Paul Ransom, Journalist

“The ladybug begins as this sort of lonely character in this community of insects. She’s sort of waiting for her love to come and finally one day this city fly shows up with this incredible egg. So, it’s like a bug meets bug story.”

“The music is what sells that era and sells the nostalgia... Music in that day and age told a story, which it kinda doesn’t do anymore. There’s so much heart in the music that you forgive everything else.”

"I shall try to stick to the best bits; although the trouble is they’re all pretty good. Typical Dickens really."

This year’s Melbourne Festival might not be for everyone but, as festival director Brett Sheehy tells Paul Ransom, he always keeps ‘three people’ in mind.

“She’s just such a great counterpoint to Barbie in that she’s an adult and she’s sassy and witty and everything that Barbie sorta boggles at.”

“Why go and see a band reproduce a record note for note. Pointless right?”

"If I don’t sell anything at the next exhibition I’m probably going back to graphic design."

Inspired by traditional painting, choreographer Vicki Van Hout brings an ancient artform to life in contemporary dance. As Paul Ransom discovers, her latest work, Briwyant, is alive with connect points.

“We feel like we’re the absolute trolls of Disney brainwashing. Actually that was the most fun part of the project, to throw some light onto the kinda mass political correctness of Disney and the allergy to anything mildly of contention or sexual.”

“I used to think that everybody should be properly trained but then when I looked at the likes of Waits or Cave, they’re not everybody’s cup of tea but I love that they sing with a kind of truth."

Melbourne-based contemporary dance superstars Chunky Move may be in transition but that hasn’t killed their sense of play. As choreographer Antony Hamilton tells Paul Ransom, their newest work is all about using what you find.