Cirrus@Austlit

'When Australian playwright Kendall Feaver started researching her first full-length play, she stumbled across a genre of literature she had never heard of, which she describes as "self help for parents — how to actively work out if your child has a mental illness".' (Introduction)

'A pioneering promoter who cut his teeth on rock 'n' roll before revolutionising musical theatre with Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, Harry M Miller has been celebrated as the impresario who wrote the rule book on Australian live entertainment.'  (Introduction)

'An exclusive support group for people affected by shark attacks has inspired a television crime thriller.'

'Leading arts identity Scott Rankin is pushing for a greater focus on developing creative skills and thinking in classrooms around the country.'

'The posthumously released album of acclaimed artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu swept the 2018 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), picking up three more awards for the late renowned musician.'  (Introduction)

'Members of the Indigenous community in the New South Wales and Victoria border towns of Albury and Wodonga have condemned a local theatre company's plans to stage a play by satirist Jonathan Biggins, best known for The Wharf Revue by the Sydney Theatre Company.'  (Introduction)

'If politics has indeed become so absurd it's putting satirists out of business, then spare a thought for Richard Roxburgh.'  (Introduction)

'Some of Australia's most prestigious arts companies — Bangarra, Australian Theatre for Young People and Australian Chamber Orchestra — have cancelled tours to regional New South Wales, after the state's arts funding agency delivered the lowest funding round in its history.'  (Introduction)

'Australia's most prestigious literary prize, worth $60,000, has been awarded this year to Michelle de Kretser for her novel The Life to Come.'

'If you were planning a big night out in the 1920s, there's a good chance you'd head off to a show.' 

'Acclaimed Adelaide transgender performer Vonni says Australia has come a long way in acceptance, but bigotry and hatred still remains.'  (Introduction)

'Her beloved characters explore mysterious worlds and solve challenging riddles — and it turns out Australian children's author Emily Rodda is something of a riddle herself.'  (Introduction)

'One of Australia's greatest painters of the human condition, Charles Blackman, has died in Sydney surrounded by family a week after celebrating his 90th birthday.'  (Introduction)

'It's taken three years and more than 60 interviews with people whose lives have been affected by the drug ice to bring the play In the Pines to the stage.'

'Melbourne artist Mirka Mora, praised as a driving force in Victoria's arts scene, has died at the age of 90.'

'A few weeks ago, accusations that Australian theatre is hijacking Indigenous stories and "whitesplaining" them for the audience rippled through the industry.' 

'One of Australia's most prolific writers, Peter Corris, has died in his sleep at the age of 76.'