Bertolt Brecht’s infamous first play, Baal features a complicated folding set, three kinds of stage rain, fancy lighting and more nudity than a weekend with Lucian Freud, writes Andrew Fuhrmann, of theatre blog Curtain Call.
April, 2011
Review: Lawrence Mooney’s An Indecisive Bag of Donuts (Melbourne Comedy Festival)
The apparent ease with which Lawrence Mooney recites consistently hilarious material must rankle the spirits of other thoroughly decent comedians who seem to work twice as hard for half the result, writes Luke Buckmaster.
The new editorial playing field for ABC journos
An interesting landmark in Australian media ethics yesterday, particularly given the headlines about Rupert Murdoch’s troubles and the News of the World.
John Pasquarelli leaps to the defence of Chris and Leigh
Former Pauline Hanson adviser John Pasquarelli has defended Chris Uhlmann and Leigh Sales, describing them as “obejctive.” Youch! A compliment from him doesn’t mean an awful lot, writes Jeremy Sear.
No government shutdown, but a lot of unnecessary backslapping
Both sides of politics in the US have been quick to congratulate themselves on avoiding a government shutdown. Voters will be forgiven for thinking “enough already, get back to work.”
Women on the front line
Crikey media wrap: A sex scandal in the Defence Force has led to Australian women finally being allowed to fight on the front line and opened a conversation on misogyny and the culture of Australia’s defence force academies.
1001 Australian Nights: an interview with Dave Graney (part two)
In part two of Gerard Elson’s interview with Dave Graney, the newly minted author-cum-musician discusses the Australian music scene, the ABC and the “petty income” of a musician.
50 years ago the first cosmonaut shouted “off we go”
Fifty years ago Australian time Yuri Gagarin was blasted into a single orbit flight around the earth, becoming the first human to fly beyond the aerodynamic limits of the atmosphere and enter space, writes Ben Sandilands.
film reviews Justin Bieber: Never Say Never movie review — one for the beliebers
Director Jon Chu’s documentary about the teen superstar with the voice of a mature age chipmunk doesn’t explain his fame. Nobody can — it’s a mystery, writes Luke Buckmaster.
podcast A conversation with Rod Quantock
Veteran comedian Rod Quantock is known for his peculiar, often political stand-up comedy. He chews the fat with comedy blogger Matt Smith about current politics, his new show The Insane Asylum and much more.
How goes the developed world?
The OECD released its latest updates on economic activities in the Western world, with data pointing to continued expansion in most OECD countries, robust expansion expected in the United States, writes Richard Farmer.
The 2010 Australian election study
The latest Essential Research is in, with one particular graph showing when voters decided who they were voting for in last year’s election, reports William Bowe.
Gas giants flex muscles in carbon tax fight
The Australian media is abuzz today with news of a campaign by the gas company giants for exemption from the carbon tax. Laura Griffin explains who’s who and why you need to be wary.
theatre reviews Baal — Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne
Baal is an intelligent, analytical and very stylish adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s infamous first play, writes Andrew Fuhrmann.
travel Should you visit Auschwitz?
People planning to visit us in Poland usually run their draft itinerary past Jay Martin. At some point they inevitably pause and sigh. “I suppose I should visit Auschwitz, shouldn’t I?” they ask.
ABC editorial policies come into operation
This week the new ABC editorial policies come into force. As covered by Crikey previously, this is the product of a comprehensive shake-up, writes Margaret Simons.
Essential: hit companies, not welfare, to fix the deficit
Voters would prefer companies and high income earners to pay more tax rather than welfare recipients getting slugged, today’s Essential Report shows.
Singo hits the jackpot with pro-pokies punting licence campaign
Millionaire ad man John Singleton’s wallet might be lighter after shouting the bar after a recent Group One victory at Rosehill, but the lion’s share he’ll bank of this morning’s $20 million “Its [sic] un-Australian” campaign on behalf of the Australian Hotels Association and Clubs Australia is almost certain to cure the hangover.
It was 50 years ago that a flight of fantasy became fact
Fifty years ago tomorrow afternoon (Australian time) Yuri Gagarin was blasted into a single-orbit flight around the Earth, becoming the first human into space.
Simons: journalists do dirty work, but ethical rules matter
Does James Murdoch really think such a scandal, such a comprehensive breach of trust reaching so high into the government of a major Western nation, can be “put in a box”?
China’s crackdown driven by economic stresses and an emboldened Left
China’s crackdown on dissent is only the culmination of a wave of repression by a government facing growing economic discontent.
Guy Rundle: Rundle: Wow. News of the World hacking scandal explodes
The whole scandal has blown up mere weeks after News was given the go-ahead to take a controlling interesting in Sky Broadcasting.
Daily Proposition: Read Sloane Crosley’s essays
American writer Sloane Crosley’s personal essays are original, funny and observant, says Laura Griffin. Before the HBO miniseries, read her two bestselling collections.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: FOI: to know what’s right to know
Crikey readers have their say.
