Classical repertoire dominates Australian ballet seasons, but in the mid-20th century, new work was a key priority for Australian ballet companies. What has become of these works? Our Top 5 Arts resident Yvette Grant introduces us to the prolific choreographer Laurel Martyn (1916-2013) and we learn about Yvette's own mission to resurrect forgotten Australian ballets.

Also, to mark Barbra Streisand's 80th birthday, some of our favourite musical theatre performers are joined by symphony orchestras around the country for a celebration of Barbra's most memorable songs and we look at how Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker — now 130 years old — came to become a fixture of the Christmas calendar after having little impact in its native Russia.