The Stage Show

In court or in parliament, Malcolm Turnbull carried an air of showmanship. His memoir, A Bigger Picture, reveals that he actually comes from a long line of theatre people: a writer and performer mother, a vaudevillian grandfather and a Tony and Oscar-winning cousin.

Also, we remember playwright and director Aidan Fennessy with his friend and collaborator Matt Cameron and find out how to write a showstopper with Mathew Frank, composer of a new musical adaptation of My Brilliant Career.

In court or in parliament, Malcolm Turnbull carried an air of showmanship. His memoir, A Bigger Picture, reveals that he actually comes from a long line of theatre people: a writer and performer mother, a vaudevillian grandfather and a Tony and Oscar-winning cousin.

Also, we remember playwright and director Aidan Fennessy with his friend and collaborator Matt Cameron and find out how to write a showstopper with Mathew Frank, composer of a new musical adaptation of My Brilliant Career.

Youth arts organisations foster the talents of Australia's brightest performers and creatives, but how inclusive are they? Tariro Mavondo is a performer and poet who recently became co-artistic director of Western Edge Youth Arts with a bold vision for change.

Also, Kate Hood shares the Best Advice she was ever given as an able-bodied actor and as a wheelchair user and Dr Erin Brannigan from UNSW guides us through some basics of how to watch and appreciate contemporary dance.

Youth arts organisations foster the talents of Australia's brightest performers and creatives, but how inclusive are they? Tariro Mavondo is a performer and poet who recently became co-artistic director of Western Edge Youth Arts with a bold vision for change.

Also, Kate Hood shares the Best Advice she was ever given as an able-bodied actor and as a wheelchair user and Dr Erin Brannigan from UNSW guides us through some basics of how to watch and appreciate contemporary dance.

Sir Jonathan Bate has spent much of his life living with William Shakespeare — he's dedicated his career to better understanding the work of the Bard. Now the British academic is asking how Shakespeare's work might help us to save the planet.

Also, we hear an extract from Elena Kats-Chernin's new work for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' 100th birthday and find out how Brisbane-based company The Good Room craft crowdsourced submissions into complex and emotional theatre.

Sir Jonathan Bate has spent much of his life living with William Shakespeare — he's dedicated his career to better understanding the work of the Bard. Now the British academic is asking how Shakespeare's work might help us to save the planet.

Also, we hear an extract from Elena Kats-Chernin's new work for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' 100th birthday and find out how Brisbane-based company The Good Room craft crowdsourced submissions into complex and emotional theatre.

Van Badham is a courageous and funny Australian playwright who, since searching for the humanity of trolls in Banging Denmark at the Sydney Theatre Company, has now adapted George Orwell's Animal Farm for Black Swan in Perth.

Also, we speak with Palawa writer Dylan Van Den Berg about the limitations — and surprising benefits — of developing his play Milk on Zoom with the Street Theatre in Canberra.

Van Badham is a courageous and funny Australian playwright who, since searching for the humanity of trolls in Banging Denmark at the Sydney Theatre Company, has now adapted George Orwell's Animal Farm for Black Swan in Perth.

Also, we speak with Palawa writer Dylan Van Den Berg about the limitations — and surprising benefits — of developing his play Milk on Zoom with the Street Theatre in Canberra.

Ben Brantley, the New York Times' chief theatre critic since 1996, reflects on his lifelong love of theatre, Broadway's unprecedented shutdown, and the perception that a Times review can make or break a show.

Also, cabaret icon Ali McGregor hosts an online variety show where you call the shots and we meet a woman intimately familiar with Belvoir St Theatre's history and design: her father drew the blueprints!

Ben Brantley, the New York Times' chief theatre critic since 1996, reflects on his lifelong love of theatre, Broadway's unprecedented shutdown, and the perception that a Times review can make or break a show.

Also, cabaret icon Ali McGregor hosts an online variety show where you call the shots and we meet a woman intimately familiar with Belvoir St Theatre's history and design: her father drew the blueprints!