Gemma Betros

Gemma Betros is an historian, arts critic and writer based in Toowoomba, Queensland. She studied at the University of Queensland and the University of Cambridge, and has held academic posts in the UK, US, and Australia. Previous reviews have appeared in the Australian Book Review and Sydney Review of Books, where she was a 2021 Emerging Critics Fellow.

Gemma Betros's Latest Articles

A scattering of old black and white photographs in The Last Princess of Lebanon.
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The Last Princess of Lebanon review: looking back at one's heritage

The Last Princess of Lebanon explores a great-grandmother's journey from a Lebanese palace to rural Queensland.

Gemma Betros

Aug 25, 2025
Women & Children. Image is on the left a grey haired man in a white t-shirt and on the right a book cover with a woman in a hat and coat, 1960s style, standing next to a young girl in a confirmation outfit.
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Book review: Women & Children, Tony Birch

Tony Birch's latest novel canvasses violence, race and religion.

Gemma Betros

Jan 30, 2024
Features

How Bluey made the move from animation to stage

ArtsHub speaks with 'Bluey's Big Play' puppetry director Jacob Williams and performer Jess Golle on translating from screen to stage…

Gemma Betros

Jan 10, 2024
Napoleon. Image is an 18th century French general with three-cornered hat and blue tunic with tiny figures in the background and a desert setting.
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Film review: Napoleon

Ridley Scott’s interest in ‘great men’ and strong female characters is once again on display, but even at 158 minutes,…

Gemma Betros

Nov 30, 2023
Circa. Image is a group of barechested acrobats holding up another performer on a dark stage.
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Performance review: Son and Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus, Playhouse Theatre, QPAC

A Circa double bill featuring new work from First Nations-led ensemble Circa Cairns, and a family-friendly reimagining of Mozart and…

Gemma Betros

Nov 30, 2023
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Book review: The Sitter, Angela O’Keeffe

A multilayered novel about the wife of French artist Paul Cezanne becomes a dual portrait of two women a century…

Gemma Betros

Aug 31, 2023
Pianist Aura Go, dressed as Chopin, is seated at the piano while actor Jennifer Vuletic, as composer Franz Liszt, stands behind.
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Performance review: Chopin’s Piano, QPAC Concert Hall

Musica Viva’s unique stage adaptation of Paul Kildea’s book on the composer Chopin, his preludes, and one fateful instrument.

Gemma Betros

Jul 19, 2023
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