets gave the room that cosy atmosphere you’d expect in grandma’s kitchen.

Through stories of growing up Lebanese while navigating illness and the social pressures usually unappreciated in Lebanese culture, Jude reveals the emotional complexity of food – both nourishing and harmful. During ‘ad-breaks’, Jude interacts with the audience, treating them as part of the show. A discussion on the impact of coeliac disease, the comorbidities of depression associated with the disease and what constitutes respectful behaviours reveal that there is much opportunity to educate on this topic. Jude successfully provided that education without lecturing, giving layers to the show, being both entertaining and thought-provoking.

‘Mil-aa-qa’ created an intimate theatrical world that felt authentic, emotionally layered and quietly cinematic. The show celebrates resilience and the longing to preserve traditions of hospitality and shared meals with people you love, but also highlighting that when you are not being considered, that can quickly turn into resentment. Jude achieves maintaining her passion for food on her own terms by being more creative with her cooking. So what begins as struggle, transforms into healing and cultural reconnection.
When the show ends, do not run out the door like we almost did. The audience were delighted to be invited by producer, Anja Starkiss, to try a warm bowl of her delicious cooking in the foyer. I’d tell you what it is, but I think you’d better try it for yourself!

‘Mi-aa-qa’ is showing at The Blue Room Theatre until May 9th.

To book tickets to mil-aa-qa, please visit https://blueroom.org.au/events/%d9%85%d9%84%d8%b9%d9%82%d8%a9-mil-aa-qa/.

Photographer: Apurva Gupta

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2026 Performing Arts Wa Awards Announce Winners Celebrating Excellence In Live Performance From 2025

23/04/2026 Breaking News

The 2026 Performing Arts WA Awards Ceremony, held on Monday 20 April in the Heath Ledger Theatre, celebrated achievement in Western Australian professional live performance in 2025, covering both mainstage and independent performances. Opera Dead Man Walking by Freeze Frame Opera was the biggest winner for the night, taking home five awards, including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Lighting Design and Best Production.

Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA’s co-production with Belvoir St Theatre August: Osage County by Tracy Letts and independent theatre show Shadow of Doubt by The Blue Room Theatre & Fine Comb Theatre were also popular productions, picking up four awards each.

After Freeze Frame Opera, Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA was the next most awarded company, taking home a total of five awards. The Blue Room Theatre maintained their reputation as a hub for excellent theatre, with 10 awards for shows at the venue. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to veteran stage manager Jenny Poh, for her tireless work within the industry.

The inaugural Ripple Effect Award winner was James Berlyn. James’ tireless and quiet contribution has had a ripple effect to make change and to impact others. In his acceptance speech, James announced the prize money would fund a new artist residency opportunity at his West Berlyn Studios.

The Ripple Effect Award is a new award, to honour the legacy of the late Georgia Malone. A true champion of the arts, her incredible career has left a lasting legacy for the world. With continued funding and support from DCITS and Arts & Culture Trust, the awards continue to be held at Heath Ledger Theatre at State Theatre Centre. The awards themselves featured live performances from MATRIARX and Pam Boland, and were hosted with comedic wit by performers Luke Joseph Ryan & Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd. With a 20+ year history of recognising professional theatre, the Awards include dance, musicals, opera and cabaret across WA. The Awards celebrate the professional live performing arts in Western Australia. They are hosted each year by Artist Relief Fund WA, a charity which supports arts workers experiencing hardship.

Musical Urinetown by Western Sky Projects received the most nominations, up for fourteen separate awards. After Western Sky Projects, Freeze Frame Opera was the most nominated company with 9 nominations. Other big nominees include Co3 Contemporary Dance & The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s dance work IN THE SHADOW OF TIME with eight nominations; The Blue Room Theatre & Tone Lists’s O,D,E also snared eight nominations.

The event was supported by funders and sponsors: DCITS and Arts & Culture Trust WA, Steamworks Arts, CircuitWest, Architecture of Movement, George Kingsley, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Moore Creative Artists, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Pigface Books; plus hospitality partners Otherside Brewing and West Cape Howe Wines. More information: www.performingartswaawards.com

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A Chang-Chang, Changity, Chang, Shoo, Bop Musical Melody

19/04/2026 Carmen Jenner🥉

Musical Melody Rating

★★★★★

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For all those Hollywood buffs out there, you may struggle to restrain any uncontrollable toe tapping and humming during the Garrick Theatre’s latest production, the ‘Musical Melody’. Anyone would understand if you burst into song during ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair’ (South Pacific), ‘Le Jazz Hot’ (Victor/Victoria) or ‘We Go Together’ (Grease).

However, there would be plenty of complaints if anyone interrupted Katie Nowland’s operatic performance of ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’, in a spellbinding rendition of the Show Boat tune. Other highlights include energetic performances of ‘The Tapioca’ (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and ‘Carrying The Banner’ (Newsies).

It was wonderful to see some familiar faces return to the stage, including Carly Ranger and Lily Wakeling from the Garrick’s Sweeney Todd 2025 production, as well as Kody Fellows (Narnia). From ‘Cursed’ returned Steph Hickey, Erin Shay Horrigan, Ethan Dal Molin and Ben Vaughan-Sanders (who will also be performing in the upcoming ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ production).

To debut on the Garrick’s seasoned stage are Kyla Retirado and Priom Bhattacharjee in their first forays into community theatre, alongside Fringe Festival regular James Carduff.

Who can forget to mention host Ian Staunton’s British banter in between acts? No doubt I’m not the only one who hopes to see him return to the Garrick’s well-trodden stage, in a blaze of theatrical glory.

Musical director Juliette Basini and director Tamar Basini also joined the cast with song and dance performances. Under their direction and choreography, the mother-daughter duo brought their love of Hollywood classics to the stage with ‘Kiss Me, Kate’, ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘The Pajama Game’, ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘The Boy Friend’.

Community theatre would never have the opportunity to sparkle without the creativity of those working behind the scenes. So, let’s shine some light on Astro Stewart (Stage Manager), Nera Camponovo (Production Liaison), Mark Nicholson (Lighting), Joe Hoedemaker (Lighting), Declan O’Brien (Sound), Paris Romano Jenner (Props & Photography), Kieran Smith (Photography), Roisin O’Neill (Choreography), Katie Nowland (Vocal warmups), Tamar Basini (Costumes) and Juliette Basini (Photography and Graphic Design). A special mention goes to theatre President Ali McNamara’s help with direction, and Yvonne Star and her front-of-house team.

The Musical Melody takes you on a chang-chang, changity, chang, shoo, bop journey through the ages. With only four shows, it’s no wonder it’s already sold out, featuring an incredibly talented cast whose delightful routines left the audience grinning from ear to ear.

Established in 1932, the Garrick Theatre is Perth’s longest-running community theatre group. Annual memberships are available, and if you’re a cherished member, then you would already know that next on the agenda is The Playboy of the Western World, with performances starting on 4th June 2026.

To book tickets to Musical Melody, please visit https://www.taztix.com.au/event/garricktheatre/.

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