Peter Hackney

Peter Hackney is an Australian-Montenegrin writer and editor who lives on Dharug and Gundungurra land in Western Sydney - home to one of Australia’s most diverse and dynamic arts scenes. He has a penchant for Australian theatre but is a lover of the arts in all its forms. A keen ‘Indonesianist’, Peter is a frequent traveller to our northern neighbour and an advanced student of Bahasa Indonesia. Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/peterhackney https://x.com/phackneywriter

Peter Hackney's Latest Articles

A young woman with a crown and a cream blouse starring in 'The Queen's Nanny'.
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Theatre review: The Queen's Nanny, Ensemble Theatre

This play about the British royal family brings nothing new to the table, but will appeal to those who enjoy…

Peter Hackney

Sep 12, 2024
Mzaza's six musicians (and their instruments) stand in front of a large circular structure.
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Music review: Mzaza: The Birth and Death of Stars, Riverside Theatres 

Mzaza’s current Australian tour sees the world music favourites deliver a powerful concert experience with strong theatrical elements.

Peter Hackney

Sep 11, 2024
Four men and three women are walking on wooden boards of differing heights. They are dressed in casual clothes. In a Nutshell, The Poetry of Violence by Bell Shakespeare.
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Theatre review: In a Nutshell: The Poetry of Violence, Neilson Nutshell, Pier 2/3

In its latest Shakespearean mash-up, Bell Shakespeare explores the nature of violence in the Bard’s work.

Peter Hackney

Sep 9, 2024
A young blonde woman in denim jacket (Ashleigh Hermann) is staring across a table at an older man (Daniel Mitchell) in 'Blackbird.'
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Theatre review: Blackbird, Wentworth Falls School of Arts

Exploring the devastating power of trauma and guilt, director Paulina Kelly’s production of ‘Blackbird’ was uncomfortable, shocking – and brilliant. 

Peter Hackney

Sep 5, 2024
Two woman are enshrouded in darkness. The one on the left, who has short dark hair, is holding a lamp. The other one has long white hair. The Turn of the Screw by Hayes Theatre.
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Opera review: The Turn of the Screw, Hayes Theatre

Director Craig Baldwin and the Hayes Theatre Co breathe new life into a Benjamin Britten classic.

Peter Hackney

Sep 4, 2024
A young man in a brown suit and tie is sitting in the foreground. In the background is an older man looking at him. Between them there is a noose hanging.
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Theatre review: Hangmen, New Theatre

The first Australian production of Martin McDonagh’s 2015 play sees high drama and black comedy come together in a gripping…

Peter Hackney

Aug 21, 2024
A dark-haired man in a colonial American military uniform, complete with cavalry sabre at his side, faces towards the camera. A group of dancers in similar uniforms pose dramatically behind him.
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Musical review: Hamilton, Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

‘Hamilton’ has returned to Australia. It’s slick, spectacular and runs like clockwork – but remains dogged by some fundamental issues.

Peter Hackney

Aug 9, 2024
A dark-haired white woman wearing a grey jumper, a brown checked dress and white shoes stands onstage in what could be a bland office set. Three blue chairs are lined up against the rear wall, upon which is projected the face of an older man in a suit and toe. A dying pot plant stands in one corner of the room.
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Theatre review: Arlington, Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre

The first Australian production of Irish playwright Enda Walsh’s ‘Arlington’ is challenging, confounding and stunningly original.

Peter Hackney

Aug 9, 2024
Two panels: On left is a profile photo of a man with a brown hat, glasses and a white beard. On the right is a cover of his book with an illustration of an island in blue and green and the words 'Mark Heyward' and 'The Glass Islands' in white font.
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Book review: The Glass Islands, Mark Heyward

Spanning memoir, travelogue and historical non-fiction, The Glass Islands explores a life swapped from Tasmania to Lombok, Indonesia.  

Peter Hackney

Aug 7, 2024
Two women argue. The woman on the left has shoulder-length hair and wears a blue and white striped top. The angrier woman on the right has a scarf covering her hair. Behind her stands a man in a red and black flannel short who appears to be trying to calm her down.
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Theatre review: Sunset Strip, New Theatre

The New Theatre tackles a play by one of Australia’s hottest theatrical exports.

Peter Hackney

Jul 12, 2024
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