the diary

Need inspiration for a weekend away or special night out? Mark these dates in your diary.

• MARCH 17 In Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Abigail’s Party at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner (photo 3). Beverly invites her neighbours in for an evening which descends into a night of social awkwardness, scandalous flirting and hilarious insults. Visit mtc.com.au. • MARCH 23 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is back with Puccini’s love story La Bohème ( 2). Visit opera.org.au. • MARCH 28 Dave Hughes, Cal Wilson and Peter Helliar ( 8) join a mix of comedy superstars at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Visit comedyfestival.com.au. • MARCH 29 More than 65 Impressionist masterpieces feature in the Art Gallery of South Australia’s exhibition Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay ( 9). Visit artgallery.sa.gov.au. • MARCH 30 In an Australian exclusive, Cartier: The Exhibition, at the National Gallery of Australia, showcases pieces from the jewellery 5 house ( 1, 8). Visit nga.gov.au. • APRIL 4

Celebrate the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Festival 2018, with 12 days of free music, theatre and dance ( 7). Visit gc2018.com/ festival2018. • APRIL 6 Women of the World celebrates the achievements of women and girls, along with workshops and performances, including Indigenous artist Emily Wurramara ( 6). Visit wowaustralia.com.au. • APRIL 13

In New Histories at the Bendigo Art Gallery artists have created works responding to pieces from the gallery’s collections ( 5). Visit bendigoartgallery.com.au. • APRIL 21 Former military officer Catherine McGregor lived as a man until, aged 56, she faced a turning point. Sydney Theatre Company’s Still Point Turning: The Catherine McGregor Story, starring Heather Mitchell, ( 4, right) brings Catherine’s story ( 4, left) to the stage. Visit sydneytheatre.com.au.