Cirrus@Austlit

'When you visit the doctor or the hospital, have you any idea what's going on behind the surgery doors? You will after reading Dr G, MD - the rivalries, jealousies, stresses. And above all, if you're a woman doctor, the sexism.

'Dr G has known it all, and in these sharp, funny and vividly illustrated stories, she tells it like it is.' (Publication summary)

'What scientists do with genus and species, Ken Gelder and Rachael Weaver have done with 19th-century Australian fiction: isolating character types and exploring the genres in which they flourished. The squatter novel, the bushranger adventure, the larrikin tale, the Australian girl’s romance and, unexpectedly, at least for me, the colonial detective story.' (Introduction)

'Much-loved Australian novelist and playwright Barry Oakley is back at the MTC after 32 years, with the world premiere of Music. Richard Piper stars as Jack, whose terminal struggle with cancer inspires his loved ones to sort their lives out. Playing Jack's wife Margie is another darling of MTC, Jane Menelaus. 
Jack has been given three months to live. He surrenders to his battle with cancer the moment the clock starts to tick, clowning around and waiting the time out with music, morphine and whiskey. For his wife, estranged brother and an estranged old friend, however, time is fast running out. 
At the heart of Margie's urgency to be honest with her husband is the tragic death of their only son and the spiral of irresponsible behaviour that followed, by husband and wife. The guilt of their past actions arrives at full force as an emotionally overwrought Jack teeters on the edge and Margie weighs up the cost of saying mea culpa to a dying husband. 
Music is a bittersweet symphony to a dying man by those who he once laughed with and loved - and might love him still.' (Source : http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/theatre/events/1802/music)