December 2023

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December 2023 cover of Limelight

Features

Nellie Small? Putting a forgotten Sydney icon back in the spotlight.

by Elissa Blake

Our critics and readers have voted. So who takes this year’s honours?

by Lisa MacKinney, Deborah Jones and Clinton White

Richard Mills discusses his new opera about Galileo – a story for our times.

by Clive Paget

Stephen Page finds his feet with his first commission since leaving Bangarra.

by Jane Albert

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Soundings

Interview

Lucy Maunder has long dreamed of playing would-be vaudevillian Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. She tells us how she swung into action to land the role.

by Deborah Jones

Recordings

In a nail-bitingly close contest, an independent label carries off the top prize.

by Clive Paget

On The Record

Bartók is the starter this month with Mahler, Rachmaninov, Bruckner and Respighi the main course. From Offenbach, the perfect soufflé to finish.

by Clive Paget

Cutting Edge

Yuwaalaraay composer and storyteller Nardi Simpson reflects on her recent tour of Europe with Ensemble Offspring.

by Nardi Simpson

Theatre

Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould enter the world of amateur theatre in their new play Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall.

by Jo Litson

Books

★★★★ One of British music’s most enduring bromances goes under the microscope.

by Clive Paget

Film

★★★★ Expertly crafted and featuring an excellent cast, this modest project still packs a punch.

by Jason Blake

In the Limelight

A round-up of our recent news reports.

The latest arts appointments and departures.

The buzz around live performance.

Radio and streaming concert highlights.

Coda

Guy Noble's Soapbox

A lacklustre rendition of the national anthem
leaves Guy Noble pondering our unwillingness
to sing this country’s praises.

Playing Up

A former QSO member and for 20 years a teacher, Ysolt Clark is now in the pit for OA’s Ring Cycle, playing the instrument Wagner invented.

World Premiere

Inspired by her favourite childhood video game, Holly Harrison explains how extreme sports and classical music become one in her latest work for Omega Ensemble.

5 Questions For

Hailed by Limelight as “a Wagnerian soprano to be reckoned with” in 2016, the Melbourne singer talks about preparing for her second Ring Cycle with Opera Australia.

My Music

With a cabaret season about to open at the Sydney Festival, the joint Artistic Director of Hayes Theatre Co relives her journey from electronic organ to musical saw.

Playlists

Staff and Contributors

Print Editor
Jo Litson

Digital Editor
Jason Blake

Designer
Tristan Main

Editor-­at-­Large
Clive Paget

Staff Writer
Maddy Briggs

Contributors
Jane Albert, Jansson J. Antmann, Peter Berner, Elissa Blake, Ysolt Clark, Peter Donnelly, Victoria Falconer, Deborah Jones, Lisa MacKinney, Guy Noble, Vincent Plush, Nardi Simpson, Clinton White

Publisher

Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd

Chief Executive Officer / Managing Editor
Cara Anderson

Subscriptions & Operations Manager
William Jeffery

Sales Manager
Carla Bird

For advertising enquiries contact (02) 8599 4205 or advertising@limelight-­arts.com.au

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Printing
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