Polite Society’s Social Diary - May

Melbourne’s Malthouse does a great line in immersive theatre – whether it’s 2024’s Halloween-themed Hour of the Wolf or its earlier production, Because The Night, a claustrophobic take on Hamlet. But this month’s world premiere of its newest production, The Birds, promises to take the experience to a whole new level of nerviness. Tippi Hedren immortalised the role of Melanie Daniels in Hitchcock’s classic movie, playing a glamorous socialite targeted by flocks of malicious birds; in this performance, the audience gets to suffer the horror alongside award-winning actor Paula Arundell, with headphones making the murderous swoops feel all-too real. The Malthouse, May 16-June 7

It's a stellar line-up for this year’s Sydney Writer’s Festival, with everyone from Booker-Prize winner Samantha Harvey (whose beautiful, profound novel Orbital was one of our favourite novels last year) to literary luminaries like Alan Hollinghurst, Colm Tóibín and Jeanette Winterson discussing their latest works, the writing life and more. We’re looking forward to hearing Kaliane Bradley on her brilliant debut, The Ministry of Time. Various venues, May 18-June 11

Fancy half a dozen Cheeky Naked Oysters washed down with a crisp glass of Hunter Valley semillon, with Sydney Harbour as your glittering backdrop? (Who doesn’t?) Put a note in the diary, then, for this year’s Pyrmont Festival at Pirrama Park, where leading New South Wales producers of the very best food, wine, gin, beer and more will be spruiking their wares, and making it very easy indeed to have a relaxing afternoon in the sun. Plus, it’s a pet-friendly event, which means our dachshund mascot, Hugo, is already planning his outfit. Pirrama Park, Pyrmont, May 17-18

Fun fact: And Then There Were None is one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 100 million copies sold. Now acclaimed actor Robyn Nevin has brought this Agatha Christie classic to the stage, directing the strange and mysterious tale of 10 strangers summoned to an isolated island off the English coast, where they learn that each is accused of murder – and then, one by one, they meet an unsavoury end themselves. There’s a great cast, including Eden Falk and Nicholas Hammond (Spider-Man!), and where better to see an Agatha Christie than the Theatre Royal? Sydney, May 3-June 1

The Potter Museum of Art reopens after refurbishment this month with one of its most ambitious exhibitions yet – the ironically titled 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. Celebrating the depth and beauty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creativity, the show features rarely displayed art and cultural objects from the University of Melbourne’s archives, as well as 193 important works from public and private collections – including ground-breaking artists such as William Barak, Emily Kam Kngwarra, Albert Namatjira and Destiny Deacon. The accompanying exhibition book from Thames & Hudson – also called 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art– is worth buying for its new writing by 25 leading thinkers on indigenous art and history. The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne, from May 30.

Broadcaster and author Jamila Rizvi was 31 when she was diagnosed with a rare, recurrent brain tumour; since then she has lived with complex disabilities due to acquired brain injury. Her friend and fellow writer Rosie Waterland (also the author of a couple of best-selling books) has struggled with her mental health thanks to a childhood marked by abuse and trauma. It all sounds rather grim, but these two smart, funny women have collaborated on a new book, Broken Brains, that’s anything but. For one night only, they’re in conversation at the Opera House for Broken Brains, discussing what they wish they’d had at the height of their illness, and their lives after. Drama Theatre, May 4

And finally, if you’re looking for a more cultured twist on the traditional Mother’s Day flowers (it’s on May 11, btw), there’s Floribunda, a new exhibition at Melbourne’s Bunjil Place in partnership with the NGV. Celebrating all things floral, it’s a bouquet of beautiful art and fashion, with work ranging from Arthur Streeton and Grace Cossington-Smith to Akira Isogawa and Yves Saint Laurent. Bunjil Place, Melbourne, until July 20