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

A dark-haired man in a colonial American military uniform, complete with cavalry sabre at his side, faces towards the camera. A group of dancers in similar uniforms pose dramatically behind him.
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Musical review: Hamilton, Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

‘Hamilton’ has returned to Australia. It’s slick, spectacular and runs like clockwork – but remains dogged by some fundamental issues.

Peter Hackney

Aug 9, 2024
A dark-haired white woman wearing a grey jumper, a brown checked dress and white shoes stands onstage in what could be a bland office set. Three blue chairs are lined up against the rear wall, upon which is projected the face of an older man in a suit and toe. A dying pot plant stands in one corner of the room.
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Theatre review: Arlington, Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre

The first Australian production of Irish playwright Enda Walsh’s ‘Arlington’ is challenging, confounding and stunningly original.

Peter Hackney

Aug 9, 2024
Two panels: On left is a profile photo of a man with a brown hat, glasses and a white beard. On the right is a cover of his book with an illustration of an island in blue and green and the words 'Mark Heyward' and 'The Glass Islands' in white font.
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Book review: The Glass Islands, Mark Heyward

Spanning memoir, travelogue and historical non-fiction, The Glass Islands explores a life swapped from Tasmania to Lombok, Indonesia.  

Peter Hackney

Aug 7, 2024
Two women argue. The woman on the left has shoulder-length hair and wears a blue and white striped top. The angrier woman on the right has a scarf covering her hair. Behind her stands a man in a red and black flannel short who appears to be trying to calm her down.
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Theatre review: Sunset Strip, New Theatre

The New Theatre tackles a play by one of Australia’s hottest theatrical exports.

Peter Hackney

Jul 12, 2024
A single dancer is spotlit. She is all in white and covered in powder that falls off her as she poses.
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Dance reviews: Sixbythree, Riverside Theatres

A contemporary dance festival at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres saw three separate dance works presented over two days.

Peter Hackney

Jul 10, 2024
A group of people all dressed in black leotards are looking up, about to catch a single performer who is dressed in gold and is seen in mid-air. They are standing in front of gold drapery.
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Circus review: Duck Pond, Sydney Coliseum Theatre

Circa presented a modern take on Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ and Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’ in a collision of…

Peter Hackney

Jul 9, 2024
A woman with her hair in a bun is standing spotlit in centre of stage. She is wearing silver blouse and black pants and carrying a bouquet of roses. Petals are strewn below her. A band can be seen playing around her, in semi darkness.
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Theatre review: Master Class, Ensemble Theatre

Terrence McNally’s play about opera legend Maria Callas gives us a masterclass in stagecraft.

Peter Hackney

Jun 26, 2024
A man with a salt and pepper beard is standing to one side and looking into the distance. He is wearing a white tunic and a crown made of flowers and leaves.
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Theatre review: King Lear, Neilson Nutshell, Pier 2/3

Bell Shakespeare takes a minimalist approach to 'King Lear' in its first production of the play since 2010 – with…

Peter Hackney

Jun 24, 2024
Ten figures are sitting cross-legged in formation with their hands raised above their heads. They are wearing light, floaty trousers. The men are bare-chested. The women are wearing brown-coloured bras.
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Dance review: Horizon, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s darkly beautiful new production draws upon the ancient roots of both Australian and New Zealand First Nations…

Peter Hackney

Jun 19, 2024
Death in the Pantheon. On a dark stage two actors are bathed in green light. One can only be seen from the neck down and is holding an ornate drinking contraption, with a red glass case, the other is bending below it to drink.
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Theatre review: Death in the Pantheon, Flight Path Theatre

The latest production from Sydney’s Upper Crass Theatre Company is somewhat flawed – but not without its charms. 

Peter Hackney

Jun 18, 2024
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