THE DIARY: events, exhibitions and shows

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

• AUGUST 20 Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Alinta Chidzey and Casey Donovan bring the razzledazzle in hit musical Chicago (2), premiering at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. chicago the musical. com.au

• AUGUST 22 Fifty years after first opening in Australia, revolutionary rock musical Hair (8) returns starring Hugh Sheridan, Paulini and Prinnie Stevens. Hair opens at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth before touring nationally. hairthemusical.com.au

• AUGUST 23 Featuring the work of some of the biggest names in photography, the 2019 Ballarat International Foto Biennale (4) will inspire and confront. ballaratfoto.org

• AUGUST 28 The tragic story of young love, Romeo & Juliet (7) returns to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, in Queensland Ballet’s production. queenslandballet.com.au

• AUGUST 29 Maxine Peake (1) stars in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Avalanche: A Love Story, at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. The production tells the story of one woman’s experience of IVF with honesty and humour. sydneytheatre.com.au

• AUGUST 29 Visit Alice Springs for the 2019 Desert Festival (5), which kicks off with a street parade before a six-week program of theatre, music and art. desfest.com

• AUGUST 31 The Australian Ballet’s production of Sylvia (9) debuts at the Arts Centre Melbourne before travelling to the Sydney Opera House. australianballet.com.au

• SEPTEMBER 7 Lichtenstein to Warhol: The Kenneth Tyler Collection (3) , at the National Gallery of Australia, explores the master printer’s influence. nga.gov.au BOOK NOW! Billy Elliot the Musical (6) returns to Australia for its 10th anniversary tour in October, opening at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre before visiting Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide next year. billyelliotthemusical.com.au