John Shand Posts

March 6, 2024 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Hayes Theatre, February 28 7/10 Paul Anka bought the rights to the song that became My Way for $1, rewriting the lyrics for Frank Sinatra, whose signature it became. What a shame Anka was unaware of the person for whom the words were perfect: Carlotta. From starring in Kings Cross’…

February 25, 2024 / Features - Archive

The name was a statement of intent. Eighteen years ago four young Brooklynites named their string quartet Brooklyn Rider, nodding to the eclecticism of Wassily Kandinsky’s pre-World War I Blue Rider artistic movement. Since then they’ve not only given exceptional performances from the 300-year-old quartet repertoire, but they’ve commissioned many…

February 23, 2024 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, February 13 8/10 Fran Lebowitz is a blocked writer who earns a living from talking. Writers’ festivals have made the talking writer a routine phenomenon, but generally you’d be better spending that time reading their books. Lebowitz is different. Her decades-long writer’s block has made…