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 young blonde woman in denim jacket (Ashleigh Hermann) is staring across a table at an older man (Daniel Mitchell) in 'Blackbird.'
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Theatre review: Blackbird, Wentworth Falls School of Arts

Exploring the devastating power of trauma and guilt, director Paulina Kelly’s production of ‘Blackbird’ was uncomfortable, shocking – and brilliant. 

Peter Hackney

Sep 5, 2024
Two woman are enshrouded in darkness. The one on the left, who has short dark hair, is holding a lamp. The other one has long white hair. The Turn of the Screw by Hayes Theatre.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Opera review: The Turn of the Screw, Hayes Theatre

Director Craig Baldwin and the Hayes Theatre Co breathe new life into a Benjamin Britten classic.

Peter Hackney

Sep 4, 2024
A young man in a brown suit and tie is sitting in the foreground. In the background is an older man looking at him. Between them there is a noose hanging.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Theatre review: Hangmen, New Theatre

The first Australian production of Martin McDonagh’s 2015 play sees high drama and black comedy come together in a gripping…

Peter Hackney

Aug 21, 2024
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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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
1 2 3
User Icon
Forgot password?
User Icon
Back to Login