
All in all, The Empire Strips Back is a tremendously fun show that had a large, almost full house extremely energised and engaged.

In the wake of the success of open-air opera performances in Sydney Harbour, Opera Australia's energetic and imaginative artistic director Lyndon Terracini had the idea of putting on an opera on one of Australia’s glorious expanses of coastal sand.

An amazing mixed bunch of people had rocked up to the Art Gallery to welcome the former diva and front woman of Killing Heidi and The Verses – Ella Hooper.

Director Matthew Lutton has put his experience of directing opera to use, throwing out White’s elaborate stage directions and unleashing the drama by focussing on the archetypes of human nature, their dramatic confrontations, and the elemental forces of nature.

Neighbourhood Watch is a bittersweet triumph primarily because Miriam Margolyes fills the stage with a commanding, master-class performance.

Yellow Moon is a simple yet elegant piece, packing a message with a powerful punch, well worth experiencing.

Beyond is full to the brim of all of Circa’s trademark spectacle and quirk communicated through stunning visuals and circus choreography that will inspire, stir and warm your soul.