Ned Hirst

Ned Hirst is a lawyer and writer based in Sydney whose work has appeared in Overland, The Australian Law Journal and elsewhere. He tweets at @ned_hirst.

Ned's Latest Articles

Four soldiers in shadow standing in pairs in the background. In the foreground are two soldiers, crouching on the ground, each one holding a woman in his arms. The women are wearing white gowns.
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Opera review: Così fan tutte, Sydney Opera House 

If you can forgive the problematic sexual politics, 'Così fan tutte' is enormous fun.

Ned Hirst

Aug 8, 2024
A darkened stage lit up by three small lamps. A middle-aged man and a woman are seated centrally at a table. To the left is an older man with a guitar, on the right and older woman knitting.
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Theatre review: Uncle Vanya, Ensemble Theatre

Joanna Murray-Smith's adaptation of Chekhov's classic play is elegant and tasteful.

Ned Hirst

Aug 7, 2024
A person with dark trousers, short hair and a towel around their neck is standing in the distance of a set made to look like an empty pool. There is a stepladder on the top right. Swim.
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Theatre review: Swim, Carriageworks

A trip to a public pool provokes deep, submerged reflections.

Ned Hirst

Jul 23, 2024
A man in a white shirt, black pants and tie is standing in front of an office set. He's got on hand on his hip and another pointing at the viewer.
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Theatre review: The Gospel According to Paul, Sydney Opera House

Jonathan Biggins returns for another season in office as our former Prime Minister.

Ned Hirst

Jun 11, 2024
Never Closer. Four student looking types lounge around a shared house set at Christmas time. One woman brandishes a bottle towards a man and a woman sitting at a table. A fourth man leans to the side wearing a Santa hat.
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Theatre review: Never Closer, Belvoir St Theatre

Set against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, this debut play returns for another successful run.

Ned Hirst

Jun 3, 2024
Switzerland. A theatre set of a writer's study with grey concrete walls, a two seater leather backed couch, a wooden coffee table and downstage a cluttered desk with a middle aged white woman working at a typewriter. Behind her a young white man has come through the door and looks nervous.
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Theatre review: Switzerland, Ensemble Theatre

Patricia Highsmith is all the rage at the moment, so it's a good time to stage Joanna Murray-Smith's play about…

Ned Hirst

May 13, 2024
Saplings. Image is three young men on stage, one seated on the ground, two standing and looking down at him. They are all behind a large net-like curtain.
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Theatre review: Saplings, Sydney Festival

Stories of young people in the youth justice system.

Ned Hirst

Feb 1, 2024
Beatrix & Fred. Image is a black and white headshot of the author on the left, she has dark hair and polo neck jumper. On the right is a blue book cover with the title and a dead (upside down) canary at the bottom of the image.
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Book review: Beatrix & Fred, Emily Spurr

Two loners and their odd, off-kilter relationship.

Ned Hirst

Dec 7, 2023
The Seagull. A young man with a bloodied bandage on his head sits with his legs drawn up to him and is embraced by an older woman in a black jumper.
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Theatre review: The Seagull, Roslyn Packer Theatre

A contemporary version of Chekhov's famous play shows 'The Seagull' has lost none of its relevance.

Ned Hirst

Nov 28, 2023
Twelfth Night. A dark spotlit stage features small trees in large pots, a couple of actors cuddle on. either side of the stage and a person centre stage with arm raised, wearing a white waistcoat, braces and black shorts.
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Theatre review: Twelfth Night, Sydney Opera House

This production of Shakespeare's classic gender swap comedy deliberately dramatises its tragic elements.

Ned Hirst

Oct 31, 2023
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