IMPROACT is staging “The Office”, not the TV show, but an interactive, roving show that takes place in an actual office space. At the PASH, Suite 301, 20 Allara Street, Civic, September 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21, bookings to impro.com.au

CANBERRA-raised actor and director Ed Wightman is back at Rep directing “The Book of Everything”. It’s set in Amsterdam in 1951 and young Thomas is writing a book… At Theatre 3, September 12-28, bookings to 6257 1950.

ANOTHER Canberra-raised talent is Peter Cooke, the former School of Music Wind Band player who became head of design and deputy director at NIDA before heading the School of Drama at the top-notch Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Cooke has just been re-appointed to another five-year term and writes: “I have been to the White House for dinner with the Obamas, sat next to Aretha Franklin, and had to keep pinching myself.”

OPERA lovers will be relieved that the Singing Division of the Australian National Eisteddfod will conclude with the $5000 (second prize $2000) Centenary Aria competition in the Albert Hall, 2pm, on Sunday, September 15. There are 14 entrants and while it is not called the National Aria, it goes some way towards filling the gap left when sponsors pulled out of that jewel in Canberra’s musical crown. Tickets $12 at the door.

KATE Rafferty, the soprano who’s been heading up performances for “Opera by Candlelight”, is in Vienna sharing a flat with Jerica Steklasa, who played Pamina in “The Magic Flute” at Albert Hall earlier in the year. Meantime, father Carl Rafferty is gearing up for “Love Changes Everything”, a potpourri of musical comedy and light opera at the Playhouse at 5pm and 7pm on September 14. Quote the word “Phantom” when booking at 6275 2700 and you’ll get two tickets for the price of one.

NICOLE Canham, 2008 “CityNews” Artist of the Year and former director of the Canberra International Music Festival, has won the award for Excellence by an Individual at APRA’s Art Music Awards held recently in Sydney for “Hourglass”, an international project performed with a team of Mexican and Australian composers, video and installation artists in Mexico City.

BELL Shakespeare has expressed “disappointment” at my assertion in a story on citynews.com.au that “Canberrans won’t see the cream of the crop” in their 2014 season. A spokeswoman told us research has shown that Canberrans want Shakespeare from the company, rather than, say, Moliere’s “Tartuffe”. As for John Bell’s production of “The Winter’s Tale”, that was planned from the outset as a Sydney-only show. But Bell himself, the spokeswoman assured us, loves Canberra best of all.

THE Artist’s Shed in Queanbeyan is staging “Counterfeit Cash Live at San QBN Prison” on September 14. It’s a 10th anniversary show marking the death of Johnny Cash. Details at artistsshed.com/

AFTER 18 years exhibiting regularly with groups, Canberra artist Joan Costanzo has decided to “emerge” with her first solo exhibition, showing works in brilliant colours. “Reality Check” is at Kaori Gallery, in Canberra City Framing Gallery, until September 28.

GREAT news that a Greek marble stele (an upright stone with an inscribed or sculptured surface, used as a monument) from the late 4th century BC has been purchased by the Friends of the Classics Museum with all the donations to the Jill Downer Fund, honouring the memory of the late founder of Early Music Enterprises and long-time supporter of the museum.

ART Song Canberra’s next concert is at Wesley Music Centre, 3pm, on Sunday, September 8. “Lovers of Song” will be performed by mezzo-soprano Maartje Sevenster, baritone Joaquin Quilez-Marin and tenor Charles Hudson, with Colin Forbes at the piano. Tickets at the door.