Kaleidoscope Recs: two bits of theatre in Sydney to spend your dough on in October
Our theatre friend Vaanie (Aisle Notes with Vaanie K) has started a series recommending two shows a month. In the spirit of Vaanie, and of reviving Kscope in 2025, we’re following suit. Here are two of Charlotte’s picks for October - one you can safely spend big on, and one you can take a chance on for a bit less. (Picture: Calamity Jane)
Calamity Jane
Virginia Gay, Australia’s tall bisexual darling, makes her return as the legendary frontierswoman in this larger than life adaptation of the classic musical. I didn’t get my chance to see this at Belvoir a few years ago, and if Gay’s previous works (see: Cyrano and The Boomkak Panto) are anything to go by, this will be a heartwarming, knee-slapping hoot. Directed by Richard Carroll, and co-produced by the Hayes Theatre Co, this isn’t your ordinary straight-up-and-down-musical. It’s much, much more fun. And Gay, of course.
Calamity Jane plays at the Opera House from 14 October - 16 November 2025. Tickets are between $69.90 and $144.90.
Everything I Know About This Water Bottle
Essential Workers (the producing company spearheaded by the wonderful Zoe Hollyoak and responsible for many of my favourite recent bits of theatre) have their latest instalment at the Old Fitz. A one woman show led by Ari Sgouros, Everything I Know About This Water Bottle is an exploration of climate change, rabbit holes, and “the blunt edge of technology”. Directed by Violette Ayad (who recently performed in Scenes from the Climate Era), this one is set to be a bit funny, a bit concerning and well worth the price of admission ($22 + booking fee for previews and $27.50 + bf in season). Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of theatre underneath a pub?
Picture: Ariadne Sgouros in Never Closer, also holding a whiskey bottle
Everything I Know About This Water Bottle plays at the Old Fitz from 7 October - 17 October.
Charlotte is the editor of Kaleidoscope Arts Journal, a little enby and a big mess. Their friends regularly worry that they might overdose on theatre.
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