Theatre

The Spooky Men For Celebratory Qld Tour – From 27 May

Feature-The Spooky Men’s Chorale: 25 Years of Pointless Grandeur - An Anniversary Tour

After a ‘warm up’ concert in Melbourne 3 May, the bearded, hatted, sensational singers celebrate “25 years of Pointless Grandeur” in Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Maleny & Noosa – before dropping into Sydney… then heading overseas for a 28-gig UK tour!

The spooky story so far…
On 4 August 2001, at Eastside Paddington Church, a genial scrum of bearded fellows shuffled onto the stage. How could any of us have known that 25 years later they would still be at it after nearly 1000 gigs, 8 albums, 14 tours of UK/Europe, and the small matter of singlehandedly redefining men’s singing?

But they are. And now, in the grandiose arena of the Enmore Theatre, the Spooky Men will celebrate their birthday with a show not quite like any other they have done. It will be a birthday party, a retrospective, and a showcase of everything they have become. There will be a number of chunky gems from the past, but also the very best pickings from their current spooky tool bag.

“It takes a rare skill to be very silly, thoughtful, and sing in perfect harmony, but the Spooky Men’s Chorale manage to achieve just that.” – The Guardian

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The Spooky Men are not easy to describe: Founded by Stephen Taberner and Inspired by the great Georgian choirs of the Caucasian mountains, they aim to both celebrate and mock masculinity with a unique cocktail of mighty boofiness, charming stupidity, and exquisite tenderness that may well bring a tear to your eye.

Each show is a journey rich with theatrical and storytelling elements, but what is most notable is the humanity that is evoked. No subject is too trivial or weighty for their attention, and such ability to find new musical rooms to explore contributes greatly to their astonishing fan loyalty.

But, says Taberner, there is more: “This show will also offer the chance to join a massed audience choir, The Axis of Spook for a ridiculous musical sensurround experience. There will be special spooky guests, a musical favourites lottery and a massed spooky man finale!” And other surprises, too.

“Gird your loins: this is the one spooky show in the history of spooky shows that you should not miss….”
“Sheer musical excellence – like the ghosts of choristers long gone” Sydney Morning Herald

Iconic, eccentric, lyrical, larrikin… always supremely entertaining… The Spooky Men’s Chorale are very proud to announce their VERY SPOOKY QUEENSLAND TOUR from 27 MAY!

The Spooky Men’s Chorale: 25 Years of Pointless Grandeur – An Anniversary Tour

Melbourne Recital Centre Sun 3 May 7pm

Queensland Tour:
Wed 27 May – QLD Conservatorium Theatre 7.30pm
Thu 28 May – Macleay Island Community Hall 6.30pm
Sat 30 May – Ipswich Civic Centre 7.30pm
Sun 31 May – Toowoomba Empire Theatre 2pm
Thu 4 June – Hota Gold Coast 7.30pm
Fri 5 June – Maleny Community Centre 7.30pm
Sat 6 June – The J. Noosa 7.30pm

Thurs 11 June – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

All bookings www.spookymen.com

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The Admirable Crichton

The Admirable Crichton

The Admirable Crichton Rating

★★★★★

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The Admiral Crichton, J.N Barrie’s comedy about social class and division is just as relevant today as it was when first performed in London in 1902, with the 2022 Palm D’or winning film The Triangle of Sadness using Barrie’s story as a framework.

Crichton, played by Andrew Eddey, is the loyal butler to the Earl of Loam (Timothy Bennett), who doesn’t believe in the natural order of class divisions. His fellow aristocrats are embarrassed by his monthly tea parties where servants are treated as equals. Despite the ideology of his socially progressive master, Crichton himself believes that class and rank are the natural conditions of civilisation. When the Loam family along with two of their servants take a pleasure cruise, they find themselves wrecked on a tropical island, where natural capacity towards survival changes the rank of each person in the group. The resourceful and handy Crichton finds himself at the top of the new social order, leading to a range of moral and ethical choices amongst the castaways. You can see where Gilligan’s Island got their ideas from, like being able to build some of the modern luxuries of civilisation out of coconuts and driftwood.

 

The Admirable Crichton
The Admirable Crichton
The Admirable Crichton

 

The staging was great, with each environment brought to life by the set design and construction team. All the technical details such as sound and lighting were also superb, so the backstage team did a commendable job to support the performers. The direction by Steven Hopley was strong, bringing the story to life with a natural sense of timing, but I found that some of the humour was lost in the desire to use appropriate accents. The choice of delivery for some of the dialogue was also a little confusing at times, but that could just be a matter of taste. The performers still did a great job with each character. They were all well cast and seemed to be having lots of fun on stage. Andrew Eddy played the eponymous Crichton with an air of calm intelligence and dignity befitting a dedicated butler, while Timothy Bennett perfectly embodied the endearing, socialist-leaning Lord Loam. While I liked all the cast, the particular standouts for me were Amy Tustian as Lady Mary, one of Lord Loam’s three aristocratic daughters who becomes Crichton’s island fling, and Isabelle Serafim, playing the maid Tweeny.

The story has now been explored in all sorts of productions since it was first performed, and while the topic is no longer new or controversial, it’s still a fun evening at the theatre with some great performances and light-hearted comedy that carries with it a message we shouldn’t forget.

The Admirable Crichton is currently playing at the Genesian Theatre in Rozelle until the 16th of May.

To book tickets to The Admirable Crichton, please visit https://genesiantheatre.com.au/events/the-admirable-crichton/.

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Full Cast Announcement For Once The Musical!

Feature-ONCE The Musical

An exceptional Australian cast led by award-winning director and performer Mark Taylor, and The Voice finalist Sian Fuller, will bring the eight-time Tony award-winning characters from Once to life in this cleverly reimagined production under the stewardship of Melbourne’s critically acclaimed independent production company, AG Theatre. With rehearsals well underway, the cast is preparing to bring this global smash hit to Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel stage, with preview performances starting from the 8th May. Renowned director Pip Mushin is at the helm of this much loved production, having enjoyed a stellar run with AG Theatre over the last 18 months including their recent sell out productions of Avenue Q and Mamma Mia.

Green Room Award-nominated creative Mark Taylor, who recently directed the recently nominated production of American Psycho, is stepping into the lead role of Guy. Playing alongside Mark is 2021 The Voice semi finalist and seasoned musician, Sian Fuller, who is taking on the lead role of Girl. Both of these incredible performers are joined by a stellar community of talent that includes the highly respected performer Donald Bridges as Da – who has just been announced as the recipient of The MEAA Equity Foundation’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The production also stars Western Australian actor and multi instrumentalist Frazer Shephardson as Billy; VCA student, vocalist and violinist Rose Stephens as Reza; actor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist James Frampton as Andrej; star of ABC TV’s The Piano and up-and-coming theatre performer John Yanko as Svec; seasoned international performer of stage and screen William Lopez as the Bank Manager; talented recent graduate of Federation University Misha Gordon takes on the role of Ex-Girlfriend; seasoned Melbourne musician, actor and composer Bridget a’Beckett plays the role of Baruska; young performer and violinist Felix Star plays Eamon; young child stars Lila Colombi, Imogen Young, Emersyn Orchard will play the role of Ivonka. The rest of this talented cast includes Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau (Kye Tamm) as Emcee; and Jackson Cross and Belinda Jenkin as swings.

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Evolving from John Carney’s cinematic success in 2007 into a critically acclaimed stage production, Once has captivated theatregoers on Broadway and in London’s West End, thereby solidifying its distinguished position within the history of Western musical theatre. The production showcases the spell-binding score composed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, which notably features the Oscar-winning song, “Falling Slowly.” Once possesses the unique distinction of being the sole Broadway production whose musical composition has garnered the Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, and Tony Award.

Once is truly a production that combines the infectious rhythm of Irish céili, an incredibly talented cast of actor-musicians, an Academy Award-winning soundtrack and a heart-warming story, following a Dublin-born busker and vacuum-fixer as he meets a young Czech mother with a faulty vacuum cleaner who reinvigorates his passion for music.

Tickets are available for purchase now at https://booktickets.com.au/

A pre-sale offer is currently available, with all tickets priced at $89 until March 30th.

Once The Musical will play at Chapel off Chapel from Wednesday to Sunday from May 8th, 2026 until May 30th, 2026.

CAST LIST:
Mark Taylor – Guy
Sian Fuller – Girl
Frazer Shepherdson – Billy
Rose Chambers – Reza
James Frampton – Andrej
John Yanko – Svec
Will Lopez – Bank Manager
Misha Eve Gordon – Ex-Girlfriend
Bridget a’Beckett – Baruska
Donald Bridges – Da
Felix Star – Eamon
Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau – Emcee
Lila Colombi – Ivonka
Imogen Young – Ivonka
Emersyn Orchard – Ivonka
Jackson Cross – Swing
Belinda Jenkin – Swing

PRODUCTION TEAM:
Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar
Director: Pip Mushin
Musical Director: Timothy John Wilson
Choreographer: Jamie White
Production Design: Abbey Stanway
Costume Design: Karen Spencer

Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)
Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Book by Edna Walsh

DURATION
2hr 30 min with a 20-minute interval

 

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A Bold, Witty, and Unflinchingly Honest Exploration of the Human Psyche in Musical Form

Initial Consult: Taking diet culture to therapy

Initial Consult: Taking diet culture to therapy Rating

★★★★★

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Charlotte Grimmer’s Initial Consult- Taking diet culture to therapy (2026 MICF) at The MC Showroom is a bold, witty, and unflinchingly honest exploration of the human psyche. Grimmer is a graduate of NIDA Acting program, a high school dance and drama teacher. Charlotte has performed this show in Edinburgh, Sydney and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Bursting straight through the waiting room, Charlotte Grimmer’s initial court-mandated therapy session begins-and we, the audience find ourselves cast as the therapist. This fresh and fearless musical invites us into a hilariously triggering session filled with tap, rap, dance, and masterful keyboards. Grimmer’s performance showcases her diverse vocals, sharp wit and impressive comedic skillset.

The shows engaging narrative grapples with mental health, diet culture, perfectionism and the messy nuances of how we cope. Charlotte works the packed audience brilliantly- making pointed uncomfortable and knowing eye contact with every “therapist” in the room in moments that are at once awkward, hilarious, and deeply relatable. One moment the audience squirms, triggered and defensive: the next, they erupt with applause and laughter.

 

Initial Consult: Taking diet culture to therapy

 

The stage is set with minimalist flair: a chair, a keyboard, and a side table adorned with tissues, a plant, and a pot. By the end of the performance, it resembles the floor of a teenager’s bedroom. Each prop is purposefully placed and thoughtfully used. Grimmer’s inventive excellence is evident in every detail—every movement, and exaggerated facial expression, and lyric is meticulously placed—creating a remarkably clever and cohesive piece highlighting Grimmer’s inventive flair and keen attention to detail.

Sadly, Melbourne, Charlotte Grimmer has wrapped up her season and is heading back to Queensland. The MC Showroom is conveniently located near plenty of pubs and dining options and has a licensed bar for enjoying a drink during the performance —ideal for steadying one’s nerves before this funny therapeutic ride. Patrons should note that accessibility is limited, with 25 stairs and no all-access bathroom.

In a thoughtful touch, Grimmer acknowledges the show’s potentially triggering themes, directing audience members towards support organisations such as The Butterfly Foundation. This thought-provoking and playfully disarming performance will follow you home.

Deliciously daring, Initial Consult- Taking diet culture to therapy (2026 MICF) is the kind of performance that makes you laugh, wince, and reflect—sometimes all in the same breath. Side effects may include sore cheeks from smiling and the sudden urge to book a therapy session… or a tap class.

Love Aunty Kylie xo

To book tickets to Initial Consult: Taking diet culture to therapy, please visit https://www.themcshowroom.com/whatson/melbourne-international-comedy-festival-2026-initial-consult.

Photographer: Joel Devereux

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