Gems is a true Brisbane Festival gem, and it was a privilege to experience this artistic event. It is wonderful to see talented dancers, where the creative collaboration that brings world-class choreographers, visual designers, musicians, dancers, and composers creates a special opportunity for our local community.

Through the medium of contemporary dance—strongly supported by cultural dance forms—these three multi-talented Blak females unpacked themes that authentically conveyed their deep connection to Country. Their multidisciplinary approach also unpacked the dehumanising colonisation of First Nations people, the generational trauma of their forced removal, the unjust banishment of speaking their language, the sorrowful devastation of Country brought about through greed, and finally the desecration of Country in order to appease rapidly growing infrastructure—and simple, tangible elements were cleverly used to convey this profound message.

What do Jessica Rabbit, a praying mantis with udders, and a lap dancing Gandalf the Grey have in common? All three were featured in heat 5 of Altimate Showdown at The Brightside, and after attending this show, it’s easy to see why this yearly competition is becoming one of the most anticipated alternative events in the Brisbane arts scene.

It’s not always easy to balance sharp political and social commentary with genuinely entertaining theatre, but Emmanuelle Mattana’s Trophy Boys manages to do just this, delivering a show that’s just as laugh-out-loud funny as it is emotionally biting and politically urgent. Making its Brisbane debut at QPAC after a string of sell-out seasons and critical acclaim in Australia and the US, this queer black-comedy offers a gripping interrogation of the pervasive cultures of misogyny and toxic masculinity in private boys’ schools (and beyond).

Without spoiling too much, this standing-ovation production will make you LOL, cringe, and maybe even gasp at the frankness of its language and topics. The terrific cast brought chaos, vulnerability and teenage angst to the stage, making every scene hilarious, heartfelt, and impossible to look away from; I even found myself memorising some of the lines after watching. In the end, this production was an unforgettable reminder of just how brilliantly messy growing up can be.

When I first heard that PIP Theatre were doing an adaptation of Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist set in Bjelke-Petersen-era Brisbane, I was stoked. As a fan of the original play and someone who knows the history of Pig City, I was shocked that the idea hadn’t been scooped up sooner—it seemed like a perfect match. So, it is with a very heavy heart that I say I did not like PIP’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist very much at all.

With its realism, immersive staging, and light-hearted tone, this show delivered a bold, funny, engaging, and deeply thought-provoking experience.

The Visitors is a must-see show; a relevant, funny, moving and thought-provoking piece that is First Nations storytelling at its finest. The Visitors reminds us of the importance of understanding our own histories, and is a provocation to encourage discussions about how we live today, and how Australian communities deal with visitors, migrants and refugees.

In a world where toxic masculinity and domestic violence have ripped families apart and fractured family relationships, Dear Son amplifies a long overdue need for change. Change that should allow a Blak man the rite of a safe passage to talk openly and honestly about what’s really going on inside himself. But more urgently, to heal the painful damage of the past.