Theatre: Never Closer
Venue: fortyfivedownstairs until May 24
Playwright: Grace Chapple (debut play)
"A 4-star review."
Setting: Northern Ireland during the Troubles; the play tracks a group of friends over several years.
Production: First staged at Belvoir in 2024; this is a new production by Patalog Theatre.
Cast: Ella Ferris, Enya Daly, Damon Baudin, Ben Walter, Molly Holohan, Karl Richmond.
Director: Marni Mount.
Set design: Dann Barber and Ella Butler; audience views from three sides.
Opera: La Traviata
Venue: Regent Theatre until May 16
Composer: Verdi
"A 4-star review."
Production: Opera Australia; premiered in Brisbane in 2022; directed by Sarah Giles; set and costumes by Charles Davis.
Cast: Stacey Alleaume (Violetta Valéry), Filipe Manu (Alfredo Germont), Andrii Kymach (Giorgio Germont).
Conductor: Giampaolo Bisanti (company debut).
Orchestra: Orchestra Victoria.
Jazz: Panorama Brasil: The Music of Hermeto Pascoal
Venue: The JazzLab, May 9
Tribute concert: Homage to composer Hermeto Pascoal, who died in 2024.
"A 4-star review."
Core quartet: Alastair Kerr (drums/percussion, MC), Matt Boden (piano), Jorge Albuquerque (bass), Yael Zamir (flute).
Guest musicians: Adam May, Paul Carey, Rose M. Gonzalez, Doug de Vries, Barney McAll.