John Shand
John Shand has written about music and theatre since 1981 in more than 30 publications, including for Fairfax Media since 1993. He is also a playwright, author, poet, librettist, drummer and winner of the 2017 Walkley Arts Journalism Award
Lifting the veil on the mundane life of the royal family
Melanie Tait has unearthed a fascinating story about the British royals.
- by John Shand, Cassie Tongue and Peter McCallum
Latest
Megamix of murder and mayhem doesn’t quite kill it
Our reviewers give their verdict on the latest shows round town.
- by John Shand, Joyce Morgan, Shamim Razavi and Frances Howe
★★★
Review
Great acting. Shame about the play ...
Our reviewers cast a critical eye over the latest shows around town.
- by John Shand, Chantal Nguyen, Bernard Zuel, Peter McCallum and Frances Howe
★★★★
Sydney live reviews
These sisters can act - and sing and dance as well
Our critics deliver their verdicts on the latest shows around town.
- by John Shand, Michael Bailey, Peter McCallum and Joyce Morgan
The ghosts haunting Nick Cave’s biblical new album
On their 18th album together, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds go searching for the light.
- by John Shand, Robert Moran and Barry Divola
★★★½
Sydney live reviews
It’s not easy following up when you’re a superstar at 19 – just ask Khalid
Our reviewers take a look at the latest shows around town.
- by John Shand, Harriet Cunningham, Peter McCallum, James Jennings, Chantal Nguyen and Frances Howe
John Waters might be seeing ghosts but he still doesn’t believe in them
The veteran of stage and screen is starring in a fresh adaptation of the long-running play The Woman In Black.
- by John Shand
★★★½
Sydney live reviews
Love Hamilton? Then you should see this as well
Our critics take a look at the biggest shows around town.
- by James Jennings, Frances Howe and John Shand
★★★★★
Sydney live reviews
Eloquent and beguiling: Operatic Hamlet is a triumph
Our critics deliver verdicts on the latest shows around town.
- by Millie Muroi, Cassie Tongue, Shamim Razavi, Harriet Cunningham and John Shand
Just In
What’s on
Why a playwright who updates the classics thinks it’s mostly unnecessary
Adapting Uncle Vanya, Joanna Murray-Smith was desperate to stay true to the playwright’s intentions.
- by John Shand
A wildly entertaining play to get you excited about Australian theatre again
Our critics deliver their verdict on the latest shows around town.
- by John Shand, Michael Ruffles and Shamim Razavi