Events You Need to Know About This May

This month’s top events, plus a sneak peek at what’s on in June.

VIC

Musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Until 24 June | Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne

Melburnians have until late June to catch Esther Hannaford make the earth move in her role as Carole King before the Grammy Award-winning show heads to Brisbane.

Don Quichotte

3-12 May | Arts Centre Melbourne

World-renowned bass Ferruccio Furlanetto is set to turn heads as the eccentric knight-errant after a well-received season in Sydney. French composer Jules Massenet’s score will be conducted by his countryman Guillaume Tourniaire.

Angus & Julia Stone

19-20 May | Various venues, Melbourne

The Aussie brother-sister folk-indie duo is touring the country to play tracks from their new album Snow, which peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA charts.

The Wizard of Oz

12 May-15 July | Regent Theatre, Melbourne

Shine your ruby slippers. The Wizard of Oz stops in Melbourne, with a great cast led by Anthony Warlow.

Robert Hunter

Until 26 August | National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

This exhibition of Australian minimalist Robert Hunter’s work coincides with the 50th anniversary of his first solo show.

Next Month: State of Origin

6 June | Melbourne Cricket Ground

The MCG hosts the first game of the 2018 State of Origin series. Is this the year that NSW breaks Queensland’s winning streak to claim glory?

NSW

Vivid Sydney

25 May-16 June | Various venues, Sydney 

The annual festival returns to light up the city skyline, bringing with it music, performances, stalls and crowds aplenty. Head to the harbour and behold the illuminated Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art and, of course, Sydney Harbour Bridge.

An Evening with Hillary Rodham Clinton

11 May | ICC Sydney

The former US presidential candidate, senator and secretary of state will offer insights into her political career, following the success of her bestselling autobiography, What Happened.

Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015

2 May-14 October | Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

Featuring pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Burberry, Chanel and Gucci, this exhibition explores the colourful history of men’s fashion and visits Sydney direct from the world-famous Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The Merry Widow

Until 19 May | Sydney Opera House 

The Australian Ballet was the first to perform the ballet adaptation of Victor Léon and Leo Stein’s operetta back in 1975. Now, 43 years later, the company will take it to the stage once more.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

15 May-19 July | Capitol Theatre, Sydney

After a critically acclaimed season in Melbourne, Priscilla is making a pit stop in Sydney on its 10th anniversary tour around Australia, bringing 500 glittering costumes and a modest selection of headdresses (just 200) along for the ride.

Next Month: Wallabies vs Ireland

23 June | Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Our mighty Wallabies welcome the reigning Six Nations champions when Australia hosts Ireland for the first time since 2010. Other games are being played in Brisbane on 9 June and Melbourne on 16 June.

ACT

The National Picture

12 May-29 July | National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 

Artworks depicting key moments in Tasmania’s tumultuous history from 1828 to 1851 form part of this exhibition, which includes works by colonial artist Benjamin Duterrau. Also on show are pieces from 1920 to the present day that depict aspects of the island’s past.

Next Month: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

16 June | Canberra Theatre Centre 

After entertaining thousands in Melbourne, Australia’s largest comedy festival hits the road with a stellar line-up of larrikins, including Andy Saunders, Bev Killick and Daniel Fernandes.

SA

Sense and Sensibility

4-26 May | Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide

Playwright Kate Hamill’s much-lauded adaptation of the Jane Austen classic brings the Dashwood sisters and their suitors to life for a new generation, as the girls work through romance and heartbreak while gossip swirls around them.

Anh Do

31 May-1 June | Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide

The much-loved comedian and artist brings his bestselling book to the stage, combining real-life stories with the stand-up comedy that made him a household name.

Next Month: Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic

22-24 June | Adelaide Entertainment Centre 

This family favourite skates into Adelaide with more than 30 classic Disney songs from the likes of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and, yes, Frozen.

WA

Ord Valley Muster

11-20 May | Various venues, Kununurra

Held over 10 days, the Ord Valley Muster transforms the Kimberley with a rodeo, dégustation dinners, comedy acts and a musical line-up headlined by Lee Kernaghan.

Next Month: Joel Creasey

8-9 June | Astor Theatre, Perth

Fresh from his commentating gig at Eurovision in Lisbon, the Perth native is home for two nights of unmissable stand-up.

QLD

Barry Humphries

10 May | QPAC, Brisbane

Get tickets while you can, possums. One of Australia’s most enduring performers will take to the stage with The Man Behind the Mask, an evening of stories about his long and colourful career.

Music Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert

19 May | Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Continuing the trend of marrying movies and live music, the score for the third in the Harry Potter series will be performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as the enchanting film plays on the big screen. Magic.

Blues on Broadbeach

17-20 May | Various venues, Broadbeach

One of the nation’s largest free music festivals returns for its 17th year, showcasing Australian and international talent, including former Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens, the Robert Cray Band and The Screaming Jets.

Next Month: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

12-24 June | QPAC, Brisbane

The National Theatre of Great Britain’s acclaimed production of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel takes to the stage in Brisbane during its tour of Australia.

NT

Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival

25 May-21 July | Various venues, Northern Territory

The festival’s program showcases the region’s talented filmmakers, with screenings turning some of the Northern Territory’s most remote locations, including Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula and Kakadu National Park, into outdoor movie theatres.

Bass in the Grass

19 May | George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

The 12-hour music festival’s line-up is led by Paul Kelly and includes performances by Vera Blue, Illy and Client Liaison.

TAS

George’s Marvellous Medicine

31 May-2 June | Theatre Royal, Hobart

Adapted from Roald Dahl’s book about a young boy who teaches his mean granny a lesson, George’s Marvellous Medicine bounds off the page in a live show that will entertain the whole family.

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

19 May | Federation Concert Hall, Hobart

Conducted by Rory Macdonald, the talented musicians of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra will tackle the most famous symphony in the world as part of the 2018 Master series.

Horizon

Until 1 July | Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

This exhibit features 23 works by Australian artists, including Rick Amor, William Robinson and Imants Tillers, for the first time since they were donated to the gallery from a private collection last year.

Next month: Dark Mofo

15-24 June | Various venues, Hobart 

The Museum of Old and New Art’s winter festival transforms Hobart with major exhibitions and musical and food events.