Sydney Festival
She shot dead her lover, a crime to be re-enacted 70 years later
The “wickedly charismatic” true crime retelling of the death of an underworld gangster in the Darlinghurst Law Courts is turning into a box office hit of the Sydney Festival.
- by Linda Morris
Latest
Murder, magic and a riot of colour: Sydney Festival 2025 unveiled
A flagship event will see the story of an infamous 1954 murder staged in the Sydney courthouse in which it was heard.
- by Nick Galvin
Exclusive
Arts
New Sydney Festival director wants us on the edge of our seats
Canadian-born Kris Nelson’s first festival will be in 2026, the 50th anniversary of the event.
- by Nick Galvin
From Tamworth to Washington: How Black Elvis’ grandson conquered the stage
The Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Hamilton returns to Sydney later this month, with refreshed cast.
- by Helen Pitt
Sydney Festival director poached by prestigious international competitor
Olivia Ansell, who has directed the past three Sydney Festivals, will present her final Sydney program in 2025 before taking up the new Canadian role the same year.
- by Nick Galvin
Sydney Festival did not rise to last year’s heights, but still a cut above many
Soaring sitar music, shining lighthouses and slippery slopes were a feature of this year’s summer cultural festival.
- by John Shand and Helen Pitt
Saplings, sticky slopes and African beats fill final weekend of Sydney Festival
As January rolls to a close, the Sydney Festival enters its final weekend of theatrical frivolity.
- by Helen Pitt
It’s good to be Bach: Musical prodigy returns to Australia for explosive Sydney Festival debut
After a high-flying international career where he defied multiple classical music conventions, prodigy Benjamin Skepper is set to bring high-octane Bach to Sydney.
- by Chantal Nguyen
★★★★
What’s on
This play tells you to trust nothing – including theatre
Our reviewers give their verdict on the latest offerings from Sydney Festival.
- by John Shand, Harriet Cunningham and James Jennings
Sydney Festival show honours the lost children of Luna Park at Coney Island
A deeply moving story about loss and childhood innocence opens Monday at Luna Park as part of the Sydney Festival 2024.
- by Helen Pitt
Courtney Barnett returns to her ‘forever hometown’ as part of Sydney Festival 2024
The third weekend of the Sydney Festival 2024 features Symphony Under the Stars as well as a host of other real-life stars.
- by Helen Pitt