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New South Wales

A woman with grey plaits escaping from under a pink bathing cap stares at the camera. Behind her, sitting on the steps of the Newcastle Ocean Baths or standing nearby, are three other actors dressed for a swim or the beach. The ocean and sky meet behind them, in this publicity photo for 'Meet Me at the Baths' at New Annual Festival.
Features

New Annual Festival celebrates Newcastle places and stories

New Annual Festival Director Tory Loudon discusses highlights of her 2025 program.

A sinister figure wearing a half-mask over his face and 19th Century clothes, including a long, black, cloak-like coat, gestures dramatically as he sings. He stands in front of a large statue of an angel playing the violin in the scene from Opera Australia's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2022 production, 'Phantom of the Opera'.
News

The Phantom of the Opera returns to haunt Sydney Harbour in 2026

Opera Australia’s 2026 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour kicks off a global celebration of Phantom’s 40th anniversary.

An artist dress in a costume with cactus-like limbs sticking out of their back surrounded by a circle of onlookers. The room is awash in red light. SOFT CENTRE 2022.
News

SOFT CENTRE 2025 to take over Sydney with experimental art and electronic music

Expect international electronic sensations, home-grown immersive art pioneers and critical conversations at SOFT CENTRE.

A man sitting on a couch, a woman behind him. In the background on the right is a man dressed like a clown. On the ground are clothes strewn everywhere. Hir.
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Hir review: a play that explores the collision of PTSD and male privilege 

Family and gender politics are explored in this play about identity, belonging and redemption.

Gallery with black painted walls displaying Australian Aboriginal bark paintings. Yirrkala
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Yolŋu power review: the Art Gallery of NSW's landmark look at Yirrkala innovation

Eight decades of Yolŋu art and culture take viewers through an art movement that has garnered world acclaim.

Colourful cast scene, with a crowd looking on at two women and a man dancing in the middle. Carmen.
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Carmen review: a new look for a classic opera at Sydney Opera House

One of the most famous operas of the 19th century gets a 21st century makeover. 

Olivia Ansell: a portrait photograph of a smiling white woman in her forties with long light brown hair with her arms crossed in front of her, wearing a black short sleeved top standing in a light-filled white-walled room next to a window with light coming in through the window. Toronto
Features

Ex-Sydney Festival Director delivers first program in new Toronto festival role

Australian arts leader Olivia Ansell sends a postcard from Canada after her first months in new festival role.

The cast of "Annie" standing against a bright, blazing backdrop. Annie.
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Annie review: an orphan captures hearts on Australian stages

Annie is a well-orchestrated cohesive theatre production, whose songs are as catchy as ever.

View of gallery installation with abstract colourful paintings, and blue gallery walls. Tom Polo
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Tom Polo review: in a part of your mind, i am you, Ngununggula Gallery

Tom Polo’s first major institutional solo exhibition is a cracker.

A woman sitting on a chair and a man standing behind her. They are both badly dressed in dirty rags an with wild, unkempt hair. The Twits. Roald Dahl.
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Theatre review: The Twits, Sydney Opera House

A theatrical adaptation of Roald Dahl classic children’s novel.

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