Polite Society's Social Diary - September

Like the Edinburgh Fringe but with consistently better weather, Sydney Fringe offers the chance to see some seriously innovative dance, circus and theatre, as well as a decent sprinkling of comedy in venues across the city. Highlights include Sh!t Theatre’s Or What’s Left Of Us, mixing folk music and true crime; lush tribute Kate Bush Unmoored and – because who doesn’t love a bit of hospital humour? – Christopher James’ tales from the frontline of nursing, Fun Scrubs.September 1-30, various venues

If Anne Frank had lived, would she still have written the famous line: ‘In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart’? Award-winning play Anne Being Frank poses this question at the Opera House this month, with Alexis Fishman reprising the title role after her Off-Broadway success. The action moves between the secret annex in Amsterdam, where Anne was sequestered with family and friends for two years; Bergen Belsen concentration camp; and an imagined future in New York. September 13-21, Playhouse, Sydney Opera House

The St Ali Italian Film Festival kicks off in Melbourne this month with a gorgeous selection of movies in which even the grittiest setting looks sort of chic. As we love luxurious fabrics and sharp design here at Polite Society, our top pick is Diamonds, a sumptuous story of a fashion house in 1970s Rome, staffed by a team of talented dressmakers struggling to fulfil the requirements of an Oscar-winning designer. Tantalising, no?

The delightfully named Sir Donald Runnicles conducts an intriguing triple bill at the Opera House this month, programmed with a distinctly watery feel. First up, the Sydney Symphony plays Sibelius’ much-loved Symphony No.2 (all passion and tumult by the end), along with Wagner’s stormy Flying Dutchman Overture. In her first performance with the orchestra, two-time Grammy Award–winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke takes on Elgar’s poetic Sea Pictures, all against the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous harbours. Lovely. September 18-20, Concert Hall

And from the vast to the petite, we have the opening of the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, established in 2001 as the nation’s first national acquisitive prize for original small sculptures (up to 80cm in dimension, to be precise). The winning artist receives a generous $25,000 prize and decent publicity – some of us might never have known about Hannah Gartside’s covetable little rabbit sculptures (made from old leather gloves) were it not for her triumph last year. September 26-November 16, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf

Orlando moved through four centuries of English history with dream-like grace, and that’s exactly what a new adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel attempts to create (early reviews say it succeeds). With a cast of non-binary and trans actors, our eponymous hero travels from the court of Elizabeth I to the present day in search of excitement and love, staged here with a deft, light-hearted touch. Be warned, though – it’s 105 minutes long without an interval. Orlando, September 10-28, Belvoir St Theatre

Having scored four and five-star reviews, The Talented Mr Ripley is definitely on our must-see list – this adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel is in Sydney first, then travels to Melbourne in the next stage of its tour. Will McDonald (you might recognise him from Heartbreak High) plays Ripley, the manipulative shyster who attaches himself to 1950s playboy Dickie Greenleaf, aping his style, manner and charm to devastating effect. Opera House until September 28; Arts Centre Melbourne, October 28-November 23