Anywhere Reviews
Read reviews from Anywhere Reviewers as well as links to other online publications giving you the heads up on what to see at Anywhere Festival.
Every year Anywhere Festival invites writers and performance lovers to write reviews of performances at the festival.We ask people to bring their own perspective and to tell us what we think - we're know you don't want to hear that everything is brilliant... unless of course it is.
Reviews start with the most recent and you can go back through Anywhere Festival reviews of our Brisbane festival, Sunshine Coast Festival, Noosa Festival, Moreton Bay festival and everything else.
Review by Katrina Couzens of What the Perimenopause! presented by Delilah Rose and the All Stars
What an incredible finale to my Anywhere experience! What the Perimenopause! is full of energy, heart, glamour, and raw emotion. I laughed hard, I clapped hard, and I left with…
Review (Creative Futures): The Agent
The Agent had a successful world premiere at the 2026 Anywhere Festival. A fun demonstration of the talents of a local writer, director and cast, The Agent is a light-hearted mixture of physics, philosophy, property, and poo.
Review by Katrina Couzens of Saturday Supper Club presented by Tin Star and Clare Cowley
Set in Anna and John’s old West End Queenslander, catered by their professional chef son Jasper, the Saturday Supper Club had the vibe of a parlour party. Casual, comfy, warming,…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Busking in Glory presented by Merilee Ettia
If I only had one word to describe Merilee, it would be intensity. If I had two, I’d add drive. Fortunately, I have upwards of 200. Part homage, part rant,…
Review by Katrina Couzens of TWENTEE presented by Scrapped Collective
TWENTEE has the perfect premise for a psychological thriller: a young Tee, feeling isolated and lonely as she transitions from the structure of high school to the chaos of young…
Review (Creative Futures): Electric Universe
The world premiere of Electric Universe, the latest new contemporary dance work by Solstice Dance Collective (SDC), received a rapturous response from audiences at the 2026 Anywhere Festival. Geoff Lawrence describes Electric Universe as ‘an unforgettable show that is an exhilarating and highly professional piece of contemporary dance. And one that I am delighted to highly recommend.’
Review (Creative Futures): Basement Baroque
Cellist Evalyn Legried has developed a winning format—programming well-known and less familiar pieces of Baroque music, and collaborating with established and emerging musicians, to attract audiences to enjoy intricate melodies, dramatic contrasts, and elaborate ornamentation of the baroque period.
Review (Creative Futures): The Bucket List
The Screech Arts’ cast and creatives have transformed the bucket list idea into a memorable show that shares the personal bucket list priorities of each of the members of the cast, and features… buckets.
Review (Creative Futures): The Ladysinger’s Record Parlour Vol. 3
In the best traditions of the excellent Anywhere Festival format, The Ladysinger’s Record Parlour takes place in… well… the front parlour of a very famous lady singer. Catherine Lawrence is delighted to report that the Vol 3 selection is a special and eclectic mix of music.
Review (Creative Futures): The Heartbreak Club
Catherine Lawrence suggests that the Thundering Productions’ new work, The Heartbreak Club, makes for a fun evening out for a group of friends or Book Group members—describing the show as ‘a play that is light on the serious homicidal ideas, and heavy on the gentle comedy and healing.’
Review (Creative Futures): Exocytosis
The talented Solstice Dance Collective team has had another successful Anywhere Festival run, bringing two innovative new contemporary dance works to the Paint Factory Festival Hub stage. Catherine Lawrence is…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Self-Care Cafe presented by Lynda McCauley
With my low tolerance for bullshit, vaguely antisocial tendencies, general dislike of wellness culture, and strong belief that a show at the Anywhere Festival should be… well… a show, I…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Basement Baroque presented by Evalyn Legried
The bowels of an old industrial building, at the bottom of yellow-painted steps, on a dusty concrete floor, is hardly the place you expect to see award-winning, internationally acclaimed classical…
Review by Katrina Couzens of The Heartbreak Club presented by Thundering Productions
I love a good revenge story. I also love stories about female friendship. The Heartbreak Club is both, with a darkly delightful premise and mood somewhat reminiscent of Heathers. It…
Review (Creative Futures) All Smoke, No Script
All Smoke, No Script is a long-form improv noir comedy piece of theatre, presented, starring, and co-created by Ben Spalding and Andrew Oxford. They are a great team, bringing their complementary skills in improvised/devised theatre, sound design, and composition to the work. And a great idea to draw in the support of fellow creatives, Remi Thiesfield (stage manager) and Riley Montesin (lighting designer and programmer).
Review by Katrina Couzens of Life of a Tradie Wife presented by Isabella’s Aerial & Circus
First, I walked into an industrial warehouse. Then, I walked into a bedroom. Life of a Tradie Wife is wonderfully grounded, with cutting observational writing and perfect set design. Looking…
Review by The Scoop of The Agent by Zebra Men Creative
The Agent, a new comedy play by Meryn Cooper, is here to let audiences laugh their way out of it for a while.
Review (Creative Futures): Mythical Creatures
Catherine Lawrence reviews Rachel Riggall’s memorable ‘Mythical Creatures,’ describing this 2026 Anywhere Festival production as ‘a show, that combines aerial, fire, and acro to bring mythical beings to ‘life.’ ‘
Review by Katrina Couzens of Songs of Michael G. Jones
Sitting down to listen to Michael G. Jones (or, as my husband dubbed him, Johnny Cash in Aussie dollars) was like stumbling into someone’s campfire session at a music festival.…
Review (Creative Futures): Shakespeare Dying on the Stage
Sometimes a show isn’t quite what you expected—which can have both pros and cons. The world premiere run of Shakespeare Dying on the Stage is a great concept. Observing that Shakespeare’s plays include many onstage deaths, Dean Moulds (Playwright/Actor) decided to write a play that would ‘attempt to stage every death in Shakespeare in under an hour.’
Review (Creative Futures): Half Hour Hamlet
Catherine Lawrence absolutely loves the 2026 Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay Half Hour Hamlet, describing one of the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble’s ‘Shakespeare Shorts’ as ‘a show that absolutely delivers on its promise—and more.
Review by Mark Sherry of “The Middle Room” Presented by Grace Spinks
‘The Middle Room’ is a brilliant new musical by Grace Spinks, who wrote the book, lyrics and music. Spinks is a Conservatorium-trained composer and multi-instrumentalist. Some of her songs have…
Review – Murder at the Bowlo
The perfect Crime and a meat tray? Murder at the Bowlo is exactly the kind of night out you don’t realise you’ve been craving until you’re in the thick of…
The Amazing Bubble Show
The Amazing Bubble Show is pure, wholesome magic — the kind of experience that lights up actual children and the inner child you forgot you still had. It’s wonderfully entertaining…
Review by Katrina Couzens of I don’t want to; Why should I? presented by Indy Clark and Ben Marshall
Indy’s music is the self-described product of a mid-life crisis—an attempt at something new, and an expression of both frustration and nostalgia. The music itself didn’t grab me, sitting within…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Master of Delusions presented by Aaron Ducker
Aaron Ducker’s awkward and cynical persona is more reminiscent of a stand-up comedian than the slick, smooth magician that would normally command such a grand title as the Master of…
Photo Gallery – Ruth Apelt’s Homage to Janis Ian, at the Reload Espresso Bar, Salisbury
If reproducing, please credit @photosbypeteryoung. Thanks! Peter Young A music photographer enthusiast. I photograph bands I love, and share photos with them to support them in their journey. See Full…
Review by Mark Sherry of “Good Bad Cop” Presented by LaunchPad
“Good Bad Cop,” written by Matthew Wethling and Rachel MJ, premiered to raucous laughter and wild applause. It is unlike any theatre you’ve ever seen… deliberately so, because it is…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Good Bad Cop presented by LaunchPad
If you’re a sufferer of worry dreams, the plight of John Doe, thrown into an absurdist nightmare when his interview to join the police force gets hijacked, might feel familiar.…
Review: Oedipus // End of Line
Armed with a skimmed Wikipedia article and an impromptu PowerPoint presentation from a drama teacher friend, I can’t say I entered Oedipus // End of Line with a font of…
Review (Creative Futures): The Amazing Bubble Show
Catherine Lawrence had fun at the 2026 Amazing Bubble Show, ‘which is exactly what the title suggests—a simple, kid-friendly 45-minute event that shares Glen’s love of bubbles, and showcases his skill at producing ever-increasing numbers and types of bubble. You may not be dazzled, but it’s always great to find something that sparks joy, wonder and delight for kids of all ages. After all, as Glen says, ‘who doesn’t like bubbles?’
Review (Creative Futures): The Elemental Being
Catherine Lawrence congratulates the families, teachers and students on the new Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay dance, circus and movement showcase, The Elemental Being…
Review (Creative Futures): Punk Rock Potter
Catherine Lawrence enjoyed Punk Rock Potter, commenting that ‘in the style of the best children’s theatre, Punk Rock Potter has a script that is written for children but also has plenty to make their parents and accompanying adults laugh out loud.’ Tickets for the two 2026 Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay Role Initiative Theatre Company shows may still be available …
Review (Creative Futures): The Story of the Life of Charlie Chaplin
Describing Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin as timeless, charming story-telling, Catherine highlights the importance of booking Anywhere Festival shows early, as ‘it is unsurprising that Marcel Cole has created another festival gem that sells out very quickly.’
To read more about this entertaining Anywhere Festival Brisbane show, turn to the full Creative Futures Photography review…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Call Me Grandma (and I will run for the hills) presented by Joanne Tindale
It’s no secret that women disappear from the silver screen as they age. But do you know what age counts as “old” for women in Hollywood? Do you know the…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Murder at the Bowlo presented by Improv Queensland
Murder at the Bowlo delivers exactly what it says on the tin. There is a murder. It happens at a bowls club. You interact with a quirky cast of the…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar
The theme was madness, the vibe macabre in the cavernous Food Connect Shed in Salisbury. Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar brought a sinister mix of folk, shanty, and the Victorian-era music hall,…
Review by Katrina Couzens of FLOW presented by Angel Strings
There’s not a lot of opportunity to hear honest to goodness chamber music in Brisbane outside of the large theatres like QPAC or high school music ensembles. FLOW, presented by…
Review (Creative Futures): How to Seduce Your Dragon
Catherine Lawrence is full of praise for ‘How to Seduce Your Dragon.’ To read more about this entertaining Anywhere Festival Brisbane show, turn to the full Creative Futures Photography review…
Review by Katrina Couzens of Wine Mum Anthems presented by Kate Schirmer & Jen Teh
I started my Anywhere Festival this year with a matinee showing of Wine Mum Anthems, by local musicians and longtime friends Kate Schirmer & Jen Teh (with another longtime friend…
Review by Katrina Couzens of How to Seduce Your Dragon by Improv Queensland
Review by Katrina Couzens of How to Seduce Your Dragon by Improv Queensland
Review by Mark Sherry of “Phoebe, She Wrote” Presented by Phoebe Maher
Imagine a party where all the funniest people you’ve met got together and you laughed so much that you knew you’d remember it forever. That is what the opening night…
Review (Scenestr): The Tragic Tale Of Dr Faustus
Review of The Tragic Tale of Dr Faustus by Clea-marie Thorne for Scenestr
Review (Blue Curtains Brisbane): The Tragic Tale of Dr Faustus
An attempt at poetic introduction seems appropriate for a work such as Sepulchre Serenade’s The Tragic Tale of Dr Faustus, which is so richly layered in mullti artistry.
Review (Blue Curtains Brisbane): Theatre for Dummies: A Post-Apunkalyptic Play
Review by Meredith Walker Art is a language, we are told in the initial scene of Theatre for Dummies: A Post-Apunkalyptic Play, as part of a pacey monologue from its…
Review (Catherine Lawrence): The Ladysinger’s Record Parlour (Vol. 2)
The Ladysinger’s Record Parlour (Vol. 2) features a talented, highly-professional and collaborative team—and I am sure that everyone attending each of the four shows will have had a wonderful experience.
Review (Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane): She Works Hard For (No) Money | Backyard Flamingo
Review (Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane): She Works Hard For (No) Money | Backyard Flamingo
Review (Stage Door Podcast): She Works Hard For (No) Money
Bridie Middleton She Works Hard for (No) Money is a satirical collection of scenes that calls out the work behind the work, the kind of labour that people are never…
Review (Catherine Lawrence): Clutter
Catherine Lawrence’s latest review recommends another Anywhere Festival Brisbane gem… “My latest hot tip for the 2025 Anywhere Festival is to make a beeline for the Raven Hotel to see…
Review (Georgia Haupt): Smoke and Mirrors
Review and photography by Georgia Haupt Step into The Fox’s Tail strip club, but leave your expectations at the door. Smoke and Mirrors subverts audience assumptions from the opening moments,…
Review (Catherine Lawrence): Sacred Sonic
“Angel Strings is a talented strong quartet of professionally trained musicians with national and international experience (Laura Thompson, Hayden Burton, Katie Sillar and Kathryn McKee).The quartet’s repertoire extends across classical, jazz,…
Review (Georgia Haupt): The Bear Truth
Review and photography by Georgia Haupt Me n U Theatre Company transforms the viral “man or bear” question into a powerful piece of Australian theatre that refuses to let audiences…
Review (Catherine Lawrence): Primitives (staged reading)
Primitives is definitely more a preview than mere staged reading. Expect surreal moments, some dark humour, entrails… and a final twist that will give you plenty to talk about over a post-show beverage
