Reviews

Speed: The Movie, The Play

Written and Directed by Dan Beeston, Natalie Bochenski and Gregory Rowbotham. Act React. Melbourne Fringe. October 9 – 20, 2024

In the car park behind the Prahan Town Hall sits a big passenger bus; people are queueing up eager to jump on this theatrical joyride. Speed: The Movie, The Play, devised by the Brisbane based comedy theatre company Act React - they specialise in pop culture inspired performances and immersive theatre. Touring nationally across Australia, offering audiences a hard arse hour of unstoppable entertainment, they have now returned to Melbourne Fringe.

8 Women

Written by Robert Thomas. Translated by Céline Oudin.Directed by Chris Baldock. A Mockingbird Theatre Company Production. Belco Arts: The Belconnen Arts Centre. 10-19 October 2024

People trapped by deep snow in a country manor; phone lines and car fuel lines cut; one dead patriarch; so many classic Agatha Christie tropes are crammed into this show.  8 Women (originally Huit Femmes) by French actor and director Robert Thomas is a satirical take on the classic English whodunnit. It has been broadcast on French television twice and adapted into three movies, but only translated into English a smattering of times. The play makes fun of the 50s whodunnit genre, incorporating farce and slyly referencing class and sexual politics.

The 2024 Bachelor of Acting Showcase

Directed by Jacqui Somerville. Presented by Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium. Ian Hanger Recital Hall. 10 – 12 October, 2024.

Surely there were a few nerves before the inaugural third-year industry showcase from the QLD Conservatorium Bachelor of Acting students. The 2024 graduating class certainly didn't let any trepidation show on stage. The talented young cast treated us to a wide variety of short excerpts from classical and modern works out of Australia, the US, and Europe. Consisting of comedy, drama and songs, the extracts were cleverly stitched together to create one gratifying work that allowed the performers to show versatility in playing a variety of roles.

Wife

By Samuel Adamson. New Theatre, Newtown, NSW. 8 October – 2 November, 2024

Samuel Adamson’s Wife is an artful, intriguing voyage through generations of gay and straight relationships, with a focus on controlling partners. It’s inspired by Ibsen’s heroine Nora as she finally slams the door on her husband and leaves A Doll’s House.

Grease the Musical

By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. John Frost for Crossroads Live. Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide. September 28th – October 26th, 2024

Many believe the musical Grease came to life in the hugely popular 1978 film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, however writers and lyricists Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey first staged a version of the musical in Chicago in 1971, before diluting its content for Broadway release in 1972.

We Will Rock You

By Queen and Ben Elton. Directed by Karen Francis. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA. Oct 2-6, 2024

The “big production” in WA’s accidental little Ben Elton festival (it ran concurrently with Arena’s production of Ben Elton’s Silly Cow)We Will Rock You had its audience rapt, as they laughed heartily, clapped, stamped their feet and sang along.

This futuristic Queen musical that doesn’t take itself very seriously, was performed with both excellence and a nod and a wink, as this huge cast wowed its audience.

Avenue Q

Music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty, Blackout Theatre. Pioneer Theatre, Castle Hill. October 4 – 13, 2024

Stepping into the Pioneer Theatre at Castle Hill, a buzz was in the air. Blackout Theatre's production of Avenue Q promised an evening full of laughter, thought-provoking moments, and musical brilliance, and it delivered in spades. 

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

Book: Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins. Music & Lyrics: Various artists. Director: Phyllida Lloyd. Choreographer: Anthony Van Laast. Set & Costume Designer: Mark Thompson. Musical Director: Christina Polimos. Princess Theatre, Melbourne. October 3, 2024 - January 26, 2025.

It's uncommon for the subjects of a biographical musical to be living and actively participate in its production. However, Tina Turner and her second husband, Erwin Bach, served as Executive Producers for the original production of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which opened to widespread acclaim in April 2018. Sadly Ms Turner passed away (aged 83) just as the Sydney production was opening in May 2023. Ticket sales for the show in Australia have been extraordinary, and worldwide, it has attracted millions of theatregoers and devoted fans of Ms Turner.

Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Bronté. Adapted for stage by Ali Bendall. Director Ali Bendall. Genesian Theatre. 5 Oct – 10 Nov, 2024

Charlotte Bronté published Jane Eyre under the male pseudonym Currer Bell in England in 1847. In 1868 in faraway Australia, St John’s Church was opened in Kent Street Sydney. Over 150 years later they come together in this in this farewell production in the building that has been the home of the Genesian Theatre Company for 70 years.

Little Shop of Horrors

Music by Alan Menken and lyrics and book by Howard Ashman. The Attic Productions. The Art House, Wyong. Oct 3 – 6, 2024

The Attic Productions has brought their first full musical to the stage with the effervescent and simultaneously ominous Little Shop of Horrors.  The small cast of only fourteen actors managed to fill the space with energy and optimism as the story goes from bad to worse for all of mankind.

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