Welcome to the combined January-February issue of Limelight, where we pack two months of good reading into one expanded magazine – your perfect summer arts companion.

Limelight turns 50 in 2026 and we begin our half-centenary celebrations with the biggest issue we have published since launching our redesign in October 2020. Our January/February magazine is always a bumper holiday read. This year, we have added even more pages – a bumper-bumper issue!

As we step into a new year, Limelight’s expert writers – Jansson J. Antmann, Paul Ballam-Cross, Steve Dow, Yvonne Frindle, Deborah Jones and Jo Litson – survey the year ahead – the themes, challenges and the likely artistic high points. Encompassing Australia’s major festivals, orchestral and chamber programs, and theatre and opera seasons, this is also your guide to the must-see and must-hear events that will shape 2026.

As always, January’s Sydney Festival fires the opening salvo for the arts. In this issue, French writer-director Caroline Guiela Nguyen speaks to Steve Dow about the making of one of the Festival’s keystone events, Lacrima, and about her intricate, interwoven approach to storytelling. Also in the...