In 2002, John Waters' brash and big-hearted musical comedy Hairspray was adapted for the Broadway stage. It won eight Tony Awards, including one for its director Jack O'Brien. Twenty years on, Jack is at the helm of a new revival here in Australia.

Also, award-winning playwright Christopher Chen shares his Top Shelf ahead of the Australian premiere of his play Caught and theatre-maker Elnaz Sheshgelani transforms Hamlet using the ancient Persian performance style Naghali.