Peter Hackney

Peter Hackney is an Australian-Montenegrin writer and editor who lives on Dharug and Gundungurra land in Western Sydney - home to one of Australia’s most diverse and dynamic arts scenes. He has a penchant for Australian theatre but is a lover of the arts in all its forms. A keen ‘Indonesianist’, Peter is a frequent traveller to our northern neighbour and an advanced student of Bahasa Indonesia. Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/peterhackney https://x.com/phackneywriter

Peter Hackney's Latest Articles

An elderly woman (Nancye Hayes) is standing in a living room filled with books. She's wearing a white dress. A 20 something man is seated on a couch (Shiv Palekar)
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Theatre review: 4000 Miles, Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company

This staging of Amy Herzog’s play is elevated by the formidable acting talents and experience of the great Nancye Hayes. 

Two men. One has his hand on the chest of another, who is wearing a white t-shirt and black leather jacket. There is white make up on his face with a red streak over his eyes.
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Theatre review: The Flea, New Theatre, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 

In its annual contribution to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, New Theatre explores the consequences of sexual repression…

A man in black is holding onto a blonde woman dressed in white. She is lying on the ground. To the left is another man looking on.
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Theatre review: Wuthering Heights, Roslyn Packer Theatre

Acclaimed British director Emma Rice brings a divisive adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ to Sydney.

A middle aged woman with short slicked back grey hair and round black framed glasses wearing a white shirt and black pants is sitting wither legs crossed and holding a champagne flute. She has a serious expression on her face and is looking slightly off camera. Tracy Mann. Aria by David Williamson.
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Theatre review: Aria, Ensemble Theatre

Putting the kibosh (again) on his ‘retirement’, renowned Australian playwright David Williamson delivers a timely and compelling study of narcissism.

Interior cutout of a two-storey house in a production of 'The Barber of Seville'. There are people crowded in each room.
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Opera review: The Barber of Seville, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Fast-paced and hilarious, Opera Australia’s 'The Barber of Seville' will please opera buffs and newcomers alike. 

Miss Ellaneous wearing drag as Tina Turner. They are on the middle of the stage wearing a short sparkly dress.
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Performance review: Tina – A Tropical Love Story, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival

Breaking the well-worn mould of the tribute show, this dazzling production excels in its capacity to generate joy.

Rarmian Newton as Frodo Baggins and Laurence Boxhall as Gollum in 'Lord of The Rings - A Musical Tale'. Newton is dressed in a white shirt, red vest and brown knickerbockers. Boxhall is crouching and topless, wearing raggedy white pants. He is covered in white make-up with blood stains.
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Musical review: Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, State Theatre Sydney

It’s not seamless but most will enjoy this spirited take on Tolkien’s epic tale.

An Asian man, WIlliam Yang, at a coast setting. He has his arms spread out wide. There is a small white dog next to him.
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Performance review: William Yang: Milestone, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney Festival

The life and times of famed Sydney photographer William Yang are explored in this autobiographical show. 

Two panels. On the left is photo of Amanda Laugesen, who has blonde hair and is wearing a pink scarf over a violet top. On the right is the cover of her book 'Australia in 100 words', which features a black and white image of a man boxing with a kangaroo.
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Book review: Australia in 100 Words, Amanda Laugesen

The chief editor of the Australian National Dictionary explores the world of Australian English – and, in doing so, our…

Five women in the cast of 'The Heartbreak Choir' singing.
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Theatre review: The Heartbreak Choir, Ensemble Theatre

Themes of community, forgiveness and understanding lie at the heart of this crowd-pleaser, which rounds out Ensemble’s 2024 season.  

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