7 November 2026 (matinee). The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra A particularly interesting part of one media release that was available regarding Alter, the latest creation from Liz Lea and her colleagues, included a section that made connections with two defining aspects of the city of Canberra— the work of Walter Burley Griffin, designer of Canberra (with his wife Marion
31 October 2026. Black Grace Fale, Auckland reviewed by Jennifer Shennan The Eggyssey is the first season in the new Black Grace Fale (home), their newly converted premises near Karangahape Rd. Newton in Auckland, the first they have owned, after decades of renting elsewhere around town. Studios double as performance areas, and management, study, library and archive facilities are all housed
With New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 29 October 2026. St James Theatre, Wellingtonreviewed by Jennifer Shennan This season of The Sleeping Beauty is a restaging of RNZB’s spirited production from 2011, and artistic director Ty King-Wall has ingeniously invited back a number of the original players for the project. That’s not just a matter of nostalgia but brings mana to the
‘Everyone thinks about quitting, even the strong. Breathe, then take one more step.’ So says a card in a packet of Kurrajong Kitchen Biscuits (believe it or not)! After an abusive and ignorant message on a Facebook page from Quantum Leap Australia about me and my reviewing, the message above from the packet of biscuits came at just the right
reviewed by Jennifer Shennan Li Cunxin, known from his memoir and the associated film as Mao’s Last Dancer (Viking/Penguin 2003) now goes by another name as well—The Lucky Son, which is the title of his memoir sequel, recently published (Penguin, 2026). This second book, artfully because briefly, summarises the first one for anyone who may not have read it, and
17 October 2026. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre Melanie Lane’s MOUNTAIN is, once again, a magnificent example of the work of an exceptional choreographer. Lane has a huge ability to create a complete work of art in which the audience can become fully immersed. Made on five dancers, in this case Sara Black, Max Burgess, Tyrel Dulvarie, Madeleine Bowman and
by Jennifer Shennan The intrepid Russian ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova, said goodbye to the Maryinksy in St. Petersburg where she had trained and performed to great acclaim, then joined Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes company dancing Giselle, Les Sylphides, Pavillon d’Armide, and more besides. She was offered the title role in the creation of Fokine’s l’Oiseau de Feu/The Firebird but did not
My review of We Come Together to Dance was published online by CBR CityNews on 17 October 2026, following its premiere performance on 16 October. The review below is a slightly enlarged version of the CityNews post. Follow this link to the CityNews review. ****************** 16 October 2026. Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra We Come Together to Dance is the 2026 production for Quantum Leap Australia’s Chaos project.
Little Theatre, Lower Hutt. 27 September 2026reviewed by Jennifer Shennan Varshita is a graduating student from Mudra Dance Academy in Wellington, where for over 30 years Sri Vivek Kinra has taught hundreds of pupils the technique and art of Bharata Natyam, classical Indian dance. Himself a graduate of the renowned Kalakshetra school in Chennai, Vivek has prepared close to 50 pupils to perform their arangetram—a
News just in is that Melanie Lane will take on the leadership of the Melbourne-based contemporary dance company, Lucy Guerin Inc, beginning in 2027. Guerin recently announced that she is retiring from the artistic directorship of the company she has led for 25 years. The company will take on a new name once Lane takes on the role. The appointment