Alannah Le Cross

There are many ways countries around the world honour their veterans and the sacrifices they make as members of our armed forces. One of the ways we do it here in Australia is with the fairly odd tradition of ANZAC Day two-up – betting on the flipping of two coins. First, of course, Sydney starts ANZAC Day with the big Dawn Service, which is back at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, commencing at 4.20am. The ANZAC Day March through the Sydney CBD kicks off at 9am and ends with a 12.30pm commemoration service by the Pool of Remembrance at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park. Then, after you've formally paid your respects, it's time for the coin toss. From carpark parties to beer gardens with grandstands, we've scoured the best Sydney venues for a rowdy game of two-up this ANZAC Day.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere else to grab a drink? Check out the best bars in Sydney right now.

Sydney is certainly not lacking in day spas, but when you want your indulgence in self-rejuvenation to have a bit more of a destination element to it, you can’t go past the Blue Mountains’ best. The area has some great spas to cater to all your relaxing desires – from stress-busting massages and skin-smoothing facials to treatments you didn’t even know you needed, like a zesty ginger-infused ‘cocooning’. Make a day trip of it or sneak off for a mud-wrap during your next getaway, at one of these five stellar Blue Mountains’ day spas.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best eateries in the Blue Mountains.You'll find the best bushwalks in the Blue Mountains here. And these are the best places to rest your head.

Last year we bid farewell to Succession, Barry and Top Boy, fell hard for Beef, Colin From Accounts and Blue Lights. The next 12 months should help us move on – the potential impact of 2023’s writers’ strike notwithstanding – as early hits like World War II epic Masters of the Air and Mr and Mrs Smith, Prime Video’s intoxicating mix of witty marital drama and zippy espionage caper, are already proving. Ahead are hotly-anticipated new runs of Bridgerton and Squid Game on Netflix, a third season of Industry, a sci-fi prequel in Dune: Prophecy, HBO’s barbed political satire The Regime, Park Chan-wook spy thriller The Sympathizer, and The Franchise, the latest from telly genius Armando Iannucci – among many other potentially binge-worthy offerings. But there’s only so many hours in the day and you can’t spend all of them on the sofa. Here’s our guide to the shows most worthy of your time.RECOMMENDED: 🔥 The best TV and streaming shows of 2023🎥 The best movies of 2024 (so far)📺 The 100 greatest ever TV shows you need to binge

From the razzle dazzle of big budget musicals to indie theatre gems, there's pretty much always a mind-boggling amount to pick from on Sydney's stages. Check out all our top theatre selections for the month below. SEE ALSO: You'll be back: Hamilton returns in July, check out the amazing cast Fancy some art? Check out the best exhibitions in Sydney this month

From musicals based on much-loved and seriously messed up kids’ TV shows to gothic horror reimagined via icons returning to the stage after decades away, this year in theatre is shaping up to be one of the strongest we’ve seen in quite some time.Here are a few shows we know you’ll want to catch before it’s too late to say you were there. RECOMMENDED: Culture vultures, come and get your fix at these top Australian art galleries. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 

Whether you favour sculpture, painting, photography or textiles, there’s something for everyone spread across Australia’s biggest art exhibitions in 2024. Here are just a few of our favourites that have us booking flights in eager anticipation. RECOMMENDED: The best musical and theatre shows to see in Australia in 2024. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 

Buckle up, mates! Australia is set to rock 2024 with a jam-packed schedule of festivals and events. From dazzling light displays to dedicated food extravaganzas to vibrant spring flower festivals, there’s something worth travelling for in every state and territory. We’ve rounded up the best of the best, so you can start submitting those leave requests and planning your next getaway around these key events.  RECOMMENDED: Here are the best festivals worth travelling to in Australia this year. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 

Vivid Sydney just keeps on growing bigger and brighter – like a hungry caterpillar engulfing every building and monument in its sights, until eventually no inch of the city will be spared from the luminous wash of this eye-catching winter festival. Oh my! The Vivid Sydney Light Walk has grown so big, in fact, that light lookers are encouraged to tackle it over multiple nights. But with more than 60 different light attractions, glowing spectacles, huge immersive installations and countless experiences on the menu, it can be difficult to know where to get started. Don’t fret (we see you fretting), this is where we come in. We’ve scoured the city to put together the ultimate hit-list for Vivid Sydney 2023. So layer up warmly, pop on some comfy shoes, and get ready to light up the night! Vivid is on every day until Saturday, June 17, 2023. Note: Most Vivid light installations are free to explore, but a few Vivid installations are ticketed this year. We've included prices where applicable. Want to know more, like where to eat, drink or even stay for Vivid? Check out our guide to all things Sydney Vivid 2023 over here.

While manic repetition of squats, lunges, sprints and push-ups is one way to stay healthy and rev your engine with endorphins, some fitness fans prefer a more left-of-field sweat sesh than what a gym or an aggressive bootcamp can provide. These unusual workouts let you dance, bounce, swing and climb your way to a healthier you, and you'll have a ball getting there. If you can’t make it to a class (or are yet to stock up on the requisite glow sticks) you can make jogging fun along these scenic running routes in Sydney. Then, cool off in the salty embrace of our favourite ocean pools. After all that hard work, why not treat yourself? Check out Sydney's best spas. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.  

‘Mudgee’ comes from the Wiradjuri word ‘Moothi’ which means, romantically, ‘Nest in the Hills’. Flying in, you can see the truth to this moniker – Mudgee is a valley surrounded by gently curved peaks. It has a climate several degrees warmer than the surrounding high country, which, along with sandy loam soil, makes the area attractive to viticulturalists. Wine, and the accompanying fresh produce of a fertile wine country, are the most obvious drawcards of the region. We've even put together a list of the best wineries to visit while you're there. But you’ll also find national parks, heritage villages and artists’ towns in these here hills, alongside some truly excellent accommodation options. Want more travel inspiration? Here are six places where you can feel like you’re overseas without ever leaving NSW.

Eco-friendly, picture-perfect and sometimes surprisingly luxurious – tiny holiday houses are popping up all over the state. Whether or not you’re keen on the idea of living the tiny-house life full-time, a brief stay in one of these compact yet comfortable cabins – complete with soothing bushland or rural surrounds – is a novelty experience you should try at least once (so long as you don’t mind the idea of climbing a ladder to get into bed). We’ve rounded up some of the best tiny house escapes across New South Wales that you can call home for a weekend getaway from Sydney. Most are perfect for a romantic escape for two adults or are the ideal retreat for solo travelers looking for the ultimate me-time. Others have a little more room so you can vaycay with friends, the kids, and even the dog.  Want more? Check out our list of the best winter getaways you can take from Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, event listings and travel inspo, straight to your inbox.  

Believe it or not, we're already back at the school holidays, and if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for two weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered this summer with an ultimate list of the best activities and experiences happening in Sydney these school holidays. Check out something for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini-athletes, the musical prodigies and just about everyone in between. No sun? No worries. We've also included some indoor activities in the mix for those wet-weather days.  Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Praise be! In the biggest role of her career to date, Casey Donovan is confirmed to lead the cast in the Aussie debut of this divine musical comedy. The legendary casting doesn’t stop there, though – joining Casey in donning the habit is the much-loved Genevieve Lemon in the role of Mother Superior. After collecting five Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Sister Act will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from August and Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from November (all after a triumphant return to London’s West End earlier this year). Casey will be stepping into the sparkly shoes of the quick-witted disco diva Deloris (played by Whoopi Goldberg in the iconic 1992 film that inspired the stage show) whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody, she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent. Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she empowers the sisters to find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. With songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this feel-good show features original music by Tony and Oscar Award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted, and The Little Mermaid). Appearing on our screens from the age of 16, Casey Donovan has come a long way since she was named the youngest winner of Australian Idol (and we’re not just talking about when she was crowned “Queen of the Jungle” in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here). As one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers, Casey

Praise be! In the biggest role of her career to date, Casey Donovan is confirmed to lead the cast in the debut Melbourne season of this divine musical comedy. The legendary casting doesn’t stop there, though – joining Donovan in donning the habit is the much-loved Genevieve Lemon in the role of Mother Superior. After collecting five Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Sister Act will open at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from November (all after a triumphant return to London’s West End earlier this year). Donovan will be stepping into the sparkly shoes of the quick-witted disco diva Deloris (played by Whoopi Goldberg in the iconic 1992 film that inspired the stage show) whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody, she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent. Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she empowers the sisters to find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. With songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this feel-good show features original music by Tony and Oscar Award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted, and The Little Mermaid). Appearing on our screens from the age of 16, Casey Donovan has come a long way since she was named the youngest winner of Australian Idol (and we’re not just talking about when she was crowned “Queen of the Jungle” in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here). As one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers, Casey is an epic and sought afte

It's been almost 27 years since a certain bespectacled boy came out from under the stairs and learnt of his snake-conversing, broomstick-flying, billions-making powers. And he's as popular now as ever, spawning films, spin-off films, toys, games, apps and multiple stage adaptations – only one of which is, well, actually authorised. Whether you missed Melbourne’s record-breaking four-year run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, or you’re just looking to fill the void, Potterheads are in for a treat.  Who wants to sit through six hours of theatre anyway? Potted Potter – the hilarious show that condenses the entirety of the Harry Potter series into a tight 70 minutes – is ready to reunite Aussie audiences with the antics of Harry, Ron and Hermoine. (We are assuming show creators Daniel Clarkson and Jeff Turner glide over a lot of the endless camping that takes up an enormous amount of Deathly Hallows.)  The show has been touring for more than 15 years, and has even played Off Broadway and on the West End. Returning to Australia for the fifth time, the tour will kick off at the Canberra Theatre Centre from April 4–7 before heading to Sydney’s Seymour Centre from April 12–21, and finishing up at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from April 24–May 5. So go on, relive Harry's days at Hogwarts. And although the show wasn't written by You Know Who, what it lacks in intellectual property compliance it more than makes up for in laughs. We're pretty sure Fred and George Weasley would appro

Comedy, in this economy? Well heck, I don’t know about you, but I could sure do with a good hearty chuckle right about now. So it’s a good thing that the Sydney Comedy Festival is back with its biggest program ever in 2024 – more than 750 artists are gearing up to flood the city with laughter at more than 315 shows scattered across all corners of the city from April 22 to May 19.  From the household names we all know and love to ground-breaking newcomers who are shaking up the comedy scene, you can pick and choose between a kaleidoscopic array of gala showcases, intriguing solo stand-up shows and special events. With a whole lot of tickets coming in at under $30, there really is a “comedy concert” for everyone (just don’t look for Che Diaz on the line-up).  You can catch new shows from legendary Aussie comedians like Rhys Nicholson, Will Anderson, Tom Gleeson, Reuben Kaye, Melanie Bracewell, Steen Raskopolous, regular The Project panellist Peter Helliar, a hilarious night with Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke, comedy crack pot Reuben Solo, the sassy and sardonic Gen Fricker, Lizzy Hoo (loved for her Prime Video comedy special Hoo Cares!?) and 2022 Australia’s Got Talent finalist Emo Majok. Joining the long list of international stars is the much loved Stephen K Amos, 2016 English Comedian of the Year Josh Pugh, plus the fierce and fiery Irish comic Shane Daniel Byrne, and American history-meets-comedy podcast The Dollop is also heading Down Under for the Festival. Some of the most e

After attracting more than 22,000 visitors over two days last year, the National Indigenous Art Fair is returning to Gadigal Land this winter. This is your invitation to explore a vibrant ethical marketplace showcasing creations from remote and local First Nations artists, designers and makers from across the country. The annual two-day festival is marking its fifth year in 2024 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the Rocks, over the weekend of June 29-30. This event is a unique opportunity to peruse and buy artworks, textiles, jewellery, ceramics and artefacts directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.  The Art Fair also offers visitors the chance to experience Indigenous culture first-hand through a two-day festival program of dance, cultural displays, interactive Indigenous weaving circles, and workshops for adults and children. There will also be the opportunity to taste and learn about native bushfood. “It is a rare opportunity to meet artists from some of the most remote parts of Australia and provides them an opportunity to promote and sell their artworks and host workshops demonstrating their unique arts and cultural practice,” says Peter Cooley, the CEO of First Hand Solutions, the Sydney-based Aboriginal corporation that spearheads the festival. In the lead up to the Art Fair, artists will travel to Sydney to participate in First

From an impactful entrance with a rousing rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I’m Every Woman’ through to a slowed down, jazzy version of cupcakKe’s brazen dirty rap hit ‘[I’m rolling with the] LGBT’ and a unique reworking of a certain hit song made famous by Frank Sinatra, ‘My Way’ – Milo Hartill has the audience utterly entranced from beginning to end in her laugh-out-loud debut solo show, Black, Fat and F**gy (BFF).  There aren’t many 23-year-olds who could perform the latter song with the gravitas it demands – but Milo isn’t your average Gen Z triple-threat performer (slash underwear model and accidental influencer).  Painting a picture through a pastiche of personal stories, anecdotes, and interpretive covers of well-loved tunes, you can’t help but fall in love with this multifaceted entertainer by the end of this 70-odd-minute romp. The audience is allowed an intimate insight into the realities of life as a mixed race, fat, bisexual woman on antidepressants navigating tumultuous career paths in theatre, music and social media influencing. (As Hartill explains, it can get really demoralising, even if you are profusely hot and talented *sigh*.) Go see this entertainer now, before the industry catches up and puts her in the spotlight of every mainstage in the country. While Milo’s story is unavoidably centered around her position “stradling pretty much all of the hottest 2024 minorities”, she steers clear of self-deprecation while giving the middle finger to everyone and every

For many of us, our first introduction to The Rocky Horror Show involved a beaten up VHS tape and an exhilarating brew of conflicting feelings about Tim Curry’s iconic fishnet-stocking-clad role as Frank-N-Furter – the cross-dressing mad scientist alien from Transsexual, Transylvania. Beyond its immortalisation in the cult classic 1975 film, this rollicking rock’n’roll musical has been continuously on a stage somewhere in the world ever since it premiered to a small London audience in 1973 – and while today’s slick mainstage productions are a far cry from its grungy roots, there’s still no denying the appeal of doing ‘The Time Warp’ again. After touring around the country, Australia’s 50th anniversary production of Rocky Horror has taken a jump to the left (and a step to the right) to land back at Sydney’s Theatre Royal, about a year after it premiered at the same venue in the same month as Sydney WorldPride, with a couple of notable cast changes this time. It appears that the time on the road has done this company a world of good; the cast take to the stage with a more relaxed and playful energy as they tackle this risqué, silly, borderline-pantomime musical.  Former Australian of the Year and Paralympian Dylan Alcott is a delight to witness in his stage acting debut as The Narrator. With good humour, an ability to roll with the punches, and an injection of signature charm, Alcott nails the difficult-to-pin-down prerequisites to fill this role. The Narrator must be someone a

Legend has it that some of the most important conversations in the world have been had in drinking dens – from interventions about shitty boyfriends, to debates of great intellectual rigour. Hence, a bunch of switched on people have put their heads together, and decided to bring the classroom to the pub. For one night only on Tuesday, April 9, ten venues across Sydney are teaming up with the University of Sydney for Raising the Bar – an event designed to help boost intellects and provoke conversations by hosting 20 free talks about ‘Healthier Futures’. Don’t let the mention of the word ‘healthier’ give you the impression that these chats will be narrow in scope (or lead to a sales pitch for a weird supplement). The topics for these talks range from the benefits of riding public transport with dogs, to how big vape is hooking the next generation, whether depression is a form of jetlag, whether dark matter could save the world, and wearable technology that can improve your mental health. This is your chance to get those neurons firing, engage with the research that is shaping our city, and wax lyrical with academics in a laid-back atmosphere. We’re particularly thirsty to fetch ideas from Dr Jennifer Kent in her talk Riding in cars with dogs at the dog-friendly Wayward Brewery in Camperdown. “If we want Sydney to be a liveable, sustainable and global city, we need to let the dogs out on our public transport system,” says Dr Kent. “Over 40 per cent of Sydney’s households own one

Australian acting legend Hugo Weaving returns to the stage for this epic story, joined by one of Ireland’s greatest actors, Olwen Fouéré (Terminus). In a first-time co-production, Sydney Theatre Company has joined forces with Dublin’s renowned Gate Theatre to mount this new adaptation of Thomas Bernhard’s visionary touchstone of twentieth-century playwriting, The President. This unmissable theatrical event arrives at Roslyn Packer Theatre (playing April 13–May 18) direct from its premiere season in Dublin, and marks the first time Bernhard’s play has ever been staged for Australian audiences. In this dark comedy, Weaving and Fouéré play the President and First Lady of a small, unnamed country, whose regime is under siege. Despite a revolution brewing right outside their front door, the couple seem frozen in time. What follows is a mysterious trip into a complicated marriage and an unravelling political system. Joining the leading powerhouse duo is an exceptional Australian and Irish cast including Danny Adcock, Helmut Bakaitis, Tony Cogin, Alan Dukes, Julie Forsyth and Kate Gilmore.STC’s artistic director, Kip Williams says: “It's a phenomenal opportunity for audiences in both cultures to see this great play, but also for artists from both cultures to have their work seen on either side of the world. So I'm hugely excited for this, it's going to be an electric night of powerhouse performance.” Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, t

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived… Holy Six! Australia can’t get enough of Six the Musical. The pop-powered global phenomenon has already had multiple record-breaking seasons across the country. And now, due to popular demand, the disgraced wives of King Henry VIII are warming up their voices for another lap Down Under. Six the Musical will hit the Comedy Theatre from August 3 and tickets are currently on sale until September 8. Have you had enough of modern royal gossip? Hanging your head in shame over those cracks about Princess Kate secretly getting a BBL? Distract yourself with this modern twist on British Tudor history. It’s packed with pop bangers so catchy that they’ll flush any other thoughts out of your head. As our critic described it in their four-star review: “What if the Spice Girls did a concept album about King Henry VIII’s wives, and Baz Luhrmann directed the concert video?”  That, in a nutshell, is the vibe. More like an 80-minute concert than a traditional musical, Six has become a cultural phenomenon since its premiere in 2017, redefining the boundaries of musical theatre and engaging audiences of all ages. Every year, it is seen by more than 3.5 million people worldwide.  The premise is sort of hilarious: all six women who married old mate Henry are forming a pop band, and they’re battling it out to determine who will be crowned the lead singer. The stakes? The one who had the worst time of being married to the infamous Tudor King will

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived… Holy Six! Australia can’t get enough of Six the Musical. The pop-powered global phenomenon has already had multiple record-breaking seasons across the country. And now, due to popular demand, the disgraced wives of King Henry VIII are warming up their voices for another lap Down Under. The tour is kicking off at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from August 2024, before hitting the Sydney stage at the Theatre Royal from October 2024, and bringing it home at QPAC’s Playhouse in Brisbane from January 2025.  Have you had enough of modern royal gossip? Hanging your head in shame over those cracks about Princess Kate secretly getting a BBL? Distract yourself with this modern twist on British Tudor history, it’s packed with pop bangers so catchy that they’ll flush any other thoughts out of your head. As our critic described it in their four-star review: “What if the Spice Girls did a concept album about King Henry VIII’s wives, and Baz Luhrmann directed the concert video?”  That, in a nutshell, is the vibe. More like an 80-minute concert than a traditional musical, Six has become a cultural phenomenon since its premiere in 2017, redefining the boundaries of musical theatre and engaging audiences of all ages. Every year, it is seen by over 3.5 million people worldwide.  The premise is sort of hilarious: all six women who married old mate Henry are forming a pop band, and they’re battling it out to determine who will be crowned the lea

Over nine glorious nights, a tribe of anarchic creatives are taking over a beloved Inner West sanctum, Marrickville’s Flight Path Theatre, inviting all who dare to dream of a love-in of music, theatre, and punk-rock revelry this March. Each night will begin with a performance of the one-act play, Cowboy Mouth, the surreal, fevered real-life love story penned by famed playwright Sam Shepard (True West, Buried Child) and the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll herself, Patti Smith. Conceived on a typewriter in the chaotic infamy of New York’s Chelsea Hotel, Cowboy Mouth is an urban fable about a woman who kidnaps a young man at gunpoint, taking him hostage from his wife and child to make him a pop prophet, ''like a rock-and-roll Jesus with a cowboy mouth.” Brought to the Sydney stage by Soft Shock productions, this subversive play is an exhilarating and poetic gunfight of a story, crafted as a cautionary tale about using art as deliverance from our flaws and the danger of relating to someone’s potential instead of who they are. Following each performance of Cowboy Mouth, the space will shift from gritty and dangerous indie theatre to a riotous evening of live music. You can expect sets from some of Sydney’s most exciting live bands including, Dande and The Lion, Silky Roads, Georgie Jones, Locked in Lummo, The Polymics, Stitcher, and Elysae. Broke Down Music Box: A 9-Day Festival of Live Performance + Music is taking over Flight Path Theatre, Marrickville, from March 21–30, playing from

When you live in an utterly image-saturated culture, it can be all too easy to underestimate the power of the photograph, as well as the skills and processes behind the creation of an impactful image. Add the fact that practically all of us walk around with a device fitted with a camera in our pocket at all times, and the ominously growing prevalence of AI-generated imagery, and this muddies the waters even further. Freshen up your perspective by checking out the 2024 finalists of the National Photography Prize, Australia's longest-running acquisitive photographic award. Established in 1983 at the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) on Wiradjuri Country, where it is still hosted to this day, the biennial award and exhibition is a snapshot (pardon the pun) of where photography is at as a medium.   From traditional film stills to digital imagery, unassuming smartphone snaps and camera-less imprints – when does a photographic piece count as art? Likewise, what qualifies a photograph as an important piece of documentation? The finalists of the National Photography Prize might just have the answers – these artists are pushing the boundaries of the photographic medium, and challenging existing languages and techniques. MAMA is a fresh and experimental gallery with a strong focus on photography, and Time Out’s Alannah Le Cross (that’s me) headed out there to explore the 2024 National Photography Prize exhibition (showing ‘til September 1 2024, free entry) with some guidance from MAMA’s

After an extraordinary 13 years with Sydney Theatre Company and eight as Artistic Director, Kip Williams today announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the year, after launching his eighth and final program in September.  Following the phenomenal success of his boundary-pushing cine-theatre epic The Picture of Dorian Gray, which is receiving rave reviews in London’s West End after being picked up by super producer Michael Cassel, Kip has decided to hand over the reins to a new Artistic Director at the end of 2024 as he makes space in his schedule for a potential Broadway season in 2025. Kip will begin rehearsals in the coming weeks for his highly anticipated new adaptation of Dracula, the third and final installment in his Gothic cine-theatre trilogy (which also includes his adaptation of Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde). He will continue to be an integral presence at STC in 2025, with tours planned for Dracula and a brand-new work to be unveiled as part of his final program for STC, which will be announced in September.  Photograph: STC/Daniel Boud | Eryn Jean Norvil in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' On announcing his departure to STC staff on Friday, Kip said: “Serving as Artistic Director at Sydney Theatre Company has been the honour of a lifetime. Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work with the most extraordinary theatre makers in the country and have been fortunate enough to program and help bring to life 89 productions for S

You’ll find one of Sydney’s most impressive museums, The Chau Chak Wing Museum, on the picturesque grounds of the University of Sydney. The purpose-built modern building stands in contrast to the university’s heritage sandstone facades, housing significant collections of objects that document art, science, history and ancient cultures. Among them, the museum is home to Australia’s largest permanent collection of Egyptian antiquities – not be confused with the Australian Museum's current major exhibition, Ramses and the Gold of Pharaohs, which is on loan from Egypt. The Chau Chak has a holding of more than 5,000 items, including mummified human and animal remains, and more than 300 items are on display at any one time. However, as of this week, visitors to the museum will no longer be able to see some particularly coveted items from the Ancient Egyptian collection in the public display – those items that are actual human body parts.  “For hundreds of years body parts in museum collections have been treated as objects,” said Dr Melanie Pitkin, Senior Curator of the museum’s Nicholson Collection.  “We have become so accustomed to seeing them on show that we often forget they once belonged to living people.”  Photograph: Chantel Le Cross | The Nicholson Collection at the Chau Chak Wing Museum Unwrapped ancient Egyptian mummified body parts will be returned to the Museum’s closely monitored collection store while the museum works to implement better practices with Egyptian comm

How do you tell the story of a mixed race, self-proclaimed fat, bisexual underwear model, performer and accidental Instagram influencer? You sing the shit out of a fistfull of killer songs in a brand spanking new cabaret, of course. Introducing Milo Hartill’s debut solo show – the boldly titled Black, Fat and F**gy. You can catch the world premiere of this subversive romp at Sydney’s Old Fitz Theatre (the last remaining pub theatre in the country) from April 3–13.  “I love to sing with people, and I love to make people laugh. I wanted it to feel like a live podcast where I happen to sing for half of it,” says Milo. The charismatic performer recently took a breather from rehearsals to sit down for a chat with Time Out Sydney’s Arts and Culture Editor, Alannah Le Cross. Terms like “rising star” get thrown about often, but it’s a pretty accurate descriptor for this multi-hyphenate entertainer (who is also known as That Fat Diva on Instagram). Graduating with a musical theatre degree in 2018, the now 24-year-old Milo was catapulted to national attention in the most unlikely way – by starring in an advertisement for Google, where her big smile brought so much joy to people living through pandemic lockdowns that she was interviewed on morning television about it.  Being black, fat and queer is fucking joyous – and the negatives that come with that, under certain framing, are fucking funny! But Milo shines the brightest when performing live. In addition to shaking her booty at queer

For any performer, taking on a leading role in a musical is a big deal. When you’re one of the main people in the spotlight, the pressure is on. But aside from learning lines, hitting all the right notes and nailing all the steps, the stars of Opera Australia’s West Side Story on Sydney Harbour must also contend with Mother Nature. Yep – wind, rain, fluctuating temperatures, seagulls – all whilst navigating a slanted stage that’s more than twice the size of any indoor stage in Australia. But when Arts & Culture Editor Alannah Le Cross went behind the scenes at the harbourside stage to meet award-winning soprano Nina Korbe and triple-threat tenor Billy Bourchier, who are both making their lead debut, it was clear that they’re both revelling in the opportunity of a lifetime.  “It's mind-boggling and very humbling, and something that I'm incredibly grateful for as an opportunity. I'm really trying to take it by the reins and run with it,” says Nina. A proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, Wakka Wakka woman, Nina is actively involved in the championing of First Nations voices. She began performing with Opera Queensland at the age of just 15, and has gone on to perform with some of the country’s most esteemed orchestras and opera companies. Playing the role of the wistful young Maria, West Side Story is her professional debut.  Photograph: Opera Australia/Keith Saunders Alongside her, Canberra-born Billy Bourchier steps into the spotlight as Tony, the former gang member who seals his fate wh

Australia’s much anticipated return season of Lin Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop-infused musical megahit Hamilton is getting closer, and the producers have finally revealed the cast who will be treading the boards when the exclusive Sydney season opens in late July – and we simply can’t wait for it. Some of the original cast members of the Antipodean production are back on board, along with a fresh mix of new faces. Making her Hamilton debut is rising star Vidya Makan, taking on the iconic role of Eliza Hamilton. A critically acclaimed and award-winning composer/lyricist and actor/singer dedicated to championing minority voices, Vidya is a perfect addition to this revolutionary musical. She originated the role of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife, in the Australian tour of Six the Musical, and last year she debuted her own original musical The Lucky Country at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Co, a rollicking chamber musical that digs deep into the idea of Australia, identity and belonging. Other newcomers who couldn’t say no to this include Gerard-Luke Malgas as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Etuate Lutui as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, and Googoorewon Knox as George Washington. Tainga Savage, who appeared in the original Australian company and the international tour, steps into a principal role as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.  Australia’s original Alexander Hamilton, Jason Arrow, will reprise the titular role of the “polymath, pain in the ass” – which is great

Here we go, again. UK Producer and DJ Fred again.. has had Aussies in a chokehold with his current run of surprise concerts, which all began with a record-breaking show at the Sydney Opera House on February 27. He’s not loosening his grip either – on day two of his sell-out three-night run at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, Fred announced one more big surprise show. He will be taking over The Domain on Saturday, March 16, and he’s bringing some friends. He’ll be joined by his close friend JOY (ANONYMOUS), plus local superstars Sam Alfred and Dameeeela. Fred posted the following message to his Instagram story on Wednesday, March 13: "Okayyyy Sydney. We're going to do a big fat sorta end of shows week party at the main on Saturday. Imma be DJing wit some friends." As with the Opera House show, tickets dropped for sale without any warning at 2pm this afternoon. We’re getting reports that loads of people are stuck in the Ticketek waiting room page (at time of publication). While the Domain can handle a capacity of 50,000 people, there are reports that more than 170,000 people were in line for tickets for Fred’s first surprise show of this run. So, good luck to you if you’re just seeing this now!  Photograph: Alannah Le Cross | Fred again.. at Qudos Bank Arena Time Out’s Arts & Culture Editor Alannah Le Cross (that’s me!) was at Fred’s first arena show at Qudos, and I can confirm that this lad really does have a knack for turning a Tuesday night into a great big party. The vibes at a

Dust off your gold hotpants! Hot off her recent record-smashing appearance in Triple J’s Hottest 100, Australia's (and the world’s) original pop princess Kylie Minogue has been announced as the headliner of Splendour in the Grass in 2024. We should be so lucky!  Kylie will make a triumphant return home to stamp her name in the annals of Splendour lore this July, in what will be an exclusive Australian appearance. If the clips we’ve seen from her ongoing Las Vegas residency are anything to go by – let alone that legendary set she performed at Sydney WorldPride last year – our Kylie promises a show-stopping performance drawn from her illustrious career spanning decades. The full 2024 line-up for Splendour (Australia's answer to Glastonbury and Coachella, set on the fields of Ngarindjin, North Byron Parklands) was leaked overnight. It looks like there’s something to please everyone in this stacked selection, which traverses chart-topping headliners, underground favourites and rising stars. In the headliners camp, our golden girl Kylie is set to take to the Amphitheatre stage on Friday night; next up is pioneering mumble-rap pioneer Future, making his eagerly awaited comeback Down Under to finesse your Saturday night; and Sunday’s epic finale will be an explosion of indie-rock energy from Canadian sensations Arcade Fire, who will take the stage for their first Australian appearance in more than ten years.  Photograph: Supplied/Splendour in the Grass | Future Elsewhere, Norwegia

With the fierce looks of a rhinestone-studded evil stepmother and a heart of gold, Michelle Visage has made a career of going toe-to-toe with drag queens as RuPaul Charles’ right-hand woman on RuPaul’s Drag Race. And now, Drag Race fans are about to see the OG Jersey girl take the lead as the host of the brand new season of Drag Race Down Under, replacing the supermodel of the world herself, RuPaul.  Premiering later this year on Stan, the fourth season of Down Under will be the first time that Michelle Visage is taking on the highly-regarded role as host in the franchise’s 15-year herstory. Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson is returning as a judge on the new series, and the pair will be joined on the main stage by a rotating cast of Down Under’s glittering drag royalty (the cast is still TBC). Visage is celebrating the announcement in Sydney (she even made a surprise appearance at a Drag Race viewing party at Oxford Street gay bar Universal over the weekend) and Time Out’s resident queer culture vulture Alannah Le Cross caught up with Mother herself to sop up all the tea (and hear how she tried not to overthink it with her big "Virgo brain").  Photograph: Rebecca Hegedus | Time Out's Alannah Le Cross snaps a selfie with Michelle Visage Michelle (along with her dry humour and her assortment of iconic laughs, from the "pa-hahahaha" to the “ha-HA!”) has been a mainstay on the judging panel of the smash-hit television series (which is credited with “taking drag mainstream”) since

A smattering of biodegradable glitter on the streets and a few sore heads this morning are evidence that the city just celebrated the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. An estimated 250,000 spectators gathered on Saturday, March 2, as more than 12,000 participants lit up the traditional parade route along Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade for the 46th annual LGBTQIA+ pride march. Check out photo highlights from the parade below.  Photograph: Sydney Mardi Gras/Jordan Munns This year's theme, "Our Future...", served as a powerful call to action, inviting parade participants and spectators alike to envision and contribute to the path forward for the LGBTQIA+ community. It was a night that melded the legacy of protest with the joy of celebration, featuring 200 floats, led by the beloved Dykes on Bikes, First Nations and 78er floats.  Photograph: Sydney Mardi Gras/Jordan Munns The ABC’s live broadcast of the Mardi Gras Parade topped the free-to-air television ratings for the night, reaching approximately 1,834,000 households according to Media Spy (and as far as we can tell, that figure doesn’t count everyone who streamed it on ABC iview). Drag icon Courtney Act and ABCQueer’s Mon Schafter were at the helm of the hosting desk along with a smattering of reporters and guests hosts, including chart-topping musician G Flip and award-winning actor Remy Hii.  The most significant part of the ABC’s coverage was arguably when Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith jo

UPDATE, FEB 28: Find out more about Fred again..'s March shows at Qudos Bank Arena over here. UPDATE, FEB 27, 10.30AM: Fred again.. has announced he will play a surprise set at the Sydney Opera House tonight – that's Tuesday, February 27. After days of cryptic clues, he posted to Instagram this morning announcing that he has not only touched down in Australia, but that he will be playing at the country's most iconic performing arts venue on this very evening! Tickets are now on sale via the Sydney Opera House website over here. These hot tickets are guaranteed to sell out in a hurry, so don't dawdle! FROM EARLIER: If you’re any kind of electronic music lover, you'll know that Fred again... is a fan of a secret show. The wildly famous English producer toured Australia as part of Laneway Festival in early 2023, quickly decided his sideshows weren’t enough, and wreaked havoc by announcing a last-minute secret show. A year later, rumours are rife that the producer, known for his hit dance tracks including ‘Jungle’ and ‘Marea (we’ve lost dancing)’, is on his way Down Under for a series of as-yet unannounced shows. Personally, we’re locating our earplugs and laying out our comfiest dancing shoes just in case, because if the theories swirling around the internet are to be believed, Fred again.. could be playing in Sydney as soon as this week. To be clear, nothing official has come to light just yet, but Fred has definitely been hinting at something over on his Instagram. First, he p

Last night UK producer Fred again.. made history at the Sydney Opera House – becoming the first-ever artist to announce, sell out, and perform at the iconic venue, all within 24 hours. Announced on Instagram yesterday and immediately placed on sale, the news saw over 145,000 people rush to purchase tickets before the show blew out. The largest on-sale demand the acoustically revitalised Concert Hall has ever had.  The electronic music juggernaut – known for his hit dance tracks including ‘Jungle’ and ‘Marea (we’ve lost dancing)’ – treated fans to a two-hour set spanning his rapidly growing catalogue. With everyone on their feet from the moment he took the stage, the Concert Hall was transformed into a heaving Tuesday night dance party for the duration of the electric and unforgettable show. Don’t despair if you were one of the unlucky punters who missed out on a ticket, you haven’t lost your shot to see arguably the most hyped live act of our time. Today, the fever continues as he announces a string of enormous arena shows beginning in Melbourne next week. Supported by JOY (ANONYMOUS), Fred again.. will perform three nights at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena and three nights at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, plus the Gold Coast (location TBC).  Photograph: SOH/Daniel Boud | Fred again..'s surprise Sydney Opera House show on February 27, 2024 The Sydney tour dates are coming up next month on Tuesday March 12, Wednesday March 13, and Thursday March 14. Tickets are on sale to the Gene