Polite Society’s Social Diary – November

On track for a fabulous Spring

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More than 10 million Australians engage with the Lexus Melbourne Cup, either trackside or by shouting at the TV as the world’s best thoroughbreds charge round Flemington. But while the Cup may steal the show, we’re also looking forward to wining and dining at Derby, Oaks and Stakes Day – with the hottest tickets being entry to LANDMARK by Lexus (so noteworthy it requires capitalisation, apparently), and some ‘hidden’ bars, which possibly defeat the real purpose of the whole event – being seen. Outside the Birdcage, the VRC has really lifted its game, with The Park precinct boasting elevated street food from fancy arancini to Balinese burgers, and performances from Empire of the Sun and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Melbourne Cup Carnival, November 2-9.

Oscar made its world premiere in Melbourne this September and now Sydney audiences can appreciate the dazzling beauty of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s new work as it arrives at the Opera House this month. Over two acts, with a score by Joby Talbot (who also wrote the score for Wheeldon's smash hit Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Oscar tells the story of Wilde’s life, from his notorious relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas (“Bosie”) to his tortured years in Reading gaol. The Age gave it five stars; book as soon as you can. Sydney Opera House, November 8-23.

Men in bowler hats falling from the sky, a room containing only a giant apple… René Magritte’s genius imagination created some of the most iconic paintings of the 20th century – and now visitors to the Art Gallery of New South Wales can get to see many of them for the very first time. Magritte is a major, in-depth retrospective featuring more than 100 works, from the artist’s first avant-garde explorations and commercial works in the 1920s, to his later, ground-breaking contributions to surrealism. Art Gallery of New South Wales, until March 2025.

One of our favourite summer activities? Relaxing on a bean bag under the stars at an outdoor cinema. Luckily, there are many sites to choose from this year, including Laneway Cinema at The Rocks (free, but you need to book your ticket in advance), Movinbed at Bangaroo (surely one of the world’s best settings), and Movinbed Melbourne at District Docklands. The Rocks from November 6; Movinbed from November 29.

Despite its somewhat cryptic titleJulie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory – this exhibition of the American-Ethiopian artist promises to be one of the year’s most absorbing. Born in Ethiopia and airlifted out with her parents as civil war loomed, Mehretu’s large-scale pieces frequently build on photographs of crises and current events, which are blurred and painted over in ink and acrylic paint. They’re abstract, moving and very beautiful. Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, from November 29.

Christmas is coming, but not all indulgence at this time of year needs to be gastronomic. In Sydney, festive favourite The Nutcracker opens at the Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre, with Sir Peter Wright’s classic production staying faithful to the original as young ballet student Clara follows her Nutcracker doll on a fantastical, Christmas Eve adventure. Sydney Opera House, November 30-December 18.

In Melbourne, meanwhile, A Christmas Carol returns for the third year and is fast becoming a tradition for many. Erik Thomson plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly misanthrope who’s forced to repent his money-grabbing ways, alongside beloved actor Alison Whyte as the Ghost of Christmas Past. An extremely interactive production, with performers roaming the stalls and fruit rolled from the dress circle, you can’t help but leave the theatre in a jolly festive mood. Comedy Theatre Melbourne, from November 22.