Sydney

Steel Magnolias Opens In Sydney Tomorrow

Feature-Steel Magnolias

After a hugely successful Brisbane season, the play that inspired the iconic film, Steel Magnolias opens at Theatre Royal Sydney tomorrow. This beloved Southern classic features an extraordinary line up of Australian TV royalty starring Lisa McCune, Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett. Tickets are now available from steelmagnoliasplay.com. “A Heartwarming Star-Studded Triumph” – The Scoop “Unforgettable. When Australian theatre gets the casting right, trusts the material and lets the performances breathe, it doesn’t need gimmicks.” – The Courier Mail “A Joy to Behold”- Stage Whispers “Six Actresses at the Peak of their Powers”- Absolute Theatre Written by Robert Harling, the timeless tale of Steel Magnolias opens at Theatre Royal Sydney from 13 May 2026, before heading to Wollongong and Canberra in June 2026, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth in July 2026 and Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from July 2026. Tickets are on sale now from steelmagnoliasplay.com.

In the role of M’Lynn is Gold Logie winner and leading lady of stage and screen Lisa McCune (Blue Heelers, The 39 Steps) joined by Home and Away icons, Belinda Giblin (Amadeus, Doubt) as Ouiser and Debra Lawrance (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child AU and UK, A Christmas Carol) as Clairee. Acclaimed performer Mandy Bishop (Wharf Revue, Blue Heelers) plays Truvy while current Home and Away star Jessica Redmayne (800 Words, The Great Gatsby) plays Shelby. Newcomer Lotte Beckett (Julia, The Election Monologues) joins this elite line up in the role of Annelle.

Jessica Redmayne, Belinda Giblin, Lisa McCune, Mandy Bishop, Lotte Beckett, Debra Lawrance SteelMagnolias_Production_PhotoBrettBoardman_007566 LR.jpg

Step inside Truvy’s beauty salon, the heart of a small Southern town, where local women share their joys, struggles and a little neighbourly gossip. From weddings and babies to divorces and funerals, they face life’s highs and lows with humour, courage and impeccably styled hair. When tragedy strikes, it’s in these familiar walls that they find comfort, support and the unbreakable bonds of friendship that carry them through.

Steel Magnolias originally opened in Australia at the York Theatre at Sydney’s Seymour Centre in May 1988 and toured to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, featuring a cast which included Maggie Dence, Nancye Hayes, Melissa Jaffer, Genevieve Lemon, Pat McDonald and Nicole Kidman making her professional stage debut.

Bursting with sass, warmth and Southern charm, Steel Magnolias delivers laughter, love and unforgettable heart. www.steelmagnoliasplay.com.au

STEEL MAGNOLIAS
By Robert Harling
Director – Lee Lewis
Composer & Sound Designer – Brady Watkins
Set and Costume Designer: Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Designer – Paul Jackson
Producer – Neil Gooding Productions and Woodward Productions
By Arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical
On behalf of Samuel French Ltd, A Concord Theatricals Company

SEASON DETAILS
SYDNEY
Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: 13 – 30 May
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed, Thurs & Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm & 6pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: theatreroyalsydney.com or 1300 163 808

WOLLONGONG
Venue: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
Season: 3 – 11 June
Performance Times: Tues 6:30pm, Wed 11am or 1:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm, Thurs 1:30pm & 6:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sat & Sun 1:30pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $89 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: merrigong.com.au or (02) 4224 5999
Groups 8+ call (02) 4224 5999

CANBERRA
Venue: Canberra Theatre Centre
Season: 17 – 21 June
Performance Times: Wed 6:30, Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Thurs 2pm, Sat-Sun 1pm, Sun 6pm (times vary weekly)
Prices: From $55 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or (02) 6275 2700
Groups 8+ call (02) 6275 2727

PERTH
Venue: His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth
Season: 7 – 18 July
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm
Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au or (08) 6212 9292
Groups 8+ call (08) 6212 9291 or email groups@artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au

MELBOURNE
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Season: 23 July – 9 August
Performance Times: Tues- Thurs 7pm, Fri -Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm
Prices: From $55 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or phone (03) 9650 1500
Groups 8+ visit ticketmaster.com.au
Groups 20+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au

 

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A Very Welcome Pinter Production

The Homecoming

The Homecoming Rating

★★★★★

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5

Kult Klassic’s production of Harold Pinter’s, ‘The Homecoming’, is an absolute triumph. This play set in 1960s London, depicts a dysfunctional family with its many complexities. All the characters bring a provocative undercurrent of struggle. Pinterseque dialogue is like no other. The audience needs to be shocked and taken out of their comfort zone. Co-Directors, Lola Carlton and Bora Celebi have the actors working at the peak of their powers. The result is intense. We are gripped.

Max (Neil O’Donnell), the brutal patriarch, wields his walking stick around the home. Even with declining mobility, the stick is used as a weapon. Max has his sons Lenny (Alejandro Sarmiento Castro), a menacing pimp, and Joey (Harrison Down) a demolition worker by day and a trainee-boxer by night, living with him. Sam (Linton Atlas), Max’s brother, is non-threatening and polite. Sam is a chauffeur and is allowed to stay in the home, whilst he still brings in a steady income and the occasional gift from clients.

Max’s wife Jessie has died. There is a lack of femininity in the household. Max refers to Jessie often. Sometimes fondly, sometimes cruelly. It depends on Max’s mood. All the men, except Sam, see women in a derogatory manner.

Unexpectedly, Teddy, (Tate Wilkinson Alexander), the eldest son arrives, after a six year absence. Teddy is a Doctor of Philosophy in America and has a glamorous wife, Ruth (Danette Potgieter). Together they have three sons.

Ruth has an immediate effect on the men of the household. They all become intoxicated by her and Teddy is powerless. Ruth enjoys the male attention and swoons in their presence. Max and Lenny offer her a work proposal. The role of prostitute for a few hours a day, in her own flat, followed by doing some domestic duties in the family home.

 

The Homecoming
The Homecoming
The Homecoming

 

When Max, Lenny and Joey, literally fall at her feet, Ruth dismisses Teddy. He leaves. Ruth has abandoned him and their boys, to be swept up my male adoration. The audience questions who has the real power here. Ruth or the men? It’s a provocative question. Is Pinter being misogynistic or is he showing that men are somehow under Ruth’s spell.

In many ways, it’s a shocking ending. A wife abandoning her husband and children, to be a prostitute is alarming. Several audiences members were gobsmacked. That’s the magic of Pinter. He takes an absurdist stance and then challenges us.

Neil O’Donnell is convincing as the cantankerous Max. We believe his intimidating presence. O’Donnell makes the monstrous Max, seem real. Alejandro Sarmiento Castro is dazzling as Lenny. Castro reminds me of a young Robert De Niro. Utterly charming, yet, able to play sinister at the same time. When Lenny laughs his prolonged laugh, it’s scary. Sam (Linton Atlas) provides an eloquent counterbalance to Max. Tate Wilkinson Alexander exudes an academic nerdiness as Teddy. The Doctor of Philosophy has achieved much acclaim, but his achievements are not valued back at home. Alexander carefully brings the necessary sense of vulnerability to this role. Danette Potgieter entrances as Ruth. Potgieter reminds me of a young Uma Thurman in a Tarantino creation. She is quite beguiling. Harrison Down as Joey, conveys vulnerability and some thuggery, as the young man grapples with self identity.

Bronte Taylor’s set is perfect. It sets the mood of a male-dominated home. Studio One in the Esme Timbery Creative Lab at the University Of NSW, is an ideal venue for this play. The audience is up-close-and-personal. Occasional wafts of herbal cigarettes smoked on-stage, titillate our nostrils. Kult Klassic Productions is an exciting new company, that deserves our patronage.

To book tickets to The Homecoming, please visit https://events.humanitix.com/the-homecoming-kult-klassic/tickets.

Photographer: whtvrlolawantslolagets

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Laughing At Lawyers – Bondi Comedy From 20 June

Feature-My Fair Lawyer

Why are lawyers so pompous and easy to make fun of? Sydney solicitor and comedic playwright Tony Laumberg offers another hilarious poke at the legal profession when the BONDI THEATRE COMPANY presents MY FAIR LAWYER at the Bondi Pavilion, from Saturday June 20. Is that a legal suit approaching???

“Legal laughs without precedent… will tickle the most earnest funny bone” – The Brag

Following the critical and popular success of Laumberg’s Bondi Legal in 2019, the BTC is back with his seventh play – an even more cutting satire featuring a pompous lawyer, his smart but inebriated wife, his illegitimate daughter… and a wacky Indian shrink!

Henry and Margaret Crowley have endured a childless marriage in peaceful uber-white St Ives for over 25 years. Henry, an outspoken lawyer, is too busy leading his prominent Sydney law firm worry about romance. Hence Margaret turning to a stiff drink or two…

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But when Cheryl, a young law graduate from Cessnock, arrives on their doorstep – claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter and wanting a job at this law firm – their quiet conservative lives go into a tailspin. To make matters worse, Henry and Margaret are secretly seeing the same psychiatrist, noted Indian shrink, Rahmish J Punjab. And to say his methods are unusual would be an understatement!

Starring Martin Portus as Henry, Deirdre Campbell as Margaret, Jade Michailidis as Cheryl and Gantanter Singh Gill as Dr Punjab. Directed by Richard Cotter, produced by David Spicer.

Laumberg says he loves torturing his popular, returning character Henry Crowley. “His trials and tribulations are comedy gold! Plus, I want to explore the humour arising from the clash of ‘old-time Australian values’ and the modern-day ambition of entrepreneurial immigrants.”

With set design by Tom Tafy and lighting design by Cian Byrne – the season includes two great Q+A sessions: one featuring the cast, the other with the playwright (with a foot in both camps) on what it is about lawyers that inspires so much laughter!
Staged in repertory with Uked! The Play-Along Ukulele musical.

My Fair Lawyer, by Tony Laumberg:
Bondi Pavilion Theatre – Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach 20-28 June
SAT June 20th 5pm | SUN June 21st 6pm
TUE June 23rd 7:30pm plus Playwright Q+A: “Making Fun of Lawyers!”
WED June 24th 7:30pm plus Cast Q+A | SAT June 27th 4:30pm | SUN June 28th 6:30pm
Bookings: www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au Playing time 75 mins (no interval)

 

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A Ghost To Believe In

Beethoven's Ghost

Beethoven’s Ghost Rating

★★★★★

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2

Musica Viva always assemble world-class musicians. The Beethoven’s Ghost concert at City Recital Hall, on May 6, saw a sublime collaboration. Aura Go on piano, plays with boundless passion and innovation. Kristian Winther on violin, creates wondrous, coherent performances. Timo-Veikko Valve, caresses the cello, in expressive fashion.

In many ways, this is an eclectic program with Beethoven and Ravel, accompanied by Australian composer Evotvos and French composer, Boulanger. Yet, it all blends magnificently in the gorgeous artistic space of the City Recital Hall. Valve and Go have collaborated over several years as a duo. Winther has also played with Go. The prospect of forming a trio, proved irresistible and Musica Viva have launched a national tour.

Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D major, Op 70 No.1 Ghost 1808, opens the program. The Ghost has Shakespearean influences, which of course adds to the drama. The first movement, Allegro vivace e con brio, is fast-paced and lively. We sense a ghostly spirit. The second movement Largo assai ed espressivo, is slow and effectively eerie. The third movement, Presto, is quick, demanding technical intensity from the trio. Ghosts move in mysterious ways! This Beethoven trio is one of his most performed chamber works and its appeal is obvious.

 

Beethoven's Ghost
Beethoven's Ghost
Beethoven's Ghost

 

The second composer is Melody Eotvos,(yes, the perfect name for a composer). Regnare, Piano Trio No 3 2026, is powerful. Eotvos, introduces her work on-stage. We learn that her inspiration for this piece comes from the Tasmanian Ash (Eucalyptus regnare). Being the world’s tallest flowering plant, there’s a sense that various climatic changes must be overcome in order to survive. The trio capture the atmospherics here so beautifully. Eotvos embraces the artists to rapturous applause from the audience. It’s a joyous way to glide to an interval.

The third composer is Lili Boulanger’s piece, D’un soir triste 1918, which translates to Of a sad Evening. There’s an enveloping sensation of despair, grief and indeed, deep sadness. The trio again achieve shivering harmonies. Life is fragile. The piece has an urgent intensity. We feel brave for having witnessed it. Sadness is the most lasting of all human emotions.

To close the program, there’s Ravel’s Piano Trio 1914. Movement 1, Modere is played at moderate speed. It has a folk music-like feel with subtle irregularities to waft over us. The second movement, Pantoum Assez vif, is lively and poetic. Victor Hugo’s words being influential in its formation. Passacaille, the third instalment, is a hymn to the piece. Each instrument has its moments to absolutely shine, as a climax is achieved. The final movement has a divine, rhythmic Basque texture. A glorious conclusion to a beguiling evening.

Post Show there is a Q&A on-stage with the ever-charming, director, Paul Kildea, composer Melody Eotvos, accompanied by Aura Go, Kristian Winther and Timo-Veikko-Valve. Musica Viva pride themselves on being accessible. There’s no intellectual snobbery. The mutual admiration between, director, composer and artists is gloriously on-show. Concerts like this happen through collaboration and an ambitious drive for excellence. Beethoven’s Ghost has thrilled audiences in Newcastle, Sydney, and Canberra. Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth, are next on the tour. Not to be missed!

To book tickets to Beethoven’s Ghost, please visit https://musicaviva.com.au/concert-season/2026/beethovens-ghost/.

Photographer: Peter Stoop

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