Occasionally nice people say to me: I don't know how you do it. The answer is that, sometimes, I can't. Your indefatigable blogger does, alas, occasionally find she is a little fatigable. And just when I think it's safe to stick my head over the parapet, Melbourne comes up with the critical equivalent of a cosh (read: another festival) and it's KO all around.

There I was, planning a quiet January - well, quiet as far as theatre is concerned - and suddenly my inbox is overflowing with interesting-looking invitations. Yes, it's the Midsumma Festival, Melbourne's lively queer festival, with a raft of stuff (180 events, covering performing arts, literature, visual arts, fashion, sporting and family events). I'm just not going to make it, so in lieu of actual attendance, I'm posting a few pointers to likely-looking shows. Read on, theatre fans, and then report back and tell me what I've missed.

On at La Mama:
Bookings: 9347 6142

THIEVING BOY/ LIKE STARS IN MY HANDS
Two plays by Timothy Conigrave, directed by Robert Chuter. January 19 – February 2
(La Mama at Carlton Courthouse, 349 Drummond St Carlton)

OUT OF THE BLUE
By Kate O’Brien, directed by Lloyd Jones. January 23 – February 3
(at La Mama, 205 Faraday St Carlton)
Performed by Rosie Johns, Marisa Lawler, Adam J.A. Cass, Tim Ferris

PORCELAIN
By Chay Yew, directed by Beng Oh. January 24 – February 10 (at La Mama)
Winner of the London Fringe Award for Best Play. With Keith Brocket, Colin MacPherson, Matthew Molony, Paul David-Goddard, Leon Durr.

On at Gasworks:
Cnr Graham and Pickles St, Albert Park
Bookings: 9699 3253 or www.gasworks.org.au

PINK SHORTS, featuring plays by Jerome Parisse-Brassens, Noel Anderson, Geoffrey Masters, Liza Dezfouli, Tanja Lee Jones, Helen Slaney, Declan Greene, Jessica Letch and Rick Viede, January 22-26

25 FRAMES: Beyond the Porn Legend: Aiden Shaw
By Kevin McGreal, directed by Tim Hunter. January 22-February 2.

And, of course, the cabaret scene is humming, with highlights being Michael Dalley's Vaudeville X at the Victorian Arts Centre, Dolly Diamond (plus 13-piece backing band) at Chapel Off Chapel, and a full-on program at cabaret central, The Butterfly Club, which includes A Tribute to Poppins.

Check out the full Midsumma program here.