Big Name, No Blankets | Andrea James with Anyupa Butcher & Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher
review, musical Catherine Lawrence review, musical Catherine Lawrence

Big Name, No Blankets | Andrea James with Anyupa Butcher & Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher

Each of the actors presented a compelling portrayal of the members of the band. Baykali Ganambarr’s Sammy was humble, modest, honest and a great narrator of the story. Definte highlights included the fantastic vocals and performances by Cassandra Williams (Suzina, Mum & Ensemble), and the superb stage presence and singing by Taj Pigram, as the Warumpi Band frontman.

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The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace | Grace Lillian Lee

The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace | Grace Lillian Lee

Each set of armour and shield represents one of Grace’s relatives, creating a physical family tree of woven sculptures. The individualised detail and numerous differences (both subtle and obvious) in each relative’s manifested representations indicates a considered and thoughtful approach to the work. The artworks seem to breathe the life story and memories of their namesakes, and while inspecting the work I could almost see the emotion poured into each stitch and weave.

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Meet Your Maker | Alethea Beetson & Blak Social
review, musical Writeousness review, musical Writeousness

Meet Your Maker | Alethea Beetson & Blak Social

Captivating and clever in its rendition, Ken Weston’s video design skills are certainly praiseworthy. Beetson’s one-woman performance doesn’t miss a beat as she sings, dances, plays instruments and interacts with these high calibre videos that unfold sequentially across the dominant screen. Her interaction with each is truly commendable and authentic in its fast-paced delivery and simultaneously, convincing enough to blur the boundary of video versus Beetson’s on-stage presence.

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Horizon | Bangarra Dance Theatre
review, dance Catherine Lawrence review, dance Catherine Lawrence

Horizon | Bangarra Dance Theatre

If you are new to Bangarra’s work, then Horizon is for you. If you are looking for a memorable creative and cultural experience, then Horizon is for you. If you want to admire exceptional cutting-edge contemporary dance, with great music, lighting and costumes … Horizon is also for you. angarra’s Horizon is an unmissable experience.

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37: The play that exposes the dark underbelly of Footy
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37: The play that exposes the dark underbelly of Footy

This is an excellent show par none that can be enjoyed by both arts and footy lovers. By including the vessels of sportsmanship, authenticity, integrity and an outstanding dialogue, this quality production aptly conveys the community spirit, thrilling energy and intense physicality of this much loved and popular sport. The talented ensemble tackles the deep themes that writer Nathan Maynard covers in this play with humour, energy and a whole lot of heart particularly when the top dogs are pitted against the underdogs. 

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The Bigger Picture | Sachém, featuring Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra.
review, poetry Claire Alcock review, poetry Claire Alcock

The Bigger Picture | Sachém, featuring Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra.

With the colourful ensemble of Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra providing a sonically vibrant depth to Sachém’s poetic innovation from his 2021 debut EP Part of the Picture, The Bigger Picture is explosive but not unstable, complex yet entirely focused, and expansive without ever being overwhelming. Altogether, the experience is simultaneously the manifestation of the incredible skill and ambition of one man while also being an unreservedly proud celebration of a rich, inclusive community. 

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Shakespeare's Othello | Queensland Theatre
review, theatre Writeousness review, theatre Writeousness

Shakespeare's Othello | Queensland Theatre

On the night of my attendance, it was interesting to note the array of ages in the audience, many of whom could have been in my very own children's age category. Methinks a testament to the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s works? Impressive to note was the resounding applause, standing ovation and numerous curtain calls. Again methinks a testament to the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s works!

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Queen's City | Blak Social
theatre, review, musical Writeousness theatre, review, musical Writeousness

Queen's City | Blak Social

Alethea [Beetson] has taken a refreshing approach to telling First Nations stories and has turned that singular, unbalanced narrative into a fierce, honest and sometimes searing commentary on how to move forward by showing us how to look back. The trauma and pain of our First Nations people is an indelible stain on the history of Australia. Queen’s City is an ideal example of a theatre production that can create awareness through its storytelling so that we can move forward and together as a nation (hopefully).

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BlakWarehouse Party | Blak Social & Brisbane Serenades, Brisbane Festival
review, music Kaylee Vera review, music Kaylee Vera

BlakWarehouse Party | Blak Social & Brisbane Serenades, Brisbane Festival

I was blown away by the music I was lucky enough to experience. Dameeeela, DJ Kritty, Sovblkpssy, and DJ PGZ provided the music, their tracklists were all unique, but all highlighted the best First Nations artists around the country with unique styles and remixes. Brisbane's First Nations dance music scene is deadly, and I am inspired to seek out more.

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Face to Face | Emily Wells & Playlab Theatre
theatre, review Jaydem Martin theatre, review Jaydem Martin

Face to Face | Emily Wells & Playlab Theatre

Growing up in an Indigenous community, many of the issues that impact our mob happen so frequently that I personally found and still find it difficult to properly process a lot of the grief and my own trauma. Sitting in the crowd and watching the characters speak gave me some time to truly reflect and allowed me to be vulnerable as they expressed their own vulnerability.

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Restless Dream | Bob Weatherall, Halfway, Digi Youth Arts & Alethea Beetson
storytelling, music, review Jaydem Martin storytelling, music, review Jaydem Martin

Restless Dream | Bob Weatherall, Halfway, Digi Youth Arts & Alethea Beetson

It’s through Uncle Bob Weatherall where the reality hits that we are experiencing more than art and performance - it’s truth telling performed with rawness and honesty. Restless Dream tells the real-life journey of Uncle Bob’s efforts of repatriation and bringing back the ancestral remains of those who have died to be buried back on their country, back to Kamilaroi. Bringing peace and ensuring a real passing can happen.

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Auntie's Fiafia Night | Casus Circus
circus, dance, review Saskia Sassen circus, dance, review Saskia Sassen

Auntie's Fiafia Night | Casus Circus

Imagine two powerful women with vibrant flower covered moomoos, fanning themselves with woven fans, and big palm leaf plant beside them, laughing and gesturing as the performers take turns trying to earn a smile from them all night long. This shows just how respected elders and women are in Pasifika culture and that was an amazing take away for those who may not be of that background/culture.

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Demolition | Polytoxic
circus, physical theatre, review Katie Rasch circus, physical theatre, review Katie Rasch

Demolition | Polytoxic

The importance of solidarity really stuck with me and I felt like I was being shown an inclusive version of sisterhood that I could really relate to. This was no highly sanitised mainstream girlboss sisterhood, but the kind of solidarity that can be difficult and gritty and requires you to show up for other people and do the work.

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Demolition | Polytoxic
circus, physical theatre, review Hope One circus, physical theatre, review Hope One

Demolition | Polytoxic

This work left me feeling seen on so many levels - as a Queer non-binary person struggling to fit the status quo, as a Maori woman who wasn’t raised on her Marae or Ancestral lands, as a Mother realising the importance of embracing culture for your children’s future, as a woman being surrounded by the constant pressures of living up to the patriarchal structure and never feeling good enough. I felt uplifted, hopeful, powerful and full of rage.

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Weredingo | Karul Projects
theatre, review Dr Fed theatre, review Dr Fed

Weredingo | Karul Projects

“Are you coming as a human or as an animal tonight?” a well-dressed guy asked us as we descended into New Benner Theatre at Metro Arts on Saturday night. “Animal!” I said without giving myself the time to process the question.

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