Things to do in Melbourne today

The curtain lifts on Peter and the Starcatcher at Arts Centre Melbourne, a sparkling concoction of puppetry, music, charm and stagecraft. If there’s ever been a time to pull out the word enchanting, this is it. Adapted by Rick Elice – known for bringing narrative depth to classic tales – and directed by David Morton, this smash-hit, five-time Tony Award-winning production partners with the Dead Puppet Society. And yes, they had us at "puppets". The show is sprinkled with shimmering, inventive puppetry that brings a delightful layer of magic to the stage.  Elice’s adaptation cuts the "S" in Starcatchers to make room for two leads: Peter Pan (Otis Dhanji) and Molly (Olivia Deeble), the Starcatcher herself. And while Peter is discovering his name and Molly is saving the world and her father, Lord Aster (Alison Whyte), Elice sneaks in light-hearted pokes at adventure tropes and British colonialism. There’s a magical substance called starstuff that gives people what they most desire, transforming a scotch salmon into a mermaid and a bird into Tinkerbell, and everyone’s after it. Including Colin Lane, who is memorable as Black Stache, a pirate with a peculiar politeness and a biting disdain for children. Lane’s timing is impeccable – especially when a fire alarm goes off mid-show, which he turned into an impromptu comedy break, riffing with the audience. Later, he added some extra banter that momentarily broke the production’s spell but earned big laughs from the school kids in the

When Tony, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning star of stage and screen Maggie Smith departed this mortal coil on September 27, the wave of social media adulation celebrating her life’s remarkable work was tear-jerking, rabble-rousing and chuckle-inducing in equal measure. In the mix was, of course, her withering wonder as Mother Superior, trained on Whoopi Goldberg’s lounge singer on the run and in disguise as a nun in 1992’s cinematic Sister Act.     Joseph Maher’s Bishop O’Hara reminds her of her duty, “You took a vow of hospitality for all in need,” as she tartly replies, with only the most meagre hint of regret, “I lied.”   One of the wittiest lines in the film, directed by Dirty Dancing helmer Emile Ardolino, receives a show-stealing twist in the goofily splendid musical. Helpmann Award-winning actor Genevieve Lemon scored one of the biggest laughs of the night when she stepped into Mother Superior’s habit on opening night of the Melbourne staging, held within the hallowed hall of the Regent Theatre, opposite Australian Idol alum Casey Donovan as irrepressible singer Deloris van Cartier.   They’re a mighty double act playing off each other with abundant charm in this musical version that’s been transplanted from Reno/San Francisco in the ‘90s to Philadelphia in the ‘70s, replacing the original soundtrack with a funkier soul train thanks to mellifluous music from EGOT-winner – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – Alan Menken, cheeky lyrics by Glenn Slater and a sassy book by Ch

Tina Turner was the bread and butter of our household TV screen. She belted alongside Mick Jagger at Live Aid, leather-clad and big hair, raced her supercharged engine across Coober Pedy in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and assured the world that everything would be alright as David Bowie slipped out of the shadows during her Private Dancer Tour. She was one of music’s indomitable icons, a powerhouse; she was the Queen of Rock‘n’Roll. When Tina – The Tina Turner Musical finally rolled into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre after its West End debut and national run, it arrived with sky-high expectations. Having stacked up Tony and Olivier nominations as well as praise from Rolling Stone for its ability to simultaneously “entertain and enlighten”, I’m relieved to say that this Melbourne production did not disappoint. Leather, shoulder pads and sequins that would make Tina herself proud, danced across the red carpet on opening night with hundreds, including local Australian stars, paying homage. For someone like me, who never experienced Tina live beyond the glow of a television screen, the energy certainly made it feel like the real deal.  The musical, written by Katori Hall alongside Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, stays true to Tina’s journey – thanks, in part, to Tina herself. From her early days in Nutbush, Tennessee, with gospel choirs and dusty churches, to the St. Louis blues scene where she met Ike Turner, across the globe to the soggy streets of

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year's cherry-picking season kicked off early on November 2 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. On November 25, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will follow suit and open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. And the fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. The sweet specialists at Mary Eats Cake have created three different-sized packs featuring treats like shakshuka quiche, cherry delight doughnuts and a selection of cheeses. And if you visit on a weekend or public holidays, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run until late December at the Coldstream orchard,

From the story’s origins hundreds of years ago, to its transformation into the classic 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast really is a tale as old as time. In its musical form, the production hasn’t been seen in Melbourne since the ’90s, when Hugh Jackman famously performed as Gaston in his first professional role. Fast forward three decades and we’re once again seeing a Melbourne stage transformed into the provincial town and Baroque castle we know so well. Only this time round, the lavish set design is augmented with cleverly integrated digital screens. It’s just one of several updates that ensure this reimagined production of the beloved fairytale keeps up with the times. From the moment the curtain rises, it’s clear this is a large-scale musical with all the belles, whistles and big bucks. Visual splendour is the MO here – think kaleidoscopic costumes, gasp-inducing illusions and spectacular lighting – and it’s easy to see why this show broke box office records at Brisbane’s QPAC.  However, all that Disney investment would be useless without the gifted cast. Shubshri Kandiah exudes whimsy-with-a-backbone as bookworm Belle, charming us with her sweet songs and sassy moments – though the folks in her provincial town just don’t get it.  Brendan Xavier’s beast is alternately ferocious and boyish. His startled squeals and hair-twirling moments help make Belle’s dramatic change in feelings a touch more believable. Both leads shine in their solo numbers, with Xavier’s ‘If I C

We can picture it now – the sun is shining, we’ve got a bev in hand, and we’re at the glorious Royal Botanic Gardens ready to enjoy some live music. It’s an idyllic daydream, but it’s one that could soon become a reality. All you have to do is snap up tickets. Live at the Gardens is a brand new gig series popping up in Melbourne, where the lush, expansive lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens will host up to 5,000 people for an eclectic mix of musical acts. The concerts will kick off across two weekends in November, with more gigs planned for March in what is set to become an ongoing series. The line-up for the debut Live at the Gardens session has been announced, as has the date of Friday, November 15. We’ve got our fingers crossed for blue skies and a gentle spring breeze. Dancefloor legends The Presets will take the stage, supported by Midnight Juggernauts DJs. Haiku Hands and Joey Lightbulb will also be out in force, creating a well-rounded line-up. Next up, Crowd favourite and dual ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Matt Corby will headline on Saturday, November 16, with support from ARIA Best Rock Album winners Middle Kids. This one-night-only affair will also be Corby’s only Victorian show. Fast-forward to Friday, November 22 for indie legend Chet Faker, who will celebrate the tenth anniversary of Built on Glass with support from Mildlife and Phoebe Go. Alternatively, rock up on Saturday, November 23 for singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and activist Xavier Rudd

Fans of sneaky street art, rejoice! The acclaimed works of Banksy, the mysterious master of graffiti, are coming to Australia, and you won't even need to scour the city's laneways to see them for yourself. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is a blockbuster exhibition that will feature murals, sculptures, photos, mapping shows (aka images or animations projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces), installations (including an “infinity room” filled with mirrors) and a simulation of ‘Dismaland Bemusement Park’ (for those who’ve never heard of it, it’s a gritty, dark theme park that was created by Banksy in 2015). It will also include a mix of replicas and originals of some of the artist's most famous works, like 'Rude Copper', 'Flower Thrower' and the instantly recognisable 'Girl with Balloon'. But wait, that's not all: Banky's recent Ukraine murals will be referenced, and there’s even a space that pays homage to the MV Louise Michel, the high-speed boat that Banksy financially keeps afloat in the Mediterranean Sea to rescue refugees. The exhibition will take place at The Disctrict Docklands, and has just been extended until December 21. You can snap up a ticket here.  Will Banksy be in attendance? Is this the moment Banksy's real identity will be revealed? The artist hasn't endorsed the exhibition, but knowing him, anything could happen!  Get pumped for the Banksy exhibition by checking out the best street art in Melbourne.

The multi-award-winning Queenscliff Music Festival is back with a three-day celebration of live music, locally sourced produce and beverages and kid-friendly activities. Take the easy drive down to Queenscliff and enjoy the relaxed beachy atmosphere during the festival, which takes place across three days from November 22-24.  As usual, this year’s Queenscliff Musical line-up has been curated to showcase Aussie talent across rock, folk, indie, blues, country and more, with a sprinkling of international flavours.  Standout artists include Michael Franti and Spearhead, indie folk star Marlon Williams, acclaimed country singer Kasey Chambers, Aussie great Xavier Rudd, vocal powerhouse Grace Cummings and Melbourne heavyweights Cash Savage and The Last Drinks. And don’t worry, the kiddies will be delighted by the legendary Wiggles Sound System.  Ticket varieties abound, including single day passes, camping tickets, glamping options and multi-day passes on offer. You can find more line-up and ticketing information here.

From ‘You're Beautiful’ to ‘Goodbye My Lover’, James Blunt has been beside us as we walked through the rain, wrestling with our emotions and finding musical remedies to our heartache. Kinda dramatic and emotional? Sorry, that's just the vibe he gives us. And now, the British star is heading to Australia for a massive tour in 2024.   When is James Blunt performing in Melbourne? James Blunt’s Who We Used To Be tour will comprise five arena shows in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth, and will hit Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, November 24, 2024.Blunt’s last headline show on Australian soil took place over six years ago, and the singer has stated his eagerness to get back in front of Australian fans."It’s been a few years since I last toured Down Under, and you’ve always been like a second home to me.  I cannot wait to be touring there again and playing for some of the best audiences in the world!" said Blunt. What will James Blunt’s Melbourne show be like? Though the show is a celebration of his most recent album, Who We Used To Be, fans can also expect to hear favourites from Blunt’s discography.  How can I get tickets to the James Blunt show and how much do they cost?  Early bird pre-sale tickets will be available from 10am on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 via Destroy All Lines, and on general sale via Ticketek from 9am on Friday, December 8. Ticket prices are yet to be released. Can't wait that long? Here are gigs with tickets on sale right now.

Melbourne’s cutting-edge digital art gallery, The Lume, brings Europe’s artistic masterpieces to life. Its immersive experiences have featured the works of renowned painters including Van Gogh, Monet, and most recently, Leondaro Da Vinci.  For its latest multi-sensory tribute to Italy’s famous polymath, artist and inventor, The Lume is taking things to new heights (quite literally) with an additional VR experience as part of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius. Through the use of state-of-the-art technology, visitors are able to book in for VR Florence Flyover and soar like a bird above Renaissance-era Florence, peering down at the city’s notable landmarks. The VR technology allows you to embrace the exhilaration of flight – you’ll feel like you’re literally soaring through the sky like a bird as you navigate your way around Florence – just like Da Vinci always dreamed of. To complement the experience, 500 Years of Genius also utilises The Lume’s colossal exhibition space with projections of Da Vinci’s original drawings and writings – including his sketches for a flying machine that predates human flight by more than 400 years. There’s also a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree replica of the ‘Mona Lisa’ created by French optical engineer Pascal Cotte. (Who used pioneering research to scan the famous painting with his 240,000,000 pixel multispectral camera, so visitors can study her cryptic smile like never before.) This is the first time Da Vinci’s artwork has made its way to Aust