Stephen A Russell

Stephen A Russell is a Melbourne-based arts writer. His writing regularly appears in Fairfax publications, SBS online, Flicks, Time Out, The Saturday Paper, The Big Issue and Metro magazine. You can hear him on Joy FM.

Stephen A Russell's Latest Articles

Kylie Minogue's Padam Padam outfit is featured in DIVA. Image: Supplied.
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Diva review: mighty goddesses unite in this glittering exhibition

The first exhibition at Melbourne's new Australian Museum of Performing Arts is a star-studded look at the diva through the…

Iestyn Davies as Orpheus and Samantha Clarke as Eurydice in Opera Australia's production of Orpheus and Eurydice, 2025. Photo: Jeff Busby.
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Orpheus & Eurydice review: a magisterial marvel

Opera Australia’s collaboration with Circa breathes dazzling new life into Gluck’s mythology-mining Orpheus & Eurydice.

One Night Only by Jackson Castiglione and Rawcus. Darebin Arts Speakeasy. Protagonist: Charlie Mayne and Josh Lynzaat. Image: Darren Gill.
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One Night Only review: form-melting theatre that scoops us up

One Night Only, a new collaboration from Rawcus, presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy, soars and swoops through time and place.

Jessica Stanley and Rajendra Moodley in Titus Andronicus at Theatre Works. Photo: Steven Mitchell Wright.
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Titus Andronicus review: a deep cut of the Bard's bloodiest revenge play

Taking on the Titus Andronicus is no easy feat, though this impressively scaled Theatre Works production takes a good stab…

Cocteau's Circle – ACO. Image: Daniel Boud.
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Cocteau’s Circle review: champagne sparkles with the ACO

Led by the inimitable Le Gateau Chocolat, the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Cocteau’s Circle is sublime.

Genevieve Morris as Cory Taylor in the 2025 MTC production, 'Dying: A Memoir'. An older woman with short, greying hair poses dramatically on stage, as if shocked and automatically defending herself, perhaps by a sudden thunderclap.
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Dying: A Memoir review: a generous gift

Benjamin Law’s adaptation of his friend Cory Taylor’s dying wish flies high

Luke Bracey, Bryan Brown and Susie Porter in Bruce Beresford's The Travellers. Photo: David Dare Parker / Sony Pictures.
Interviews

Bruce Beresford on The Travellers and his life in cinema

The acclaimed director and writer Bruce Beresford talks to ScreenHub about the career that's taken him from the New Wave…

Nikki Shiels and Pamela Rabe in Rebecca at the MTC. Image: Pia Johnson.
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Rebecca review: a dark and deathly dream at the MTC

Anne-Louise Sarks cuts a little too much meat off the bone in Rebecca, but Nikki Shiels excels as always.

work.txt. Image: Alex Brenner.
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work.txt and Instructions review: fourth wall building and breaking at Melbourne Fringe

Subject Object’s mesmerising Melbourne Fringe highlights, work.txt and Instructions, will have you questioning reality.

Romeo + Juliet with Live Band and Choir. Image: Mitch Lowe.
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Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet with Choir and Band review: a sweet, sorrowful stunner

Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet is brought to new heights with Backyard Cinema's live band and choir at the Astor Theatre.

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