There are arts events happening in Canberra and Sydney reports HELEN MUSA in this week’s “Arts in the City” column. 

THOSE clever clowns from “The Wharf Revue,” Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott, have burst into print for the first time with “Much Revue About Nothing”, a compendium of monologues, duologues, sketches, and satirical songs from their madcap 20 years of comedy. They’re hoping that fans will love the nostalgia, while students and community theatres might like to put on their own satirical revue. Available from booknook.com.au

AFTER a covid-related cancellation in September, Melbourne comedians Joe and Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre will be in town at last with their new live show, “Sooshi Mango: Off the Boat,” performing the ethnic dad and mum characters that have made them famous. Canberra Theatre, January 12⁠-14, book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

THIS is surely the best time of the year to pack the family into the car and head for the Sydney Festival, the first directed by Olivia Ansell, which promises to “explode on to (and into) the city’s parks, pools, streets, stages and screens”. Along with the many free, family-focused events, public art installations and large-scale performances, there’ll be Broadway smash hits and a ballet of BMX bikes, with 33 world premieres and 52 new commissions over 25 days, January 6-30. Book at sydneyfestival.org.au 

CHILDREN have not been forgotten in the summer festivities, with Glenn Elston’s popular outdoor production of “The Wind In The Willows” coming to town. Mr Toad, Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter and Portly will entertain young and old, while the Head Chief Rabbit will transform the whole audience into “little rabbits”. The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, until January 23. Book at willowslive.com.au 

MEANTIME, visitors to the Sydney Opera House this summer will have the opportunity to enjoy Gale Edwards’ production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” for the very last time. The first opera artistic director Lyndon Terracini commissioned for the company, it premiered in 2011 and will be replaced by a new production in 2023. At Sydney Opera House until February 4. Book at opera.org.au