
My throat hurts, my cheeks are aching and my sides are knotted in a permanent stitch, but I can’t complain. Laughter-related injuries are part of the territory when you get the chance to see Bill Bailey live.

The four melodramas of The Wicked Voice slash at the skin to bleed open wounds for all to see pain and rawness - this is affective theatre.

This is a thoughtful play for a thoughtful audience, so if you’re in the mood for a bit of light entertainment you may leave the performance slightly drained.

Canberra writer Bruce Hoogendoorn’s tale of sport, scandal and ‘media answers’ is a winner, however it does take a little while to warm up.

The great thing about Puccini’s opera is that it delivers its love and tragedy with plenty of humour, beautifully drawn characters and music that’s well worth the price of admission.

Grab the kids, or anyone who’s free for that matter, and get along to see The Arrival. It could be the highlight of your week.

If only The Bleeding Heart were a permanent venue. A subterranean political satire bar would surely be welcome in Canberra – a city where politicians could provide it with no end of material.