It's Nicole Kidman's next miniseries role after The Undoing. It's based on the 2018 novel penned by Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty. It also stars everyone from Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force) and Michael Shannon (Knives Out) to Luke Evans (Crisis) and Asher Keddie (Rams). And, it brought all of the above famous faces — and Bobby Cannavale (Superintelligence), Regina Hall (Little), Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Melvin Gregg (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Asher Keddie (Rams), Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake), Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) as well — to Byron Bay, where it was shot. Yes, Nine Perfect Strangers was always going to be one of 2021's big TV shows — and viewers Down Under can now look forward to watching it on Amazon Prime Video. When the series dropped its first teaser trailer back in April, exactly where folks in Australia and New Zealand would be able to watch the eagerly anticipated program hadn't yet been revealed. Now, the streaming service has announced that it'll be airing it on our shores. It hasn't advised exactly when, though, so don't go pencilling a date into your calendar just yet. That said, Nine Perfect Strangers is due to start streaming week-to-week via Hulu in the US from August 18, so fingers crossed that Amazon will make it available here around the same time. Story-wise, Perfect Strangers casts Kidman as a wellness guru. She's unlikely to leave anyone feeling relaxed, however. Her character Masha oversees a resort that promises to transform nine city dwellers, and you can bet that things aren't going to turn out as planned for the show's titular figures. As with Big Little Lies and The Undoing, David E Kelley (LA Law, Ally McBeal, Mr Mercedes) is leading the charge behind the scenes. He's the show's co-writer and co-showrunner, with Long Shot's Jonathan Levine directing every episode. And yes, Byron Bay seems to be quite the TV hub at the moment, given that Stan's upcoming mystery-drama series Eden also shot in the area, and that Netflix is working on a docu-soap about Byron Bay influencers. Check out Hulu's new date announcement teaser trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv3fA0D2cAk Nine Perfect Strangers is slated to air in the US on Hulu from August 18; however, Amazon Prime Video is yet to announce a streaming date for Australia and New Zealand. We'll update you when one is announced.
Fourteen brewers, two beer trucks, a cider tent, three food tents, live musicians, a petting zoo and plenty of beers will converge on Willoughby on Saturday, September 10, for the fifth annual Willoughby Craft Beer Fair. Entry to the shindig is free. But, if you're keen to sample, you'd be wise to invest in some tasting tix before the date. For $33 online and $36 at the door, you get a tasting ticket, which will let you do just what its name implies. Expect Australian brewers peddling their creations — Balmain Brewing Company, Gang of Four from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Mountain Goat from Richmond, Victoria, Yulli's Brews from Surry Hills and Murray's from Port Stephens have all been on the bill in previous years — plus a stack of drops from around the world. The Fair is hosted by The Willoughby Hotel, and is an all-day affair. Expect the craft beer fun to kick off at 11am and wind up at 5pm.
An old-school oyster, cocktail and piano bar is on its way to Bayswater Road from the mind behind two of Kings Cross's most beloved small bars — Piccolo Bar and Vermuteria. David Spanton, a passionate advocate for the area and Sydney's nightlife will open The Hook in May this year. His most ambitious bar to date, the venue is taking over impressive space previously occupied by the Potts Point outpost of Harajuku Gyoza before briefly being run as Izgara before its CBD move. The new spot will form what Spanton describes as a "Bermuda Triangle of bars", with The Hook, Vermuteria and Piccolo Bar all just a few hundred metres from each other. Together they make up a core part of Kings Cross and Potts Point's small bar revival, with other exciting newcomers like Snack Kitchen and Caravin arriving in the area alongside local mainstays Dear Sainte Eloise, Jangling Jacks and Chester White. [caption id="attachment_831936" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Piccolo Bar[/caption] Sporting 250 metres of space, this is by far the biggest of the three venues. The centrepiece will be the oyster bar, taking over the curved bar used for Izgara's open kitchen. Here you can take a seat and watch your oysters be shucked before ordering them natural, kilpatrick, mornay or rockefeller. "I fell in love with this Horseshoe shape," Spanton told Concrete Playground. "I just don't know of any kind of horseshoe bars in Sydney that aren't pubs." [caption id="attachment_860684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The exterior of 15 Bayswater Road when it was Izgara, Scott Ehler[/caption] Accompanying the briny delights of the oyster bar will be some heartier eats like cheeseburgers, classic cocktails, a retro New Orleans-inspired fit-out and a piano by the window where performers will provide the soundtrack for the night. A flood of reds, greens and browns will be found throughout the venue, with vintage photographs on the wall and antique beer lights illuminating guests The aforementioned cocktails will find a balance between the tried and true menu of Piccolo and Vermuteria's focus on aromatised wine. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the drinks pair well with the oysters, with ice-cold martinis, red snappers (a gin take on a bloody mary) and black velvets (a mix of Guinness and champagne) just some of the standards and throwbacks you can expect. The Hook is expected to open at 13-15 Baywater Road, Kings Cross in early May. Follow along with its progress at the bar's Instagram.
Soon the Opera House and its surrounds will erupt with Indigenous music, theatre and visual arts, when the 14th Message Sticks Festival launches. As festival director Rhoda Roberts points out, Bennelong Point is charged with its own ancient power as a historical gathering-place for Aboriginal corroboree and storytelling, and this year carries particular significance: it marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of the site's namesake, Woollarawarre Bennelong. The expanded program showcases the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists across many disciplines. Tammy Anderson's chosen medium of expression is theatre, and her one-woman show I Don't Wanna Play House is said to mingle laughter and tears in just the right measure. Music-wise, there's plenty to get you grooving to Indigenous sounds. Dancestry melds traditional song cycles in a modern corroboree, while Late Nights at Bar Badu brings the song cycle under the stars with folk duo Microwave Jenny, Troy Bray, Hui-A, and hip hop outfit Street Warriors. ARIA winner David Bridie directs Wantok: Sing Sing, which combines the force of 20 musicians and dancers as they follow the Songlines to evoke diverse landscapes stretching from West Papua to the deserts of Australia. There are also opportunities for getting educated about the rich heritage of the land and its people. The Yolngu Experience explores the history of north-east Arnhem Land, the region which gave us the legendary Gurrumul and Yothu Yindi. For more hands-on learning, Billinudgel Weavers will teach traditional weaving techniques that hearken back thousands of years. There's also a program of talks with celebrity speakers addressing issues facing the Indigenous community. A complete list of events can be found on the Sydney Opera House website.
Pilates had a major moment in Sydney in 2025, from the runaway popularity of glossy reformer pilates studios to novelty concepts like floating classes held on Bellamy Beach's surf. This year, Studio Red is bringing an innovative spin on the century-old workout: it's paired with a dose of red light therapy. Opening on January 31, Studio Red is rolling out pilates, yoga and HIIT classes in rooms jazzed up with infrared red lights. Besides making a statement, red light therapy speeds up muscle recovery by boosting cellular energy and easing inflammation at the right wavelengths. It's a clever workaround for the inevitable post-class aches, especially in tandem with movement and heat. Pilates might be a low-impact workout, but it's far from low-effort. As a former national powerlifter and bodybuilding athlete, founder Libby Angus folds strength and conditioning into the flow at Studio Red. "Strength training plays a critical role in long-term health. We're able to support movement quality while also addressing strength and bone density, which is something many women don't get enough of in traditional group fitness," Libby says. There are two heated options: an hour of vinyasa yoga or a slightly more intense 50-minute mat pilates session. High-intensity interval training is ideal for busy days — it's the most hardcore offering on the schedule and wraps up in 45 minutes. Expect plenty of weight work and form checks from the instructors here. With intimate groups capped at 12, there's no hiding in the back of the class. Images supplied
Claudia O'Doherty has a lively interest in the natural world. She's cowritten a book called 100 Facts About Pandas and performed a show called Monsters of the Deep 3D, for example. She also contributed a tale about killer whales to The Penguin Plays Rough Book of Short Stories, is part of a comedy group called Pig Island and premiered this current show at the Imperial Panda Festival earlier in the year. Its premise is that this is the TV show 'they' won't let O'Doherty make, and she takes audiences on a condensed tour of all 26 projected hours of the series and quite a long way into the personal life of a nearly unbearably intense and awkward character. The performance's accoutrements include water, cake, lasers, the most unflattering pair of pants possible, a cold sore and a much-maligned offstage technician named Suze. It's absurd in a totally deadpan way that makes the audience nervous as to whether this might be for real at the same time as they're certain that it isn't. O'Doherty's stage presence is naive and not exactly scientifically rigorous, but the show is as clever as can be.
UPDATE: July 6, 2020: Seberg is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Sorry, fans of Twilight — the most fascinating thing about the terrible vampire franchise is the haunted look in Kristen Stewart's eyes. If you were being particularly unkind to the blockbuster saga that catapulted her to superstardom, you might incorrectly call that expression boredom, but the same gaze has lingered in much of the actor's work since she stopped cuddling up to a fanged Robert Pattinson. It's the look of someone grappling with deep-seated uncertainty and conflict — that is, the type of character that has marked Stewart's superb post-Twilight roles in Clouds of Sils Maria, Personal Shopper and Certain Women. And, after a big-budget detour through Charlie's Angels' average action antics, plus dismal Alien ripoff Underwater, it's an expression she once again sports with purpose and potency in biopic Seberg. Jean Seberg, the American actor plucked from a talent search by director Otto Preminger when she was still a teenager, then cast in the starring role of Joan of Arc in her very first film, also had that same look. It's evident in her famed debut performance in 1957's Saint Joan, in her melancholy turn in Preminger's Bonjour Tristesse, and in French new wave masterpiece Breathless, the movie that cemented her place in cinema history. As Seberg shows through Stewart's dynamic yet quietly anguishedportrayal, however, that gaze became a constant off-camera as well. Focusing on a mere sliver of her career, rather than charting its eponymous figure's birth-to-death story, this engaging, intriguing thriller illustrates why a star who was acclaimed and adored across two continents came to brandish such inner sorrow — and why that, and not her career highlights, has earned this involving film's attention. Charting scandals of both the political and personal kind, infuriating government espionage and America's heated racial divisions, this twisty true tale was always going to make it the big screen. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood's fading heyday — the same period that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood chronicled so well so recently — it's the story of a woman punished, like the causes she fought to support, for refusing to remain in her place. Seberg is already an international star when the movie that bears her surname begins. It's 1968 and, following her first big roles, she has spent almost a decade setting up a life in Paris. At the urging of her agent (Stephen Root), she flies back to the US to make a few undemanding genre movies, only to fall afoul of the FBI as soon as she steps onto the tarmac. Seberg's crime? Being sympathetic to Black Power activist Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie) while they're in the air, joining him in a raised-fist salute when they hit the ground and — despite the fact that she has a husband (Yvan Attal) and Jamal has a wife (Zazie Beetz) — falling into bed with her new friend as well. Already surveilling Jamal, the FBI starts bugging Seberg too, tasking tech-savvy newcomer Jack Solomon (O'Connell) and heavy-handed veteran Carl Kowalski (Vince Vaughn) with listening in on her every move. As she donates to Jamal's civil rights efforts, using her status to draw attention to his cause, the government decides that she's an enemy. Through the tabloids, she's also easy to torment, discredit and destroy publicly. As the FBI's tactics ramp up, Seberg understandably reacts, while Solomon questions the morality of this state-sanctioned persecution. It's by no means a criticism of O'Connell that his storyline proves Seberg's weakest link. Whether his character is eavesdropping on his target or arguing with his medical student wife (Margaret Qualley) about his long hours, the Skins breakout turned '71 and Money Monster star is reliably excellent — but his part of the narrative always feels superfluous. In a tale about law enforcement secretly and maliciously harassing a real-life famous actor because the powers-that-be dislike her political affiliations, it's the victim that's of far greater interest, not the agony felt by one of the fictionalised perpetrators. That's doubly the case with an iconic figure such as Seberg and with such a tragic true story, something that screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse (The Aftermath) occasionally seem to forget. That said, O'Connell's character does serve an important purpose, anchoring the film's visual approach. By giving Solomon's work-mandated spying such prominence, Australian filmmaker Benedict Andrews (Una) and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Mudbound) give their movie an observational air, like it's surreptitiously peering at Seberg's most intimate moments as well. And that look and feel is essential. Helped by top-notch production and costume design — Seberg's hilltop Los Angeles house is all windows, boxing her into a glass cage above the world, for example — Seberg steals a meaningful glimpse at the woman behind the celebrity, smears and scrutiny. It stares deeply and carefully, seeing that haunted look that Stewart wears so commandingly, and demonstrating why that tortured gaze says everything about Jean Seberg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANJZWxsQ8Ag
It's a great time to be a film fan. We live in a golden age of blockbusters, spanning multimillion-dollar creations of all shapes and sizes. 2022 saw Top Gun: Maverick break the box office and blow our minds with its mach-one machinations, Minions: The Rise of Gru become an internet phenomenon, and audiences went diving deep into the multiverse via head-spinners like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Cinemas are the place to be, and if you thought 2022 was big, you're not ready for what awaits in the new year. The next few months contain some huge blockbuster beasts, as any partner, friend or parent of a film fan will have already started hearing about. With that in mind, we've teamed up with HOYTS Cinemas to create a gift guide for the movie buff in your life — matching the upcoming titles your loved ones are excited about with the perfect presents. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: HOYTS GIFT CARD If you know somebody who is excited for this film, firstly, can you blame them? It's likely going to be among the biggest titles of both 2022 and 2023. A sequel to James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, Avatar: The Way of Water once again stars Australia's own Sam Worthington opposite Zoe Saldaña. Picking up ten years after the original, it follows the growing Sully family and the challenges they continue to face. What better gift for somebody waiting to return to Pandora than a HOYTS Gift Card, which they can use to cover the full experience, 3D screenings, snacks and all? In the case of Avatar, 3D is a must-see. Think: the big screen (Xtremescreen-level big), impressive surround sound, comfy recliners and a hefty bucket of popcorn (or luxury in-seat dining), perfect for a summer movie behemoth. HOYTS gift cards cover it all, and can be purchased online or at any HOYTS cinema. I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY: SINGING LESSONS The latest in Hollywood's lineup of major music biopics, I Wanna Dance With Somebody tells the story of 'The Voice' herself, Whitney Houston, from her rise to stardom in the mid-70s to her chart-topping hits of the 90s. Directed by Harriet's Kasi Lemmons, it stars Naomi Ackie as Houston, Stanley Tucci as record producer Clive Davis and Ashton Sanders as her husband Bobby Brown. If Houston's legendary pipes are constantly blaring in your household, it may be time for your resident superfan to work on their own singing skills. The musical maestros at Sydney Voice Studio offer a wide range of courses for every age and experience level, including a free four-week introduction course that lets participants explore the potential of their voice and latent singing skills. Give someone a new hobby and accompanying confidence with a gift voucher to use on a course of their choice. PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH: CATMOSPHERE GIFT VOUCHER Everyone knows Puss in Boots from his appearances in the Shrek franchise, plus his solo big-screen outing in 2011. You may have also heard that he's returning for another ride in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In the latest animated trip to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, Puss — voiced by the velvet-smooth Antonio Banderas — is down to the last of his nine lives, and must battle fairy-tale bounty hunters over a star with the power to grant a single wish. If you know a kiddo (or grown-up Shrek fan, no shame in that) who has this on their watchlist, we have the perfect pressie. In Surry Hills, Puss in Boots fans (and any cat person) can find their dream day out at Catmosphere. As Sydney's original Cat Cafe, it offers multiple cat-centric cafe experiences, plus activities like cat yoga. The venue's residents span all breeds and ages, as sourced from rescue groups — and they live there permanently. There are age requirements for some activities, but most cat fans will find themselves accommodated. Gift cards are available online for all experiences and price ranges. BABYLON: ACTING CLASSES Thanks to its stacked cast, Oscar-winning director and glitzy premise, Babylon is a must-see for history buffs and film fans alike. Directed by La La Land's Damian Chazelle and starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, it spins a tale of ambition and excess in 1920s Los Angeles. The era was marked by endless growth and celebration across the United States, especially in a seaside town called Hollywood. Any fan of the cast or director is likely a fan of the film industry as a whole. The appeal of Hollywood and stardom beams brightly — and the movie is about actors and showbusiness, after all — so they might want a chance to make a name for themselves. Send them down that road with a voucher for a course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, which offers classes for all ages in ten studios across Sydney. Those classes include acting, directing, comedy, theatre and more, and can be taken face-to-face or online. LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE: SPA DAY PACKAGE Any musical or Broadway appreciator probably has Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile on their radar. The musical comedy is the first film adaptation of the beloved book series about a family who discovers a singing crocodile in the attic of their New York home, and stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu — plus Shawn Mendes as the titular singing crocodile. Pair that with new original music from the songwriters of The Greatest Showman, and there's plenty to get excited about. One thing that Lyle likes just as much as singing: a good bath. Soaking in some bubbles can help wash off almost any burden, whether you're a crocodile or a human. Accordingly, anyone looking forward to the film will appreciate a stint at The Langham Sydney and its famous day spa services. Vouchers can be bought online, and used for the usual range of massages, spas, pedicures and manicures. MAGIC MIKE'S LAST DANCE: DANCING LESSONS It won't be hard to find somebody who's got their eyes on this six-pack movie. Channing Tatum's mesmerising moves as Mike Lane have entranced audiences for a decade now. In Magic Mike's Last Dance, he takes to the stage for one last show, with Salma Hayek Pinault co-starring as a wealthy, mysterious socialite. It could be the last time we see Tatum's hips swing, so let's make it count. Luckily, there's a gift to fill the void that Mike will leave in our hearts. Sydney Vintage Dance is an honoured local institution where anyone who wants to get moving can give it a try. The vintage in the name points to their curriculum, covering historical dances, chair and heel dancing, fitness dancing, burlesque dancing and dancing performances. So, once Mike hangs up his dancing shoes, your loved one can don their own and bring the art of dance into their lives in a whole new way. Know a film fan? Anyone who has mentioned these films? HOYTS is the place to be this summer, with all of the above movies and more hitting its screens. Find your local cinema and its showtimes on the chain's website, and shop for gift vouchers online as well.
Is there such a thing as blockbuster fatigue? Two big shows in Sydney are offering you a way to find out, filling local arts institutions with lines, crowds and the suggestion that this chance to get close to the artefacts is really a once-in-a-lifetime. One features Picasso, the other Harry Potter. Potter may not claim quite the masterpiece status of his cubist forebear, but underlying the saga are some pretty strong ideas. Author of the novels, J.K. Rowling, sculpted Dumbledore from her luminous classics professor TP Wiseman and dropped in strong human rights ideas from her time with Amnesty UK. And the films had a lot of the fire, if less of the humour, from the original novels, with a big chunk coming to Sydney for Harry Potter: The Exhibition. The exhibition showcases props from the films on its only Australian stop, including Dumbledore's wand, plus Harry's and Voldemort's paired pieces. But there's also room to wander around in recreations of the movies' sets, set a hand to mandrake gardening, and get close to some aspects of that reassuringly dangerous sport quidditch. Image by Bill Hails.
Fans of The Handmaid's Tale have had to wait longer than expected for its fourth season, with the dystopian series' next batch of episodes among the many things that were postponed due to the pandemic. But, this coming week, that delay will come to an end — and yes, the word you're looking for is 'finally'. The new season will kick off Down Under on Thursday, April 29, airing weekly on SBS and streaming episodes via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Based on the three trailers so far — a first teaser last year, a second glimpse early in 2021 and a third back in March — you can expect your anxiety levels to ramp up several notches while you're watching. Of course, viewing The Handmaid's Tale has never been a stress-free experience. Given its storyline, that was always going to be absolutely impossible. As seen in the sneak peeks so far, season four will see June (Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man) still battling against Gilead after season three's cliffhanger ending. In fact, after everything that the oppressive regime has done to her and her loved ones — and the ways in which it has changed life for women in general — she's firmly out for justice and revenge. That'll involve taking new risks, but that's what a rebel leader has to do, even if it threatens the relationships that she holds dear. So, that's what you'll be seeing play out on-screen when the new season hits. Fans will be watching where the show's narrative heads for some time to come, too, with a fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale green-lit before the fourth even airs. Toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality doesn't happen quickly, after all. Neither does exploring the tale initially started in Margaret Atwood's 1985 book via an award-winning TV series. Check out the latest season four trailer below: The fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, April 29 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
Brookvale in the Northern Beaches was once best known as an industrial hub, with more warehouses and workshops than hospitality venues. In recent years, however, the suburb has attracted an influx of creatives and makers — and, in particular, it has emerged as a dynamic Sydney destination for craft beer and indie distilleries. Celebrating this bounty of beverages: the first-ever Taste of Brookie Festival. This weekend-long party is packed with savoury bites, craft brews and speciality spirits, showcasing the area's ascent as one of the Harbour City's most up-and-coming hospo spots. From Friday, May 24–Sunday, May 26, local cellar doors are swinging wide open — including at Freshwater Brewing Co, 4 Pines, Bucketty's, Dad & Dave's, 7th Day Brewery, Nomad Brewing Co and Broken Bay Brewing, as well as at Manly Spirits Co, Seadrift Distillery and Goodradigbee Distillers. Taste of Brookie isn't just about great drinks — it's also about community. Expect live music sets and DJs spinning back to back bangers, as well as special menus, street eats, and a range of fun activities from cocktail masterclasses and petting zoos to car boot sales and even a chicken nugget festival. Other highlights include a roller rink and bobbing for apples at Manly Spirits Co, a bottomless brunch at Freshwater Brewing to celebrate the launch of its new craft ale Send It, lobster rolls with no-to-low alcohol cocktails at Seadrift, and chocolate and whiskey pairings alongside cheese and wine tastings at Goodradigbee Distillers. With events and pop-ups taking over the entire footprint of Brookvale's former industrial estate, there's something for everyone, including the kids and your four-legged friends. Entry to all venues is free (although many events and activities have a charge), and visitors can access an interactive digital passport to guide their journey and make the most of the weekend's stacked lineup.
The Museum of Contemporary Art's monthly ARTBAR has become a firm fixture on Sydney's after-dark cultural calendar. Featuring a new curator each time, ARTBAR combines art, music, design and performance on the last Friday of every month. After knocking off work, head down to Circular Quay for a big dose of art, a splash of wine and your choice of fun-filled activities — with the added bonus of panoramic views of the harbour from the Sculpture Terrace. This month, the MCA is buddying up with photographer, videographer, performance and installation artist Eric Bridgeman for Yal Kuna (My Mates) = Blessed, a night about friends and relationships. Bridgeman hails from Brisbane, and creates art about his friends and family exploring major themes such as identity, social performance and cultural taboos. His art will be on display in the form of paintings, GIFs and 1930s crooner songs for you and your mates. Bring some friends with you for an evening of great art — and don't forget to drag them into the styling booth for some fashion tips on the way out. By Siobhan Ryan with Annie Murney.
Opera Bar, with its front row harbourside seat, has been one of the top spots for New Year's Eve in Sydney for an age — and this year will be no exception. Sitting front and centre for the multimillion-dollar fireworks, Opera Bar's NYE party involves big hair, Donna Summer vibes and mirror balls. The party is Studio 54 themed, so pop on your highest platforms, don your finest flares and head down to this lively NYC-style disco den. Keen to ring in the new decade by boogying beside Sydney Harbour? There'll be tunes from party group Bermuda Social, Stax-style soul band The Soulphonics, local electro duo Ctrl Alt Delicious and DJ Natural Selector. Of course, it wouldn't be a celebratory occasion without fine French bubbly, which is why there'll be a Veuve Clicquot pop-up bar on the night, keeping you suitably soused. There'll also be a slushie bar where you can pick up an ice-cold miami vice, pina colada or strawberry daiquiri. Or, opt for a beer, wine or spirit from the usual bar menu. And so you can line your stomach, there'll be a popcorn machine and a Brooklyn Boy Bagel bar on site, plus retro American snacks such as pretzels and corndogs on offer all night. Tickets are a cool $499.50 (including booking fee) and cover all the snacks, dance-worthy tunes and sweeping views you could ever hope for, but do not include drinks. Doors open at 6pm and the event runs till well past midnight. New Year's Eve at Opera Bar starts from 6pm. Tickets are limited and can be bought here.
Lords, ladies, history buffs and fantasy fans alike, rejoice: St Ives' medieval fair is returning for a sixth year. The weekend festival will transform St Ives Showground into Medieval Europe with immersive encampments which represent seven centuries of history: the Vikings, Byzantines, Crusades, the Hundred Years War, the Wars of the Roses and into the 17th Century. To complete the experience, a plethora of historical recreations will take place including the only solid lance jousting event in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring European and Australian jousting masters — yes, people still joust. The program also includes a Trebuchet catapult, markets, traditional folk music, longbow archery demonstrations and displays in which trained birds of prey recreate the medieval practice of hawking and falconry. If all that makes you thirsty, grab a serve of mead or craft brew from tavern, which is open from 11am–5pm daily. The public is encouraged to come in costume, so polish your armour, don your finest cloak and prepare for a weekend of royal revelry. See you thither.
The Odd Culture Group (The Old Fitz, The Duke of Enmore, The Oxford Tavern) is bringing its love for odd and interesting food and drink to its latest Inner West venue through a series of extravagant meals. The group's much-hyped King Street wine bar and restaurant Odd Culture will host an event series dedicated to tastes and culinary techniques from off the beaten track. Oddity is kicking off on Thursday, October 20 with its inaugural event featuring a five-course dinner centred around drinks from French natural wine haven Loire Valley. Your guide for the night will be Loire Valley's Paul Hervy of Brix Fine Wines, taking you through some of his favourite drops from the region. Just some of the culinary delights on the menu include Sydney rock oysters, pork terrine, confit pork, fromage frais, fish dumplings in lobster sauce, aged roast duck and artichoke with foie gras — all carefully paired with wines from the likes of Julien Courtois' Clos de la Bruyere and Clos de l'Elu. There are 40 seats available for the night, with an all-inclusive booking setting you back $150 per person. There are more iterations of Oddity planned for the future, with Odd Culture promising no two events will be the same. [caption id="attachment_868444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption]
Lower north shore institution The Oaks has taken a leap into its next phase, launching stage one of a huge makeover, which will see three distinct new offerings opening before the end of the year. First to welcome revellers is Taffy's, a sports bar that's heavy on pop culture and sports references, and ready to carve out its own chapter in The Oaks' 133-year history. Inside Taffy's, you'll find enough screens to satisfy all your sports viewing needs, and the decor and vibes to match. Catch a life-size cut-out of cricketing great Richie Benaud, an enormous eight-person foosball table, arcade-style basketball hoops, an air hockey table, pop art murals, vintage sporting memorabilia and novelty beer taps — think Hulk Hogan, a Nintendo console, a cowboy pistol and Donald Trump. The food offering is classic sports bar fare turned up a notch. Try fried wonton duck nachos ($18); 'disco' fries topped with pepperoni ketchup, cheese, pepperoni and aioli ($15); reuben spring rolls packed with pastrami and swiss cheese (four for $19); and a rotating selection of epic foot-long hotdogs, with fillings like chicken parmigiana and peking duck ($17). The 20-tap bar is pouring plenty of beers, including VB, Carlton and Furphy. There'll be regular tap takeovers by local craft beer favourites, too. Even the cocktails have taken a step towards quirky, with options like a smoked barrel-aged negroni ($17), a macadamia and walnut old fashioned ($17) and a sticky-date espresso martini ($18). Keep an eye out for the bar's namesake, David 'Taffy' Thomas, who at the age of 85 can still be found behind the bar pulling schooners.
Chin Chin built its name on punchy Southeast Asian fusion cuisine, with the Sydney outpost carrying on the Melbourne original's legacy since 2017. Now the famed restaurant is hosting a one-night-only collab with Four Pillars, featuring a gin-fuelled dinner on Wednesday, August 13, stacked with knock-out cocktail pairings. Complementing Chin Chin's beloved four-course Feed Me selection, the night kicks off with a Disco Is 4 Eva cocktail. Its yuzu and passionfruit burst is the ideal match for kingfish sashimi and prawn and ginger dumplings. Up next, the Tamarind Southside offers a sweet-tart blend, combining dry gin, tamarind caramel, lime and mint. It goes down a treat paired with roasted pork belly and roasted pumpkin served with peanut satay. Then, it's time for the Bang Bang Bloody Shiraz, a spicy number concocted from Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, tequila, and hot and sour sauce. Married with chicken khao soi and a mixed leaf salad brimming with fresh Asian herbs, expect a curious combo overflowing with citrus and peppery notes. Of course, you can't depart without dessert — in this case, it comes with a double dose of gin. Here, the Mango Sticky Rice cocktail, featuring toasted rice-infused yuzu gin, is served alongside a coconut sago brimming with Four Pillars Negroni Gin ripple ice cream and rhubarb candied pink grapefruit.
There comes a time when each of us wants an upgrade: to take a grown-up step away from flat-packed, ready-made living and start turning that ‘Dream House’ Pinterest collection into a reality. Beachside hut, slick city unit or terrace house in the leafy ‘burbs – whatever your style, Concrete Playground has the pick of Sydney’s best interior (and a little bit of exterior) design stores right here. So you can put away that IKEA catalogue, pronto. Chee Soon & Fitzgerald Stocking both local and international designers like Georg Jenson, Artemide and Marimekko, as well as their own brand CSF, this Crown Street store is known for its modern decorative fabrics, wallpaper and lighting. They also provide a custom design service in store for all sorts of soft furnishings like lamp shades, rugs and throws. 387 Crown Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9360 1031 Clothfabric Whether you're covering your bed, sofa, tables or walls, Clothfabric has handmade pieces from local craftsmen who use local materials. They design all of their items from a 'surf' tea towel and 'seaweed chalk' cushions to abstract wallpaper and floral bed linen. 35 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9699 2266 Corporate Culture From tables to beds, lighting and acoustics Corporate Culture in Chippendale has everything to make your house designer from top to bottom. With designers from Arne Jacobsen to Hiromichi Konno you will definitely find something to fit your style. 21-23 Levey Street (off Buckland Street), Chippendale; (02) 9690 0077 David Met Nicole Vintage amazingness is what can be found at David Met Nicole with quirky pieces from the UK, France and America. Mannequins, world globes, clocks, furniture is what you will find from the 1900s to the 1950s. 382 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9698 7416 Dust For lovers of antiques and bric-a-brac, Dust is the place to be for all things unique. From headdresses, taxidermy and chandeliers to vases, lamps and artworks. 381 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst; (02) 9332 2854 Elements I Love Genuine vintage furniture and homewares collected from France and India, including ornate antique wooden doors, cast iron chandeliers and brass keys (in case you've lost your own, obviously). Personally, we're coveting the delicately (and lovingly) string-bound, battered and fraying paperbacks in the store window. 2/276 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9698 8884 Great Dane Great Dane, located in Redfern is a mix of modern and classic Scandinavian designs from furniture to accessories and lighting. Brands include And Tradition, De Vorm, NUD Collection and many more creative designers to choose from to give your home a Scandinavian edge. Slick, modern Scandinavian and Danish interior designs, from hand-crafted timber chairs and coffee tables to oak and walnut work tables and lightweight metal, timber and plexi shelving. 613 Elizabeth Street, Redfern; 0417 279 548 Hub With an array of designers that will help you fit out every nook and cranny of your living quarters Hub lives up to its name for all your furniture needs. A focus on chairs, lighting, living and floor coverings from designers across the globe such as Fatboy, Skitsch, Celine Wright and David Mellor. 66-72 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9217 0700 Ici et La Ici et La has an abundance of all things Francaise - deck chairs, striped fabrics, French garden furniture and accessories. Pieces are continually shipped from France which means there is always something new that may be perfect for your home. 7 Nickson Street, Surry Hills; (02) 8399 1173 Jardan All designed and made in Melbourne, Jardan has a wide range of sofas, chairs, tables and beds that are custom made through a family owned and run company. 650 Botany Road, Alexandria; (02) 9693 2288 Koskela At Koskela, owners Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky have a philosophy to produce environmentally-friendly, sustainable furniture that is also beautiful. All of the stock at their Rosebery warehouse store, including wooden kitchen stools or a classic timber base sofa, are designed by Koskela and, where possible, made from reclaimed timbers. They also sell inspired wicker light frames, loom rugs and a colourful range of recyclable polyethylene stools for your garden or balcony. 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery; (02) 9280 0999 Latitude If your idea of a dream pad involves white-washed pine, wicker chairs and fleece blankets for curling up after a day at the beach - Latitude in Manly is the interior design store for you. Here, inspiration is drawn from chic, contemporary beachside living. Whether or not you have the beach view, you can certainly kit out your home to feel like you do. 12 Sydney Road, Manly; (02) 9976 5623 Living Edge Living Edge is Australian owned offering beautifully designed furniture from around the world with a mix of iconic and classic pieces. Priding themselves on the most carefully chosen pieces offering a huge range of pieces for your home or office. Designers such as Charles & Ray Eames, Mark Newson, Pierre Paulin are just a few of the names you will be able to find architecturally sound space. 74 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9640 5600 Macleay on Manning With brands in store like Missoni, Fornasseti, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Bouvier and Jasper Conran (and many more besides), Macleay on Manning is interior design with a little va va voom. From modern classics like Andy Warhol prints on your crockery to eery ghost-like faces engraved into the bottom of your whiskey glass, owners Jill and Rod Ordish have handpicked both local and international designs in furniture, art, jewellery and books, among other homeware treats. 1/85 Macleay Street, Potts Point; (02) 9331 4100 Object Gallery Celebrating the work of Australian designers, Object Gallery provides a sales platform for as many as 200 different artists and designers each year. The Surry Hills shop stocks an eclectic mix of ceramics, fabrics, glass, and other gifts and home knick knacks. 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9361 4511 Orson & Blake If you prefer your furniture with bold prints, adventurous colour and that luxurious feel, Orson & Blake in Surry Hills is likely to have a sofa, cushion set or canvas painting to suit your style. Stocking almost everything you'd need to kit out your home, from leopard print, cowhide or shiny gold ottomans (yes please!) to your own wicker hanging chair: they have it all. 483 Riley Street, Surry Hills; (02) 8399 2525 Planet Planet prides itself on simple designs and sustainably-sourced natural fibres like oak coffee tables, muslin lampshades and oversized jute rugs. They stock a solid collection of ceramics, textiles, lighting and those big investment pieces of furniture, like a strong oak frame bed. It's like the antidote to IKEA. 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9211 5959 Seasonal Concepts Stepping into the wonderland that is Seasonal Concepts, in Redfern, will feel every bit like you've stumbled upon an indoor marketplace. There's a vast collection of varied and unique items, everything from antique and retro furniture to a taxidermy peacock. Pick up truly one-off, pre-loved items (quick) before someone else gets there first. 122 Redfern Street, Redfern; (02) 8399 2435 Space Space has a huge variety of creative pieces from designers and brands from around the world such as Fiam Italia, Roll & Hill and Triangolo. The showroom is big and has something for every room and taste. 84 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria; (02) 8339 7588 Shelf/Life Simple, elegant products and homeware designs with a conscience. Shelf/life carefully sources handmade, local and ethically produced stationery, kitchen accessories, gifts and ornaments to decorate your home with products that have been designed to outlive the trends. Shop 1, 50 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9211 2858 Vampt Vintage Design At their main showroom in Surry Hills, you’ll find one off vintage and retro pieces like a teak boomerang sofa table, 1960s ‘futuristic’ chairs, an Art Deco drinks cabinet, and even Danish Tivoli pendant lights by the very same Jorn Utzon who designed Sydney Opera House. 486-490 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9699 1089 Wall Candy Wallpaper Delicious, fun, playful or simple, elegant and classic. This store has a never-ending collection of Wall Candy wallpaper designs: floral, geometric, striped - you name it, and we betcha, they have every colour. 420 Crown Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9331 5884 Workshopped Like an exhibition in upcoming Australian designers, Workshopped has been supporting and selling locally designed homewares and home accessories for over a decade. Inject some fun and flamboyance in your home with some quirky, playful products like Takeshi Iue's Japanese-style fruit bowl which elegantly fans out like a flower, or a porcelain fish bowl inspired by George Orwell's 1984, offering your goldfish a touch more privacy than the average cylindrical glass bowl. 2/8 Hill Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9146 4353 Words by Emma Joyce & Jane Fayle
Sydneysiders are almost spoilt for choice when it comes to art and creative culture. The Sydney International Art Series aims to contribute further to the glut of goodness that we experience by bringing some of the most influential works from around the globe to our shores. The 2016/17 series is no different — it bridges the gap between the East and West art worlds, delivering some of Europe's most famous (and infamous) nude artworks to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and curating an exhibition by Tatsuo Miyajima, one of Japan's seminal contemporary artists, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Art Series also offers the Art Pass, where culture hounds can purchase a $37 ticket that grants access to both exhibitions, and can be used at your own convenience — you can just rock up and see the art, providing the exhibitions are still running. With so much on offer at both spaces, make the most of the ticket by checking out everything there is to see. In the spirit of soaking in as much culture as $37 can buy, here's a little list to get you started. HEAD TO THE AGNSW AND SEE SOME NUDES Bodies. We've all got one, but we all still seem to be fascinated with looking at other peoples', and artists are no exception to this rule. In fact, they're probably the main contributors. This collection of studies into the bare human form — aptly titled Nude — comes to the Art Gallery of New South Wales directly from London's Tate Gallery. The exhibition is a multimedia experience, with pieces ranging from Picasso's paintings, to Rodin's sculpture and Dijkstra's photography. In the case of Rodin's The Kiss, it's actually its first sojourn outside of Europe, so it's definitely worth feasting your eyes upon. MOVE ON TO TATSUO MIYAJIMA Tatsuo Miyajima is one of Japan's premiere artists, and his stint at the MCA with his exhibition Connect With Everything marks his first outing to Australia. He brings with him a vast array of his works — which range from sculpture to performance, but all are expressions of his three core philosophies: keep changing, connect with everything, and continue forever. Miyajima aims to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western thought, in terms of our relationships with the universe and the phenomena within it. Included in this exhibition is Mega Death, Miyajima's stark reminder of the industrial waste of human life in the last century, and humanity's ability to rebuild again. SIP ON SOME SAKE AT THE CHERRY BLOSSOM BAR Paying homage to Miyajima's motherland, the MCA has created a lovely little pop-up bar to coincide with his exhibition. The bar will provide an array of snacks like edamame, gyoza, cauliflower tempura and chicken rib karaage, as well as bigger eats like their bento box with yuzu sake and ponzu-cured salmon, gyoza and slow-cooked duck leg on a sesame rice cracker. There's also an impressive selection of whisky and sake cocktails, which has been specially curated by QT's booze boss Jared Thibault. As well as the Japanese theme being evident in the food and drinks, the Cherry Blossom Bar has also been transformed into a secret garden of sorts, with the flowers forming a delicate canopy over the harbourside space, which is dotted with Japanese lanterns. The effect is that the visitor is transported into the world of Miyajima's Japan, all from the setting of Circular Quay. SIT DOWN FOR LUNCH AT CHISWICK IN THE AGNSW Matt Moran's flagship restaurant at Woollahra has had its own incarnation at the Art Gallery of New South Wales for nearly two years, and although the two spaces maintain elements of similarity, the Art Gallery version has created a name for itself as a unique, casually-high-end destination for art lovers and foodies alike. The menu focuses on fresh, local produce with a mind that leans towards the sustainable, without the sacrifice of quality. With starters like grilled octopus with cucumber, kohlrabi and harissa, and classic mains like the Moran family's slow-cooked lamb, there's an excellent mix of options available for diners of all taste, and the ludicrously extensive wine collection has something for everyone. EXPLORE THE AGNSW AFTER HOURS Art After Hours runs every Wednesday night, giving regular working Joes the opportunity to catch some mid week culture and sip a drink at the gallery's pop-up bar. As well as showcasing the existing collection, Art After Hours also organises weekly lectures and performances, film screenings and tours to reveal absolutely everything on display at the gallery. Coinciding with the nude artworks coming across the pond from the Tate, a number of the events will broach the topic of nude art and its place in the canon, including Nude Fictions, where writers will share their experiences of the exhibitions. TAKE YOURSELF TO A MEDITATION WORKSHOP If there's one thing we can all relate to it's that underlying notion of being never-endingly busy. We live in a world where technology develops at an exponential rate, where we always have somewhere to be, where we never have enough time. The MCA and The School of Life have teamed up to develop a series of workshops that aims to take the students out of this bubble through the practice of mindful meditation. Inspired by Miyajima's philosophies, workshop leader Steve Pozel will equip participants with a scientific understanding of how mindfulness affects the body, and how meditation can help the mind to grow. Best to book in advance for this one as spaces are limited. Sign up for an Art Pass and take yourself on a cultural tour of Sydney for $37.
These days, a meal isn't just a meal. It's a bubbling, troubling cauldron of ethical, environmental and health dilemmas. Are genetically modified foods okay or not? Is eating meat an immoral act? Should you quit sugar? A new mini talks fest, to inaugurate at the Sydney Opera House on 14 July, is dedicated to these and other food-related issues. The Fixing Food Festival will kick off at midday, with a panel made up of I Quit Sugar author Sarah Wilson, indigenous food expert Jody Orcher and CSIRO research scientist Professor Grant Brinkworth. They'll be discussing the $64 million question: what should I eat? Reformed anti-GMO activist Mark Lynas will take the floor at 1.45pm to deliver a solo talk titled GMO: No Way or OK? Lynas is an interesting one — in 2013, he publicly apologised for having prevented GMO trials and has since worked in Africa and Asia with scientists who use the organisms to help independent farmers. Wrapping things up at 3.30pm will be a talk from British writer Louise Gray, who wrote The Ethical Carnivore after spending a year eating only animals she killed with her own two hands. Along the way, she explored slaughterhouses, halal meat, roadkill and alternative proteins, such as insects. You'll have to buy tickets to each event separately, with the talks coming in at $39 each. Tickets to the panel are $55 but include a lunch box salad filled with native ingredients, including kangaroo, bush tomatoes, bush nuts and finger lime dressing. Image: Leticia Almeida.
Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Third Season will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 21, and the best way to enjoy Boardwalk Empire is to be the Boardwalk Empire. Okay, so you cannot really become a boardwalk or an empire but you can look like you belong in the show by heading to Cleveland's Salon & Cafe, who are celebrating the impending release by offering a Boardwalk Empire-inspired haircut menu. (Note that they are not offering food filled with hair but rather a menu of haircuts to choose a style from.) For $70, men can choose from eight dapper hairstyles, including Nucky Thompson's classic deep parted short back and sides and Mickey Doyle's undercut with high side part and length. They can also get a smooth cutthroat shave for an additional $20, which is always worth it. Women can choose from two elegant styles for $85: Margaret Thompson's low side chignon with pinned loose curls or Gillian Darmody's low side bun with loose marcel waves. All cuts come with a complimentary drink — take that prohibition. It is all part of the salon's partnership with HBO to promote the release. Patrick Casey, the salon director, said "Boardwalk Empire, and more generally the 1920s era, is having a massive impact on grooming and style of today". It is for a limited time only so glam yourself up and get your gangster on whilst the '20s are still on the style palette.
Battleship is a movie based on a board game. That mightn't seem all that strange at first, given how often we see films based on video games these days, but then you stop for a moment and realise: board games don't have plots. Admittedly the absence of plot has never stopped Hollywood before, but it still threw up a mighty challenge to whoever was the hapless screenwriter tasked with adapting nothing into something: "What’s my source material, boss?" "Well, we've got an instruction pamphlet, a few pieces of plastic and … actually yeah, that's it. Good luck buddy." The only other time it's ever been attempted was 1985's Clue, based on the popular Hasbro board game Cluedo, yet despite its impressive cast, that film was neither a financial nor critical success. Then, of course, there was 1995's Jumanji; however, that was a movie about a board game, not based on one, and it wasn't all that crash hot either. So what's to be made of Battleship, the $200 million movie based on the board game Battleship? Those who've played it before might recall such memorable lines as: "C-9…….miss" and "B-11……miss", and it probably won't come as too great a surprise to learn that Battleship the movie doesn't offer up a whole lot more in the dialogue department. At one point, for example, our hero whispers the classic line, "I've got a bad feeling about this" — despite the fact that by the time "this" has happened, the Earth's already been invaded, Hong Kong's been decimated, his two accompanying naval destroyers have both been sunk, his brother's been killed and he's been trapped inside a giant alien force field for the better part of the morning. What Battleship does deliver, however, is some seriously impressive action sequences and one jaw-dropping special effect after another (think 'Transformers on water', minus the Shia Labeouf and plus the Rihanna). In simplest terms (the only ones available here), aliens invade Earth near Hawaii, and the only people in place to stop them are the US and Japanese navies taking part in some friendly war games. Earth's hero is played by Taylor Kitsch (last not seen in John Carter): a brash, young naval officer dating the supermodel daughter of Fleet Commander Liam Neeson (in a categorical 'pay-check performance' kind of cameo). The film also features True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard, a rock-heavy soundtrack dominated largely by AC/DC and a WWII battleship that at one point pulls a handbrake turn. And that's pretty much it. Seriously. It's an utterly dumb movie, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't also loads of fun to watch.
It's Groundhog Day The Musical — and it's finally making its way to the Australian stages ten years after it was first announced. Back in 2014, Australian comedian, musician, actor and writer Tim Minchin (Upright) revealed that he was making a song-filled onstage version of the Bill Murray-starring classic comedy. Then, the end result premiered in London in 2016. Next came Broadway in 2017, with 2024 marking Australia's turn. Prepare for plenty of déjà vu in Melbourne from January. Feeling like you've been there and seen this comes with the territory with this production, of course, given that that's what the story is all about. Obviously, you've probably seen the film. In fact, you've likely done so more than once. Still, when Groundhog Day The Musical hits Princess Theatre from Wednesday, January 24–Sunday, April 21, 2024, this'll be Aussie theatregoers' first chance to catch the stage show on home soil. The tale remains the same, with Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Connors tasked with travelling to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day event — and none too happy about it, oozing cynicism as everyone else around him embraces the occasion. After a cantankerous day, he wakes up the next morning to find that everything is repeating again. And, that's how every day continues, no matter what he does or how he tries to tinker with the cycling routine. On the big screen (and on VHS and streaming queues since), the result proved hilarious, and also one of Murray's best-ever roles. For the stage iteration, Minchin teamed up with screenwriter Danny Rubin — who originally co-wrote Groundhog Day's movie script and won a BAFTA in the process — plus Minchin's Matilda The Musical director Matthew Warchus. Their theatre efforts earned Groundhog Day The Musical Tony Award nominations, as well Olivier Award wins for Best New Musical and Best Actor. Yes, Groundhog Day The Musical's Australian-premiere season runs across Groundhog Day itself, aka February 2. Yes, you can listen to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' on repeat now to celebrate. And yes, like the musical version of Matilda, this'll likely return to the big screen at some point — but after the Melbourne season. Groundhog Day The Musical comes Down Under exclusive to the Victorian capital — and if you're wondering who'll step into Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) shoes, and Andie MacDowell's (Maid) as Phil's producer Rita Hanson, too, the cast for the show's Australian run hasn't yet been announced. "I have waited seven years for this moment! Groundhog Day The Musical, like Matilda The Musical, has a unique mixture of darkness and light, of head and heart, and of complexity and joy, and I've been convinced since its first iteration that Australians will love it!" said Minchin, announcing the Aussie premiere. "I'm so excited that the run is going to be in Melbourne, the city I lived in when I wrote my breakout comedy shows, and the place where — when things weren't going so well — I learned how important it is to find the beauty and hope in the day to day." "Following its celebrated run at London's Old Vic Theatre, where it broke all box office records, I couldn't be happier to be bringing Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin's musical masterpiece to the Princess Theatre in Melbourne (coincidentally, the very venue which was home to Matilda back in 2016)," added Warchus. "Groundhog Day The Musical, I know, will surprise many people. Perhaps the most joy-filled show I have ever directed, this magical tale of redemption somehow manages to be both a truly hilarious romantic comedy and a profoundly moving and inspiring message of hope. I love the original movie and I love this adaptation. It inspires us to be the best possible versions of ourselves, to break free of our repetitive gloom and to learn how to love life. All that plus a rodent who predicts the weather... what more could you ask for?" Check out the trailer for Groundhog Day The Musical below: Groundhog Day The Musical will premiere at Princess Theatre, 163 Spring Street, Melbourne from Wednesday, January 24–Sunday, April 21, 2024, with tickets on sale from 9am on Friday, October 6 — head to the production's website for further details and to join the ticket waitlist.
Ryan Matthew Smith doesn't just cook and eat food - he spills its, throws it, sets it on fire and then shoots it with a sniper rifle to make sure. He's also a photographer, and has documented these sick culinary experiments in a 2,400 page tome on the subject, Modernist Cuisine: the Art and Science of Cooking. From collating several individual exposures for one delectable cutaway shot of hamburgers on a grill to shooting a lineup of eggs with a sniper rifle at 6200 frames per second, Smith shot 1,400 images for the cookbook/artwork. Despite little experience in studio work, Smith explains in an interview with Feature Shoot that his extensive portfolio of nature and architecture photography helped prepare him for the task. "Having a strong artistic sense towards photography in general can easily transfer through any of the disciplines from advertising all the way to fine art," he says. [via Coolhunting]
Ignite your imagination at IAC 2025 Space Day as LEGO PLAY transforms Darling Harbour into a free intergalactic wonderland on Friday, October 3. Inspiring adults and kids alike to look to the stars and beyond, expect a free, family-friendly festival of space exploration and curiosity. Equipped with myriad building blocks alongside curious characters, ranging from spacewalking astronauts to shape-shifting mutants, guests can spend the day building rovers, shuttles and space stations primed to take a minifig on an interplanetary adventure. Meanwhile, the program is jam-packed with fascinating encounters. Moonwalk into Martin Place to snap a selfie with a 10-metre-tall inflatable astronaut, then take remote control of Roo-Ver — an Aussie-built rover destined for the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis campaign. There's also the chance to meet and greet astronauts, including Australia's first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, alongside a host of other international space leaders. With loads more to explore, IAC 2025 Space Day is ripe for all things celestial fun.
Let's be honest, interstate trips are the perfect budget-friendly breather. You get all your well-deserved downtime, without the fuss of long-distance flying and complicated international travel requirements. These Airbnbs are perfect for just that — with breathtaking views of cities across Australia for the perfect getaway. If you're eagerly planning day trips, weekend getaways and luscious week-long vacations, check out some of the best Airbnbs for the perfect vacation — or staycation — across Australia. Tamarama Panorama, Sydney In keeping with the beachside neighbourhood's "glamarama" reputation, the views from this home's floor-to-ceiling windows are dazzling. You can walk down your outdoor staircase to the beach, or just lay out on the balcony chairs and enjoy the ocean views from up above. From $700 a night, sleeps six. Harbour Hideaway, Sydney The views from this beachfront apartment and its gorgeous porch are hard to beat. If viewing the golden sand and blue water from above wasn't quite enough, the pad also has beach access. From $500 a night, sleeps two. Opera House Views, Sydney Whether you've lived in Sydney your whole life or you're just popping in for the weekend, this condo's jaw-dropping outlook over the city skyline will make you feel like you're seeing it for the first time. From $258 a night, sleeps four. Bondi Beach Ocean View, Sydney Only steps away from Sydney's most famous beach, this condo is close to not only Bondi Beach but also many nearby restaurants, bars and cafes. But its views will probably have you wanting to stay in. From $400 a night, sleeps two. Single-Bedroom Luxury Apartment, Melbourne Perfectly positioned near The Crown in the heart of Melbourne, you can take in pretty much all of the CBD from the floor-to-ceiling windows in this high-rise apartment. From $160 a night, sleeps two. Melbourne Spaceship Penthouse, Melbourne With windows on the walls and ceilings resembling a spaceship cockpit, enjoy an unmatched 270-degree view of Melbourne. From $258 a night, sleeps two. Breathtaking CBD Views, Melbourne Also conveniently located in Melbourne's CBD, the views from this apartment's bedroom are absolutely breathtaking. From $143 a night, sleeps four. Stylish Waterfront Apartment, Melbourne With utilities such as a gym, swimming pool and BBQ area all available, this property is a peaceful waterfront oasis — and only a free tram ride from Melbourne's bustling city centre. From $150 a night, sleeps two. Million Dollar Views, Brisbane Surprisingly, the real selling point of this high-rise apartment isn't its central location or its nice interior finishings, but the view from the apartment complex's rooftop pool. From $221 a night, sleeps four. Stylish One Bedroom, Brisbane Centrally-located and modern, the skyline views from this apartment and its roof will make even Brisbane locals feel like they're on a luxury vacation. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Riverview 29th Floor Apt, Brisbane Located in the heart of South Brisbane, treat yourself to stunning city views from the apartment, balcony, or rooftop infinity pool. From $205 a night, sleeps three. City View, Perth Slide open the glass doors after a long day exploring the city and enjoy the sunset over Perth from your living room. From $200 a night, sleeps two. Cottesloe Beach View, Perch Just steps from one of the most popular beaches in Western Australia, the ocean views are the star of this apartment. From $410 a night, sleeps four. French Farmhouse, Perth Craving a nature immersion? This pad is for the traveller whose ideal vacation involves forgetting about the outside world altogether. With a foliage-covered courtyard outside its windows, this rustic townhouse will help you forget about the existence of the city centre a mere five minutes away. From $200 a night, sleeps four. Glenelg Beachfront Apartment, Adelaide With arguably the best waterfront views on this list, this apartment gets up-close and personal with Glenelg Beach. But, just in case you get tired of the unrestricted views, there is plenty to do nearby in Adelaide's CBD. From $405 a night, sleeps four. Pearl, Adelaide A cosy and bright beachfront cottage, this recently renovated designer property boasts a sea view that can be enjoyed from the open lounge and kitchen or stone patio that leads directly onto the dunes. From $336 a night, sleeps four. Asri Garden Studio, Adelaide For secluded garden views, check out this tranquil studio inspired by Japanese and Balinese design. It's all about nature: nestled into a secluded garden and designed to incorporate natural materials and natural light. From $200 a night, sleeps two. View Studio, Hobart The best way to end an action-packed day in Hobart? Taking in the epic views of the city's lights from the bath in this Airbnb's master suite. From $235 a night, sleeps two. Tiny House Tasmania, Hobart For those looking to experience the tiny home craze, a trip to Hobart may be the perfect opportunity. This home overlooks the Derwent River and notably features an outdoor bathtub perfect for a relaxing evening after a day spent exploring. From $195 a night, sleeps two. Mountain View Retreat, Hobart If you prefer to get your outdoor fix in the mountains, this cosy mountainside retreat is only minutes away from Hobart — but has stunning views. From $140 a night, sleeps two. Marina Views, Darwin Enjoy this property's stellar view of the marina from its all-day shaded balcony, to keep you out of Darwin's heat. From $180 a night, sleeps four. Harbourfront Escape, Darwin This apartment right on Darwin's harbour will give visitors the perfect taste of Darwin's coastal life: explore during the day — or night — and then returning to the complex's outdoor pool and sunset views. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Opulent Ocean View Townhouse, Darwin Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this townhouse boasts waterfront views in a prime location in Darwin's Stuart Park. Suitable for families or for a private getaway, you can switch off in this spacious stay and soak in the gorgeous sunrises — or sunsets — by the pool. From $481 a night, sleeps eight. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb
Two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Sydney, involving a man in his 50s and his wife — and, as a result, the New South Wales Government is bringing back a number of restrictions in the Greater Sydney region. Come 5pm today, Thursday, May 6, Sydneysiders will need to scale back their at-home gatherings, and also wear masks in indoor settings. In addition, singing and dancing indoors will be off the cards again. Announced this morning by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the changes only apply to the Greater Sydney area, which includes the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the region down to Illawarra. The new rules will be in effect until 12am on Monday, May 10 morning, too — and the Premier has advised that anyone who can adopt the new restrictions before 5pm today should do so. Within homes in Greater Sydney, only 20 people will be allowed, including children. "We know that transmission in the family home is a high risk," said Premier Berejiklian. She continued: "I appreciate that it's Mother's Day, but we also appreciate that 20 people within the home is manageable for people to celebrate that important day." Outside of the house, masks will be mandatory again in all indoor spaces. That includes public transport, supermarkets, retail stores, theatres and any indoor events. It also applies to workers in the hospitality industry — so, while no space, capacity or patron restrictions are being implemented in cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars as part of these new changes, folks will need to wear masks in hospitality venues for the next three days. And, if you're having a beverage in a bar, you're being asked to sit down. So yes, vertical drinking at pubs, clubs, restaurants and the like has been scrapped again, too. Plus, although dancing has only been back on the cards since late March, it'll be banned in indoor venues once again until Monday. Singing will be as well. At weddings, dance floors will still be able to operate, but they'll only be able to accommodate 20 people at once. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1390115056969404421 Premier Berejiklian said that the NSW Government isn't asking people to change their weekend plans. "Enjoy Mother's Day. Do what you would normally do. This is the opposite approach. We're saying to businesses to keep doors open," she advised. The restrictions are being put back in place after the two new NSW cases occurred in people who haven't been overseas recently, and don't work in hotel quarantine, border or health roles. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that the sequence from the new case matches a case in a returned overseas traveller, but NSW Health hasn't been able to directly connect the two people as yet. "What we're concerned about is that there is a missing link — that there is someone, because there is no direct contact that we've been able to establish yet, between the cases," Dr Chant noted. Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week — and, if you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days after your visit. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Since opening its original store in Granville in 1998, El Jannah has earned cult status for its Lebanese-style charcoal chicken and finger lickin'-good garlic sauce. Now, the legendary chicken joint has an impressive seven outlets under its belt — and counting. El Jannah has won plenty of fans for its charcoal chicken — you can order a whole bird, a half or a quarter, all of which come with pickles and bread. Oh, and that garlic sauce — so irresistible that it's almost single-handedly responsible for El Jannah's rise to Sydney stardom. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find Middle Eastern skewers and shawarma plates, plus chicken burgers and rolls. Sides include bowls of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouli and fattoush. You'll find EL Jannah Granville in our list of the best fried chicken in Sydney. Check out the full list here. Appears in: The Best Fried Chicken in Sydney for 2023
Pecans, pretzels, chocolate chip cookie crumbs, both chocolate and caramel syrups, whipped cream, cherries and rainbow sprinkles — and no less than 16 scoops of icecream. 'MUUUUURICA. Yours for a cheeky $100, the 'Kitchen Sink' sundae is the latest monstrosity from New York City joint Bubby's High Line. Apparently this mountainous beast's supposed to serve eight to ten hungry humans (but more likely to be ordered by groups of four max), this behemoth confection is next level indulgence and almost guaranteed cardiac arrest. But wait, no sparklers? If you're not feeling the whole 16-scooper, there's a $50 'Little Kitchen Sink' with half the scoops. That's still 50 nuggets for basically ice cream and a cute little flag. Seriously, if I'm going to throw down a pineapple for an out-of-the-punnet dessert, it'd better be scientifically-crafted into a freakin' Messina mushroom. Disney World's not going to be happy with Bubby's High Line, as the theme park's Beaches and Cream parlour has been churning out a colossal and literal 'Kitchen Sink' sundae since the '90s. These are the ingredients for Disney's WTF best-seller: ½ cup fudge topping, warmed ½ cup butterscotch topping, warmed ½ cup peanut butter topping, warmed 1 medium banana 1 cinnamon spice cupcake, quartered 1 angel food cupcake, quartered 2 scoops vanilla ice cream 2 scoops chocolate ice cream 2 scoops strawberry ice cream 1 scoop mint chocolate chip ice cream 1 scoop coffee ice cream 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup ¼ cup marshmallow crème ¼ cup strawberry topping ¼ cup pineapple topping 1 can dairy whipped topping 1 brownie, quartered 1 regular-sized chocolate bar, quartered 4 chocolate cookies with cream filling 1 tablespoon sliced toasted almonds 1 tablespoon dark and white chocolate shavings 1 tablespoon chocolate cookies with cream filling, crushed 1 tablespoon chopped jellied orange slices (approximately 2 large slices) 1 tablespoon milk chocolate chip morsels 1 tablespoon peanut butter chip morsels 1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles ½ cup drained maraschino cherries America aren't the only ones crafting gargantuan messes on the dessert menu. Max Brenner's recent menu change includes the 'Chocolate Mess to Share', a nostalgic party served in a nanna-like cake tin (that comes with a cooking spatula 'serving tool') in which devil's food cake, about five scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and that MB chocolate sauce hang out waiting for you to make poor (read: top notch) life choices. Or if you're into the oversized, Big Ol' Mess dessert industry, order anything from Paddington's beloved Micky's Cafe. Their 'sundae cake' can be made to order for bookings of over six (just six people needed) for just $5 pp. Devour layer upon layer of meringue, ice cream, rocky road, strawberries, housemade honeycomb, their infamous chocolate fudge. Eh. Screw it. Via Grub Street.
If clothes make the man, the beard defines the attitude. Whether it's a sharp stubble, a neat fade or a bold statement moustache, the right grooming routine can elevate your whole look. That's where the Philips OneBlade 360 comes in. This all-in-one tool is built to trim, edge and shave any length of hair with precision and ease, thanks to a flexible 360-degree blade that follows the contours of your face, a five-in-one adjustable comb and a fast-moving cutter that can deal with hair of any length. To show what it can do, we've teamed up with Joe Kurdyla from Melbourne barbershop Kings Domain to walk us through four trending facial hair styles that you can nail at home with the Philips OneBlade 360. Short stubble Effortless and universally flattering, a tidy five o'clock shadow is an easy way to look put-together without appearing as though you've tried too hard. Keep it sharp by using the adjustable guard to maintain your preferred length, and let the 360-degree blade do the heavy lifting. Neat beard A short-to-medium beard with faded sides and defined edges is a low-maintenance way to enhance your face shape and jawline while still looking professional. No fuzz, no fuss. The OneBlade's precision trimmer lets you clean up the neckline and cheeks in seconds, keeping things fresh between barber visits. Full beard Bold, rugged and full of character, a full-length beard is a surefire way to make a statement. Use the OneBlade to shape and edge around the beard, especially around the cheeks and neckline, so it stays strong rather than scruffy. Retro moustache Throwback alert: whether you're going for the retro Tom Selleck look or prefer a neater, cleaner look (think: Nathan Cleary), the OneBlade's dual-sided blade helps you define edges with total control. Ditch the guard, tidy the stubble around your mo and let the whiskers take centre stage. For more information on the Philips OneBlade 360, head to the brand's website.
Step into the 1950s in The Dairy Bar. Hidden down a laneway off Berry's main drag, this old-school milk bar is the new offshoot of The Treat Factory, which has been doling out sweet goodness for years. Its home is an 1895 factory that was the first in New South Wales to turn cream into butter. Grab a seat on the shady verandah overlooking Irish-green farmlands and dig in. Every dairy dish on the menu comes from local milk, sourced from farming cooperative South Coast Dairy. That includes the gelato, which is made daily. Try tried-and-trusted classics, like vanilla, Belgian chocolate and pistachio — or go for something more adventurous, like lemon cheesecake. There's also a bunch of OTT sundaes if you want to kick things up a notch. The S'more is a tower of vanilla and chocolate gelato, layered with Graham Cracker crumbs, chocolate pâté and a piping hot s'more (that's a Graham cracker sandwich, packed with chocolate and marshmallows). Meanwhile, the Apple Pie is a mountain of stewed and fresh apple, vanilla gelato, cinnamon almonds, waffle crumbs, caramel sauce and cream.
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures will do that, and so will plenty of people staying home because they aren't well — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Perhaps you've been under the weather. Given the hefty amount of titles now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are seven that you can watch right now at home. Dune: Part Two Revenge is a dish best served sandy in Dune: Part Two. On the desert planet of Arrakis, where golden hills as far as the eye can see are shaped from the most-coveted and -psychedelic substance in author Frank Herbert's estimation, there's no other way. Vengeance is just one course on Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet, Wonka) menu, however. Pop culture's supreme spice boy, heir to the stewardship of his adopted realm, has a prophecy to fulfil whether he likes it or not; propaganda to navigate, especially about him being the messiah; and an Indigenous population, the Fremen, to prove himself to. So mines Denis Villeneuve's soaring sequel to 2021's Dune, which continues exploring the costs and consequences of relentless quests for power — plus the justifications, compromises, tragedies and narratives that are inescapable in such pursuits. The filmmaker crafts his fourth contemplative and breathtaking sci-fi movie in a row, then, after Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 as well. The vast arid expanse that constantly pervades the frames in Dune: Part Two isn't solely a stunning sight. It looks spectacular, as the entire feature does, with Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser (The Creator) back after winning an Oscar for the first Dune; but as Paul, his widowed mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Silo), and Fremen Stilgar (Javier Bardem, The Little Mermaid) and Chani (Zendaya, Euphoria) traverse it, it helps carve in some of this page-to-screen saga's fundamental ideas. So does the stark monochrome when the film jumps to Giedi Prime, home world to House Harkonnen, House Atreides' enemy, plus Arrakis' ruler both before and after Paul's dad Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) got the gig in Villeneuve's initial Dune. People here are dwarfed not only by their mammoth surroundings, but by the bigger, broader, non-stop push for supremacy. While there's no shortage of detail in both Part One and Part Two — emotional, thematic and visual alike — there's also no avoiding that battling against being mere pawns in an intergalactic game of chess is another of its characters' complicated fights. Dune: Part Two streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Greig Fraser. Immaculate Add screaming to the ever-growing list of things that Sydney Sweeney can do spectacularly well. Indeed, thanks to Immaculate, which gets the Euphoria and The White Lotus star putting her pipes to stellar bellowing use, the horror genre has a brand-new queen; long may she reign if this is what audiences have to look forward to. This film about a nun who moves to a convent in the Italian countryside, then mysteriously becomes pregnant without having had sex, isn't just a job for Sweeney. She auditioned for the movie a decade back, it didn't come to fruition, but she strove to make it happen now. She stars. She produces. She enlisted Michael Mohan, who she worked with on Everything Sucks! and The Voyeurs, as its director. The passion that drove her quest to bring Immaculate to viewers is just as apparent in her formidable performance, too, including echoing with feeling — and blistering intensity— when she's shrieking. No one should just be realising now how versatile an actor that Sweeney is. Her portrayal of Sister Cecilia, who found her way to becoming a bride of Christ after a traumatic near-death incident in her younger years, is exactly what the film's title suggests: immaculate. It's also a showcase of a role that requires her to be sweet, dutiful, faithful, ferocious, indefatigable, vengeful and desperate to survive all in the same flick — and she kills it — but adaptability, resourcefulness and displaying a multitude of skills has been her on-screen wheelhouse beyond just one movie. Take Sweeney's last four cinema releases, for instance, all of which hail from 2023–24. Reality, Anyone But You, Madame Web and Immaculate couldn't be more dissimilar to each other, and neither could the actor's parts in them. Throw in her Saturday Night Live hosting stint, and she's firmly at the "is there anything that she isn't capable of?" stage of her career. Immaculate streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Michael Mohan. The Zone of Interest Quotes and observations about evil being mundane, as well as the result when people look the other way, will never stop being relevant. A gripping, unsettling masterpiece, The Zone of Interest is a window into why. The first film by Sexy Beast, Birth and Under the Skin director Jonathan Glazer in more than a decade, the Holocaust-set feature peers on as the unthinkable happens literally just over the fence, but a family goes about its ordinary life. If it seems abhorrent that anything can occur in the shadow of any concentration camp or site of World War II atrocities, that's part of the movie's point. It dwells in the Interessengebiet, the 40-square-kilometre-plus titular area that comprised and surrounded the Auschwitz complex, to interrogate how banal genocide was to those in power; commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel, Babylon Berlin), even gloats that his name will be remembered and celebrated for its connection to mass extermination. Höss was a real person, and the real Nazi SS officer overseeing Auschwitz from 1940–43. His wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall) and five children are similarly drawn from truth. But The Zone of Interest finds its way to the screen via Martin Amis' fiction novel of the same name, then hones its interest down from the book's three narrators to the Höss family; a biopic, it isn't, even as it switches its character monikers back to reflect actuality. This is a work of deep probing and contemplation — a piece that demands that its viewers confront the daily reality witnessed and face how the lives of those in power, and benefiting from it, thrived with death not only as a neighbour but an enabler. Camp prisoners tend the Höss' garden. Ashes are strewn over the soil for horticultural effect. Being turned into the same is a threat used to keep the household's staff in line. All three of these details, as with almost everything in the feature, are presented with as matter-of-fact an air as cinema is capable of. The Zone of Interest streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. How to Have Sex Movies don't have pores, but How to Have Sex might as well. Following a trip to Greece with three 16-year-old best friends who want nothing more than to party their way into womanhood — and to get laid, too — this unforgettable British drama is frequently slick with sweat. Perspiration can dampen someone when they're giddily excited about a wild getaway, finishing school and leaving adolescence behind. It can get a person glistening when they're rushing and drinking, and flitting from pools and beaches to balconies and clubs. Being flushed from being sozzled, the stickiness that comes with expending energy, the cold chill of stress and horror, the fluster of a fluttering heart upon making a connection: they're all sources of wet skin as well. Filmmaker Molly Manning Walker catalogues them all. Viewers can see the sweat in How to Have Sex, with its intimate, spirited, like-you're-there cinematography. More importantly, audiences can feel why protagonist Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce, Vampire Academy) is perspiring, and the differences scene to scene, even when she's not quite sure herself. How to Have Sex also gets those watching sweating — because spying how you've been Tara, or her pals Em (debutant Enva Lewis) and Skye (Lara Peake, Halo), or lads Badger (Shaun Thomas, Ali & Ava) and Paddy (Samuel Bottomley, The Last Rifleman) in the neighbouring resort unit, is inescapable. Walker has been there herself, with parts of her debut feature as a writer and director drawn from her own time as a Tara, Em or Skye while also making the spring break and Schoolies-like pilgrimage from England to the Mediterranean. When the movie doesn't lift details directly from her own experience, it shares them with comparable moments that are virtually ripped from western teendom. One of the feature's strokes of genius is how lived-in it proves, whether Tara and her mates are as loud and exuberant as girls are when their whole lives are ahead of them, its main character is attempting to skip her troubles in a sea of strobing lights and dancing bodies, or slipping between the sheets — but not talking about it — is changing who Tara is forever. How to Have Sex streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Molly Manning Walker. Bob Marley: One Love There's no doubting who Bob Marley: One Love is about, but the Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard)-directed biopic also brings two other big-screen portraits of music superstars to mind. There's always a dance through a legend's history flickering somewhere, or close to it, with the initial dramatised look at the reggae icon arriving after Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis both proved major hits in recent years. Where the first, which focused on Freddie Mercury, had Live Aid, Bob Marley: One Love has the One Love Peace Concert. Both are gigs to build a movie around, and both features have done just that. Baz Luhrmann's portrait of the king of rock 'n' roll wanted its audience to understand what it was like to watch its namesake, be in his presence and feel entranced by every hip thrust — and, obviously without the gyrating pelvis, Bob Marley: One Love also opts for that approach. Enter Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, in a vital piece of casting. Although it may not earn him an Oscar as Bohemian Rhapsody did Rami Malek (Oppenheimer), or even a nomination as Elvis scored for Austin Butler (Masters of the Air), the British actor turns in a phenomenal performance. He's worlds away from being a Ken in Barbie. He isn't in wholly new territory seeing that he played Malcolm X in One Night in Miami and Barack Obama in TV series The Comey Rule. He's also magnetic and mesmerising — and, in the process, expresses how and why Marley was magnetic and mesmerising. Ben-Adir's vocals are blended with Marley's. Accordingly, you're largely listening to the singer himself. But there's a presence about Ben-Adir in the part, perfecting Jamaican patois, getting kinetic and uninhibited in his movement while he's behind the microphone, radiating charisma, but also conveying purpose and self-possession. It's a portrayal that's as entrancing and alive as the music that's always echoing alongside it; with Marley's discography, that's saying something. Bob Marley: One Love streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton and Reinaldo Marcus Green. Riceboy Sleeps When Riceboy Sleeps charts the passage of time from 1990 to 1999 partway into the movie, the Canadian film does so with Dong-hyun at its centre. As a six-year-old (played by debutant Dohyun Noel Hwang) navigating his initial taste of school from behind his large round glasses, he's shy, sensitive, and constantly reminded that he's different by teachers and classmates. As a 15-year-old (Ethan Hwang, The Umbrella Academy) with bleached-blonde hair and faux blue eyes, he's adopted a coping mechanism: trying to blend in. Riceboy Sleeps isn't just about Dong-hyun, who takes the anglicised name David in his attempts to assimilate. It's as much about his mother So-young (fellow feature first-timer Choi Seung-yoon), who relocates him from South Korea to North America after his soldier father's suicide. Writer/director Anthony Shim's sophomore release after 2019's Daughter hones in on the act of seeing, too — gleaning what's around you, who, why, the past that lingers, the stories that echo — as Dong-hyun and So-young survey where they are, where they've been, and how their history keeps dictating their present and future. In that aforementioned time jump, Shim — who helms, pens, edits and acts — and cinematographer Christopher Lew (Quickening) make eyes the focus. When Riceboy Sleeps dwells in the first year of the 90s, Dong-hyun's spectacles are frames within the frame, giving the boy his own windows to the world that he fidgets with, seems burdened by and, in an act of bullying by his peers, has dinged up and taken away. When the movie hits the end of the decade, Dong-hyun is putting in his contacts, therefore making the lens with which he perceives his existence invisible. Semi-inspired by his own childhood as a South Korean arrival to Vancouver Island in the 90s, including attending a school where he was the only Asian student, Riceboy Sleeps is this thoughtful at every level. The movement, and later lack thereof, of Lew's camerawork is just as loaded with meaning: in Canada, it's restless in long wide shots, careening around gracefully but noticeably and finding points to fixate on; back across the Pacific Ocean in the picture's bookending segments, it's still but just as observational. Riceboy Sleeps streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Boys in the Boat The Social Network isn't a rowing film, but the Henley Royal Regatta sequence in David Fincher's (The Killer) 2010 triumph quickly became one of cinema's most-famous oar-sweeping moments. Prestige, money, tradition, opulence, power, competition, determination: they all wash through the tightly shot segment, which gleams with the water of the River Thames, the sweat on the crew's faces and, just as importantly, with status. Definitely a rowing film, The Boys in the Boat paddles into the same world; however, a commentator's line mid-movie sums up the focus and angle of this old-fashioned underdog sports flick. "Old money versus no money at all" is how the usual big and rich names in the field and the University of Washington's junior varsity team are compared. George Clooney's (The Tender Bar) ninth feature as a director doesn't just spot the class-clash difference there — his entire picture wades into that gulf. Drawn from 2013 non-fiction novel The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown, reuniting Clooney with his The Midnight Sky screenwriter Mark L Smith in the process, The Boys in the Boat is about the UW's rowing efforts, rower Joe Rantz and coach Al Ulbrickson, too — plus an against-the-odds quest, bold choices, the struggles of the Great Depression, the reality of an Olympics held under the Nazi regime and the looming shadow of war. But thrumming at its heart like a coxswain is setting the pace is the mission to keep afloat one stroke at a time, and not merely in the pursuit of glory and medals. What rowing means to Rantz (Callum Turner, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), the character at its centre, as well as to the classmates-turned-crewmates catching and extracting with him under the guidance of the stoic Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton, I'm a Virgo), is pure survival first and foremost. The Boys in the Boat streams via Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Joel Edgerton. Looking for more viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, February and March 2024 (and also January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023, too). We keep a running list of must-stream TV from across 2024 as well, complete with full reviews. And, we've also rounded up 2023's 15 best films, 15 best straight-to-streaming movies, 15 top flicks hardly anyone saw, 30 other films to catch up with, 15 best new TV series of 2023, another 15 excellent new TV shows that you might've missed and 15 best returning shows.
Sydney nightlife precinct YCK Laneways is making the most of the month of August with a four-week music, art, food and drink festival celebrating women in creative industries and hospitality. As part of YCK Front & Centre, more than 50 individual events will take place across 15 CBD venues. The culmination of the festival will be across the August 26 weekend with a three-day marquee event titled Front & Centre presents: Live at YCK. Throughout the days, attendees will be treated to masterclasses from hospitality veterans including a spirits distilling workshop from Women of Australian Distilling, a Cornersmith-led pickle your own vegetable masterclass and a truffle grading and tasting experience with Ganymede Truffles. Come nighttime, live music and entertainment will take over with a stacked lineup including sets from the likes of Jaguar Jonze, JOY, Bella Hatch, Kilimi and Pirra. Across the 15 venues, there is a tonne of other highlights. Over at PS40, the bar will be running its regular chef collaboration series with a female-led lineup; Esteban will be hosting live art from Nanami Cowdroy; plus female and non-binary DJ collective Pho the Girls will be taking over Since I Left You among the dozens of events popping up across the laneways. Rounding out the program is a series of limited-edition cocktails inspired by Moulin Rouge! The Musical which has been rolled out across the venues for the entire 31-day program.
We love an old-school Sydney pub and the Friend in Hand Hotel, with its affordable fare and charmingly quirky decor — model planes and trains, old photographs, surfboards and other oddities plaster every single bit of wall space — is a great one. This stellar pub is also home to one of the city's longest-running comedy spots, the Mic in Hand. For just a tenner, you can chortle away all the week's stresses courtesy of the city's best up-and-coming comedy talent. If you're lucky, you might even catch one of the more famous comedy stars who drop in from time to time.
Whether you're a Melburnian or an upcoming visitor to the city, if your early winter plans involve heading out for a meal, the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne want to give you an extra incentive. As initially announced at the beginning of May, the two government bodies have teamed up on a new dining scheme that'll offer 20-percent rebates for eating out in the CBD, Chinatown, Lygon Street, Docklands, North Melbourne, Kensington and Southbank. Originally called the CBD Dining Experiences Scheme, and now dubbed 'Melbourne Money', the initiative will kick off on Friday, June 11. It'll cover food and drink purchases in-store at restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as bars, clubs, breweries and distilleries. The rebate applies to transactions between $50–500 (including GST), meaning that you'll get as little as $10 and as much as $100 back. The big caveat: you do have to purchase something to eat, with your drinks only covered if you're buying food. Another important thing to take into consideration: it works on a first in, first served basis. So, heading out as soon as the scheme starts — which happens to be on the Queen's Birthday long weekend — and submitting your claim for a rebate immediately afterwards is recommended. Both residents of and visitors to the City of Melbourne can get their cash back after they've been to a hospitality venue, received an itemised receipt at the time of payment, then taken a photo of it and uploaded it to the Melbourne Money website. Within five working days, you'll then score 20 percent of the bill's total via a transfer to your bank account. Melbourne Money forms part of the Victorian Government's next $107.4 million million in spending to revitalise the city, which is included in the 2021–22 Victorian Budget. The Victorian Government is providing $7.4 million towards the scheme, with the City of Melbourne kicking in another $1 million. The dining initiative is the latest scheme to help the state recover from the pandemic, following vouchers for travel to both regional areas and the CBD — and it adapts an idea that's already been rolled out in New South Wales (and, before that, in the UK as well). The Melbourne Money scheme kicks off on Friday, June 11. For more information, head to the City of Melbourne website. Top image: Josie Withers, Visit Victoria.
There are so many incredible vistas to enjoy throughout the Northern Rivers region, but you don't have to bust a gut to experience some of the best. The easygoing North Head walking track, located on the edge of town in the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, is a 30-minute trail guiding you through the coastal rainforest. As you break through the canopy and look down upon the Brunswick River, you'll find several spots perfect for unfurling a picnic rug and basket. Once you're back on your feet, the trail leads you through fascinating wildlife habitats and eventually out to the ocean beach. Head to the website for visitor info. Image: Elliot Kramer
Sydney Science Festival is blasting off for a special space-themed edition this spring. Presented by Powerhouse Museum, the festival will run from Saturday, September 27 to Saturday, October 4 as part of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) for IAC 2025 Space Week — the world's largest annual space gathering, which is landing in Sydney for the very first time. The program will bring the global space community to the Harbour City for a week of free and ticketed talks, workshops, interactive experiences and family-friendly fun. From recording your very own message to be broadcast in space to meeting real-life astronauts, these are the must-attend events that'll give you a chance to explore the final frontier, no rocket required. HUMANS Deep Space Message In 1977, NASA's Voyager spacecraft carried the first Golden Records into deep space as a time capsule to communicate information about Earth and its inhabitants, sent in case they were ever found by intelligent extraterrestrial life. Fifty years on, you can help create the next chapter in that story. The Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology in Space project — or HUMANS — invites people from around the world to record their own short message for a new deep-space broadcast scheduled for 2027. Whether you want to share a message of hope, a cultural insight or just say g'day to the cosmos, you can add your voice at Sydney Science Festival events at ICC Sydney or Parramatta Town Hall — or online from anywhere on Earth. Space Now What does the future of space missions look like — and why does it matter here on Earth? Space Now brings together three global leaders in the field to unpack the innovations shaping the new space age, from lunar rovers to next-gen spacesuits. Katherine Bennell-Pegg (Australian astronaut at the Australian Space Agency), Hannah Ashford (Co-Founder of The Karman Project, a non-profit that promotes peace and security in space) and Sami Raines (Senior Engineer at ELO2, Australia's first lunar rover consortium) will share their insights on collaboration, technology and exploration in a rapidly changing space landscape. Astronauts Forum Ever wondered what it's like to live and work in space? Katherine Bennell-Pegg (pictured above), Australia's first qualified astronaut, will host an unmissable conversation with spacefarers from NASA, the Australian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, AXIOM, SpaceX and more. Expect stories of zero-gravity science, life aboard spacecraft and what it feels like to return to Earth after orbit. Lunar Horizons in Fortnite You won't need a spacesuit for this mission. Lunar Horizon invites you to explore a realistic moon landscape in a custom Fortnite mission created by Hassell, Epic Games and the European Space Agency. At this interactive blend of gaming, architecture and science, you'll be able to gather resources to build a lunar habitat as you traverse a realistic lunar landscape and chat with astronauts, all while learning about real-life missions and the future of human space exploration. This event is recommended for ages 15+. Science of Space There's something for all ages at this full day of fascinating talks that look at how space science is shaping life on Earth. Leading experts and creatives will explore breakthroughs in space food, commercial spaceflight, cosmic art and automation, as space nutritionist Dr Flávia Fayet-Moore, AI pioneer Michael Kemeny, visionary designer Dr Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian and commercial astronaut Dr Chris Boshuizen unpack the future of our cosmic frontier. Sydney Science Festival, presented by Powerhouse, will take place across various Sydney venues from Saturday, September 27 to Saturday, October 4. For more information and full program details, head to the Sydney Science Festival website.
Baker Bleu Double Bay is under new management, if you can call it that, as the Melbourne-born bakery's partnership with renowned Chef Neil Perry and his wife Sam has come to an end. Now, Baker Bleu founders and directors Mike and Mia Russell will take over full ownership of the location. Launched in 2022, Neil had previously described Baker Bleu's output as the "best bread in Australia," becoming part of a joint venture to lead the bakery's expansion beyond Melbourne. Yet Neil and Sam will now renew focus on their neighbouring hub of restaurants — Margaret, Gran Torino and Next Door. "Sam and I are very proud of the role we've played in Baker Bleu's growth and in making the Double Bay store the success it is today. As Mike and Mia look to expand and take the business in a new direction, we've decided to part ways and focus on our restaurants in Double Bay," said Neil Perry. "We are grateful to Neil for bringing us to Sydney in 2022," adds Mike. "During this time, we created something truly magical with Neil and Sam, and we feel privileged to continue to be in the neighbourhood alongside their world-class restaurants." With all other Baker Bleu locations owned by Mike and Mia Russell — Caulfield North, Cremorne and Hawksburn — the Double Bay location now joins the fold, as well as any future stores. That also includes the soon-to-launch South Yarra location, arriving in late September. Situated in a prime position opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens, this takeaway-only outpost has moved into the former home of Baker D Chirico. Open daily, visitors can expect the full Baker Bleu range, from sourdough breads to hand-rolled bagels, alongside Market Lane coffee and pantry staples like cultured butter and small-batch jams. Baker Bleu Double Bay is open daily from 7.30am–3pm at 2 Guilfoyle Ave, Double Bay. Head to the website for more information.
Movies can sometimes stick to a formula. Picture palaces showing them can do the same thing. At Moonlight Cinema, one of Australia's summer staples, that means playing Christmas films in December and romantic classics in February, for instance. Celebrating Oscar contenders in March is also on the itinerary, as the just-dropped last lineup for the event's 2023–24 season locks in. We can't know right now who'll emerge victorious at Hollywood's night of nights on Monday, March 11 Australian time, but plenty of nominees are showing throughout the month. Whether you're team Oppenheimer or Barbie, they're both on the program. So are Poor Things, The Holdovers and Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Perth gets Maestro, too, while Sydney and Melbourne can get drawn into the compelling drama of Palme d'Or-winner Anatomy of a Fall. While Moonlight Cinema hits up five locations each year, it winds up in Brisbane and Adelaide in February, hence the March bill is only playing in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The details vary per city, but each will also enjoy a range of recent big-screen favourites, too, such as the Mean Girls musical, Sydney-shot rom-com Anyone But You and the sweet Timothée Chalamet (Bones and All)-led treat that is Wonka. Matthew Vaughn following up the Kingsman movies with new spy caper Argylle, Kingsley Ben-Adir (Secret Invasion) playing a reggae icon in Bob Marley: One Love and wrestling drama The Iron Claw will also get a whirl. For some retro fun, The Goonies, The Princess Bride and the OG Mean Girls are on the lineup as well. And, of course, the movies are just one part of the Moonlight Cinema experience. The setting — at Centennial Parklands in Sydney, Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, and Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth — is just as important. Also on offer: an official Aperol spritz bar, which is new for 2023–24. Nosh-wise, the event lets you BYO movie snacks and drinks, but the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds. There's also a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, plus a platinum section that levels up a night at the movies even further in Sydney and Melbourne. A beauty cart is handing out samples, too. And, dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. Moonlight Cinema 2023–24 Dates: Sydney: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Centennial Parklands Perth: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Melbourne: until Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema runs through until March 2024 in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with dates varying per city. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website.
Already in 2023, streaming viewers have watched Sam Richardson get spiteful in one of the most kindhearted sitcoms in recent years, and get nominated for his second Emmy for it. They've witnessed him host oh-so-silly game shows, too. It isn't just Ted Lasso and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson that've been keeping him on-screen, but also rom-com Somebody I Used to Know and voicing Shaggy in new Scooby Doo take Velma. Only The Afterparty, which returned to Apple TV+ for season two on Wednesday, July 12, has him playing buddy cop with Tiffany Haddish, however. Actually, The Afterparty has the ever-busy Richardson playing a wealth of roles, but only stepping into one character's shoes. Aniq Adjaye is a wedding guest, doting boyfriend and eager-to-please potential future son-in-law. He's the guy who finally made good on his high-school crush at his reunion in season one, after getting accused of murder when a classmate would up dead at, yes, the afterparty. And, he's whatever his fellow revellers see — because this murder-mystery comedy from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street, and The Lego Movie's Christopher Miller is a whodunnit about perspective. The clever, inventive and entertaining twist? Every episode not only takes a different character's viewpoint, but filters their recollections through a parody of a different genre. Sometimes, then, Richardson dives into a romantic comedy within the ensemble murder-mystery comedy. That's what the show's two Aniq-centric episodes — the opening chapters of both 2022's season one and now 2023's season two — have delivered, and delightfully. Richardson is the series' lead no matter which on-screen figure's memories guide each instalment, though, teaming up with Haddish's (The Card Counter) Danner to interrogate his fellow partygoers. So, sometimes Richardson is also plunged into the world of action. Or, he's whisked into a musical, a teen drama or police procedural. In season two, the list includes a Jane Austen-style period romance, both Hitchcockian and erotic thrillers, Wes Anderson's aesthetic and film noir. The Afterparty's second go-around takes Aniq and his other half Zoe (Zoe Chao, Party Down) to her younger sister Grace's (Poppy Liu, Dead Ringers) nuptials to the wealthy-but-awkward Edgar (Zach Woods, Avenue 5). After the ceremony, then the reception, then the post-proceedings, there's a body, a winery full of suspects and questions to ask. There's also Richardson proving as versatile as ever, a skill that's served him exceptionally on everything from underseen Tim Robinson-costarring comedy Detroiters to stealing scenes upon scenes as Veep's Richard Splett — plus a six-episode run on The Office, cinema stints as varied as Spy and Promising Young Woman; and Werewolves Within and Hocus Pocus 2 as well. With The Afterparty season two now streaming, Richardson chatted us through the joy of the show's comedic layers, his odd-couple dynamic with Haddish, living the murder-mystery dream as a big fan of the genre, how he'd respond if one of the series' situations crossed over to his real life, I Think You Should Leave's unhinged reactions and more. ON MAKING A MURDER-MYSTERY COMEDY THAT'S ALSO A ROM-COM, AN ENSEMBLE COMEDY AND A SPOOF OF EVERY GENRE IT CAN FIT IN "There's so much that I love about all these things. I'm a big fan of a murder-mystery — Sam Richardson is. I'm a big fan of a rom-com. And I'm a big fan of an ensemble comedy. So the show is all three of those things. So I got to do that the first season, and then the second season we get to heighten all of that. Now Aniq is investigating not just to protect himself, but to try to figure out actually who the murderer is with him outside the gaze of suspicion. He's now trying to solve this mystery, and also his retelling of the story is a rom-com sequel. So now everything's all heightened when he's telling the story — big setpieces and big physical-comedy bits. That's a really fun thing for me to do, and to get to work with the new cast — everybody's so funny —and all these new genres." ON MAKING A BUDDY-COP COMEDY WITH TIFFANY HADDISH, TOO "They're an unlikely pair [Aniq and Danner], but it turns out they're good partners. One balances the other. And getting to perform with Tiffany — she's so funny. So it's good to play off of that dynamic and that energy. It was such a great thing to do and to get to play with. The two of them — her methods are unorthodox at first, and then his methods are maybe a little sloppy. So together they're able to get through this thing, but [make] an unlikely pair." ON TICKING MURDER-MYSTERY OFF THE ACTING BUCKET LIST "There's nothing more fun than being the one to get to put the pieces together at the end of the mystery — that sort of monologue that Sherlock Holmes has where he explains all the pieces that he's seen, that you've seen as the audience, but now I'm giving you the grand thing, the Colombo sort of speech, the "one more thing, you thought I didn't know this, but ha!". Getting to be in that role is a dream come true for me." ON THE CHALLENGES AND FUN OF JUMPING BETWEEN GENRES FROM EPISODE TO EPISODE "It's definitely both, because you are getting pulled in a bunch of different ways. But that is the fun of it, because you get to explore your character and these genres from all these different perspectives. As an acting exercise, and as a challenge to an actor, you get to say not only 'what is the perspective of this character whose story I'm in, the person who's telling the story, what's their perspective on me?' but also 'what is the trope of this genre?'. 'What is this character in a film noir? And who who is the person within that trope? Who is this person in this Jane Austen story? What is that person in this trope?' But then also at the same time, 'what does the character telling the story think of me? Does this person think I'm untrustworthy? Do they think that I'm a weak person? Do they think that I'm more maybe more bold than I am? Do they think that I'm behaving surreptitiously?'. So that's a fun thing to explore in a show like this." ON THE BEST GENRE TO DIVE INTO SO FAR — AND A DREAM PICK FOR THE FUTURE "I really do love the the big rom-com sequel that I got to do this season — big set pieces and physical comedy. I also really enjoyed the Wes Anderson-style episode, the costumes of the Jane Austen [episode]. Each one has it's [merits] — it's so hard to pick one. But if there was another genre that I would want to do, it'd would be a kung-fu movie. That would be so much fun." ON PLAYING OLD HIGH-SCHOOL BUDDIES WITH SEASON ONE'S CAST — THEN STRANGERS AT A WEDDING WITH SEASON TWO'S "The first season, the cast, and getting to play with that cast, was terrific. And then also the idea that you have this shared history and so you're looking back on these relationships that you've had — but what's the dynamic now? — was such a great thing to get to do. So in this season, there are some dynamics that have existed before. But for Aniq especially, he's meeting so many people for the first time. And so getting to be introduced to these characters, and then to get to work with some of these actors for the first time as well, it was such a great fertile playground for reactions. You're absorbing these people for the first time — whereas on the other side of the coin, you get to fall back on 'oh, this guy behaves like this and I know they do'; this time, you get to be like 'this guy behaves like this, what are they doing?'. So it's two sides of the coin, but the coin is still 25 cents." ON HOW RICHARDSON WOULD REACT IF HE WAS LIVING A MURDER-MYSTERY IRL "I fear that day happening greatly. But I do wonder how I would react, because you want to hope that you'd be bold and be like 'no, it has to have been this'. And you'd answer all the things. I myself, I do like to solve things. So I really would be trying to look at things objectively and be like 'well, no it couldn't have been this because these three people were here at this time, that person was there, and I know they were, and they said that before'. That's kind of how I approach things anyway, so I think if somebody got murdered in my high school, I'd figure out who it was." [caption id="attachment_903580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netflix © 2023[/caption] ON WHAT RICHARDSON LOOKS FOR IN A ROLE "Good money. I look for, you know, does it pay my insurance? I am entirely joking — but also not. I really just like characters who have very fun wants, and characters who are able to react to things. So for I Think You Should Leave — I Think You Should Leave is its own sort of thing. That's my best friend's show, and it's sketch, and I very much love sketch and I love playing these characters who have wants that are a little bit unrealistic, and then the reaction to not getting those wants is also unhinged. That's a fun thing to get to do. But then with with shows like Detroiters, the wants there are to spend time with your best friend and represent your city in the best way. I think it ultimately comes down to wants — the interestingness of what characters want, and getting to see how these characters go about trying to achieve them, is what I look for most." Season two of The Afterparty streams via Apple TV+ from Wednesday, July 12. Read our full review of season two.
One of 2024's cinema trends has a very specific number in mind: 45. It was four-and-a-half decades ago that the Mad Max franchise first rolled onto the big screen, with creator/writer/director George Miller bringing it back this year for its fifth instalment via Furiosa: A Mad Max Story. It was also 45 years ago that no one could hear you scream in space, as Ridley Scott's OG Alien advised — and it too has a new movie reaching silver screens in 2024. The latter: Alien: Romulus. While watching both the initial teaser and just-dropped full trailer for the latest entry in the franchise, can anyone hear your shouts? The answer to that question depends on where you are and who you're with, of course — we're presuming that you're not in space — but the sneak peeks themselves firmly aim to unsettle. Across the two glimpses, there's an eerie derelict space station, dark hallways aplenty, screaming and a heap of blood. There's also plenty of facehuggers, chestbursters and xenomorphs. Behind the lens, albeit producing rather than directing, Scott (Napoleon) remains involved. The seventh Alien film, and the ninth including the Alien vs Predator movies, Alien: Romulus arrives in August seven years since Alien: Covenant gave the seriesf its last entry. While Scott originated the space-thriller saga back in 1979, then returned to it with 2012's Prometheus and 2017's Alien: Covenant, now Evil Dead, Don't Breathe and The Girl in the Spider's Web filmmaker Fede Álvarez is on helming duties — clearly taking his cues from Scott's work, though, right down to specific mirrored shots. The setup: when space colonisers go a-scavenging through an abandoned space station, they get more than they bargained for. Given Álvarez's background in horror, it comes as no surprise that he's tapping into the genre for his Alien effort, just as Scott did with his. Álvarez also wrote the screenplay, reteaming with Rodo Sayagues, who he worked with on Evil Dead and Don't Breathe — and who directed Don't Breathe 2. Priscilla and Civil War's Cailee Spaeny leads the group of folks doing battle with vicious extra-terrestrials, starring alongside David Jonsson (Rye Lane), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (Madame Web), Spike Fearn (Aftersun) and feature first-timer Aileen Wu. Separate to Alien: Romulus, the Alien franchise is also expanding to TV, with a new series from Fargo's Noah Hawley in the works, as set three decades before the events of the first film. Featuring Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Alex Lawther (Andor), Essie Davis (One Day) and Timothy Olyphant (Justified: City Primeval), it isn't expected until 2025. With all things Alien set to stalk across both the big and small screens over the next couple of years, staying away from this saga isn't in anyone's futures. Check out the full trailer for Alien: Romulus below: Alien: Romulus releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Images: courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Elizabeth Bay House is reviving the excitement and 1940s glamour of World War II's Victory in Europe (VE) Day with the Historic Houses Trust's GI Dance. On May 8, 1945 WWII finally came to an end; 67 years later, that victorious moment comes alive again at the harbourside estate of Elizabeth Bay House. Join the party dressed in your best retro attire, and ladies, stop by the in-house salon for festive 'victory curls' and pin-up-perfect makeup. Then hit the dance-floor to the tunes of the era, all while sipping vintage cocktails and mingling with dashing American GIs. Stop by the kitchen for a 1940s cooking tutorial with colonial gastronomer Jacqui Newling or sneak a peek at burlesque pin-up Foxtrot India, posing for a bedroom portrait. Tickets tend to sell out well before the night itself, so if you're thinking of going, book soon.
Political cartoons capture the social atmosphere of a moment. Contained in a few drawings and perhaps a witty phrase or two is the overwhelming attitude of, if not a nation, at least a faction of it. Looking back at the best political cartoons of 2011 is to contextualize and review the thoughts and fears of Australians over the past year. Each cartoon is a snapshot, revealing the particular events and personalities which influenced the cartoonist. Behind the Lines: The Best Political Cartoons of 2011 allows attendees to review the year's political happenings while celebrating the art of political cartooning as a whole. Gathered from newspapers, journals, and websites, these cartoons allow Australians to contemplate the state of Australian politics as it stood in 2011, and as it stands today. The Riverside opens 9-5 Monday to Friday, 9.30-1 on Saturdays and an hour before performances. Image by Andrew Marlton
Chinese Architecture is renowned for being highly avant-garde and unorthodox, but some designs can only be described as outright peculiar. From fish shapes, to huge bottle of alcohol, giant rings and God-sculpture-buildings, Chinese structures cover a lot of bases on the quirky scale. These odd designs attract a large amount of tourism to the various regions of China and are also an important aspect of the Chinese history and culture, while simultaneously demonstrating their radical modern shift in architectural design. Ranging from company headquarters to hotels, or watchtowers, here are ten of the quirkiest and most outrageous building designs throughout China. Fushun Shen Fu New Town 'Circle of Life' This 50 floor panoramic structure fitted out with 12,000 LED lights and with a diameter of 157m took a massive 3000 tons of steel and a casual billion dollars to make. Despite remarks that the dome is a ridiculous and unnecessary, the local government maintains that it is a unique and distinctive architectural design. Center of Bashu Culture Art Found in Chongqing at the Guotai Art Center, this quirky structure with needle-like protrusions is set to be finished later this year. Yichuan Northern Gate Another expensive and obscure construction, the Northern Gate currently under construction will provide a gate to the city of Yichuan in the Henan province. Although it has been likened to a belt, a trap and a bow, the gate is hoped to be a welcoming door to guests from afar with beautiful curves and rich ties to the region's history, spirituality and culture as well as being representative of Yichuan's economic development. Beijing Olympic Watchtower Consisting of five 'pins' of varying heights, this unorthodox tower is located in China's capital and is still yet to complete construction. With the highest point reaching 244.35 metres, this foreboding structure is not your average Olympic watchtower. Fangyen Mansion This building appears in the Shenyang Finance and Trade Development Zone, and attempts to resemble a coin, for fairly obvious reasons. Unfortunately the design didn't go down too well with the CNN, who in January of this year placed in the top ten ugliest buildings in the world because it apparently tries to unsuccessfully merge Western and Eastern style. Cuiping Wuliangye, Yibin city Believe it or not, this giant bottle is a Chinese liquor-producing company's factory located in Sichuan Province. Hotel of the Emperor At 41.6 metres high this hotel in Hebei, Yinjiao features in the World Guinness Book of Records as the 'largest pictographic building', aka the largest structure in the world which is both a building and a sculpture. The hotel showcases three Ancient Chinese Gods Fu, Lu, and Shou, who are known as the three wise men, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and longevity. Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort This unique, idiosyncratic building will open its 321 rooms on the first day of the new year in 2013. Located on the edge of the stunning Lake Taihu in Zhejiang, this upmarket hotel will provide a relaxing yet unconventional stay for those bedding within its walls. Linda Hai Square The design of the Linda Hai Square on Dongsi Ring mirroring the shape of a fish was not all that well received by the Chinese people. Perhaps this one slightly overstepped the border from eccentric to just plain weird. Phoenix Island Real Estate Situated in the prime location of Sanya, Hainan Island, apartments on this corner of the world will set investors back almost $14,000 per square metre. You'd surely expect some spectacular waterfront views at a price like that.
NIDA's October season is here again. It's our opportunity to catch NIDA's graduating talents in action before they head off to win over Hollywood hearts. Five performances will showcase some of the nation's best and brightest in the fields of acting, costume, design, production and properties. The season kicks off with Enda Walsh's dark journey through urban decay and self-destruction, Sucking Dublin. Then there's Jane Bodie's new play, Hinterland, about the discovery of an ancient civilisation of which only four members remain. Meanwhile, ex-STC Associate Director Tom Wright will take on Shakespeare's romantic comedy Cymbeline and Imara Savage will direct an adaptation of Georg Buchner's Woyzeck, featuring music and lyrics by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. Dennis Kelly's Osama the Hero, a provocative exploration of fear and dissent, is set to wrap up proceedings. At the same time, NIDA's EXPO 2013 will display the year's finest theatrical creations, in the way of costumes, props, rendering, model boxes and audiovisual works, and Writers 2013 will introduce the next generation of playwrights. Image: Woyzeck, photo by Lisa Maree Williams.
When the first John Wick film burst into cinemas with a finessed flurry of fantastic action scenes and all-round Keanu Reeves awesomeness, it let its star utter a particularly memorable and telling line. "Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back," the inimitable actor announced — but while the highly enjoyable movie helped remind audiences of his excellence, Reeves himself hadn't really gone anywhere. A staple on screens for decades, Keanu boasts quite the resume, spanning cult comedies, poignant takes on Shakespeare, ace sci-fi franchises and sappy romances. There's also the time that he tried to save a bus that couldn't slow down, and his stellar stint as a surfing FBI agent. All of the above are on the lineup at the Ritz Cinemas event that every Reeves fan will want to head to: a seven-week Keanu Reeves-A-Thon. Every Friday night at 9pm between November 1 and December 13, the theatre will work through a selection of the star's hit flicks in chronological order. Start with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, take a trip through My Own Private Idaho, hit the waves with Point Break, and get fast and furious with Speed — before entering The Matrix, visiting The Lake House and saying hello to John Wick.
Asian food is everywhere in Australian culture, and it's about to experience another twist in the form of Sens-Asian, a showcase conjured by Luke Mangan. Think of it as a warehouse party with an Asian street market vibe, cocktails and great food. Katherine Sabbath, Black Star Pastry and N2 Gelato. You've seen their creations on Instagram; you've probably double-tapped those creations. They'll be there producing delicious Asian-inspired desserts. Mangan and MOJO head chef Wayne Lee will be holding down the savoury fort and dishing up things like Taiwanese fried chicken and soft shell crab po'boys. We wish we had a third hand to hold a Singapore Sling. Food starts at $15. A live DJ will be providing tunes, and to top it all off, Sydney street artist JUMBO will be there completing a large-scale piece on the warehouse roller doors.
When a beloved TV show ends, it doesn't always say goodbye forever. We live in a golden age of revivals, spinoffs, sequels and remakes on both the big and small screens, after all — and when a television series is a big hit, it rarely goes away quietly. Take Game of Thrones, for instance. Before it even came to an end back in 2019, HBO was looking at spending more time in Westeros. According to George RR Martin, however, the US cable network might be scaling down the future of the GoT franchise. In an end-of-year update posted to his blog to farewell 2022, the author who gave the world Game of Thrones to begin with — and who has been working on the sixth novel in the A Song of Fire and Ice series for more than a decade — announced that HBO has currently scrapped some of the floated GoT spinoffs. Mentioning "several of the other successor shows that we're developing with HBO" as part of a list of things he's working on in 2023, Martin said that "some of those are moving faster than others, as is always the case with development. None have been greenlit yet, though we are hoping… maybe soon". He continued: "a couple have been shelved, but I would not agree that they are dead. You can take something off the shelf as easily as you can put it on the shelf. All the changes at HBO Max have impacted us, certainly." That's all very vague, but plenty has been happening at HBO and its US streaming platform HBO Max since parent company WarnerMedia merged with Discovery in 2022. Previously renewed shows have been cancelled, such as Minx. Films already shot and nearing release have been axed, like Batgirl. And, HBO Max's online catalogue has also been getting smaller, even removing HBO series. Martin didn't reveal which potential Game of Thrones spinoffs aren't presently going ahead, although one is clearly safe: House of the Dragon. One of 2022's must-see and most-talked-about shows, it's been renewed for a second season, and that episode order looks likely to stick. Given that chatter about expanding Game of Thrones' on-screen world has been going for more than half a decade, and how many different new shows have been put forward over that time, needing a refresher on what could be in the works anyway with is understandable. That list includes a Jon Snow-focused spinoff with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show. Beyond that, it's also been reported that another three prequels have been under consideration. Whichever of the above don't end up coming to fruition, our days of watching fiery fights between famous Westerosi names — and games over who gets tot sit on the Iron Throne — are still far from over. Game of Thrones was that much of a hit, and House of the Dragon has proven the same so far. Until House of the Dragon season two hits, or any other on-screen dances with dragons are confirmed, check out the season one trailer below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Images: HBO.
Everybody loves treehouses. Don't let anyone tell you that timber structures in branches are just for kids — living in your own sky-high hideaway amongst the greenery is an urge that you never grow out of. Thankfully, from plane-shaped buildings to entire apartment blocks to Australia's finest treetop spaces, there's no shortage of spots to climb up to. And while they all come with great views, Italy's latest addition to the fold is taking the concept up a few notches. Located in the Dolomites, the two Pigna treehouses overlook the alpine range from their lofty spot — and look like they've always been there. Suspended ten metres above the ground, and measuring eight-and-a-half metres in height and six in width, the cosy, three-level holiday homes are built to resemble pinecones, using larch shingles made from wood from Central Europe's Alpe-Adria region. Inside, those spending the night will find 360-degree vantages over the gorgeous scenery, a living area with a kitchenette, and a top-floor bedroom complete with a skylight. Nestled into fir trees, the treehouses are accessible by individual bridges, with every aspect designed to provide "a journey to discover the sounds, smells and scenery of nature." The project, which was finished this year, was originally conceived by architect Luca Beltrame as part of the ArchTriump competition in 2014. Via Dezeen. Images: DomusGaia / Malga Priu Ugovizza / Luca Beltrame + Laura Tessaro.
