Reviews

The Big Dry

By Mark Kilmurry, adapted from the novel by Tony Davis. Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) / Ensemble Theatre. Directed by Fraser Corfield. Ensemble Theatre. June 4 - July 2, 2016.

It’s hard to under-estimate the challenge; the world premiere of a new play in a professional theatre, where carriage of the drama rested almost solely on teenagers and a child. Throw into the mix the need to re-create the atmosphere of a futuristic world dominated by dust storms, fighting over scarce resources and a Police state with only one set to play with on a small stage.

Yarn

Written & performed by Lily Fish. Directed by Andrew Gray. La Mama Theatre, Carlton VIC. 9 – 19 June 2016.

Lily Fish is a marvel - a protean, highly physical performer.  She tells tales illustrated by the tiniest but clearest gestures, her hands like minimal puppets.  With her buzz cut hair, she brings to mind Falconetti in Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc, but then, with her mobile face, she becomes a rather blundering Old Testament God at the dawn of creation.  Then she’s God’s ‘mistake’, Lilith, made like Adam from the primeval mud.  Later, in total contrast, an unhappy romantic wondering why love has failed.  Then she jumps o

Big Fish

Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Book by John August. The Therry Dramatic Society. Directed by Amanda Rowe. The Arts Theatre, Adelaide. 9-18 June, 2016

The Therry Dramatic Society’s latest production is an enchanting fable that explores many deep and thought provoking themes - ageing, mortality, generation gaps, the quest for identity, the sacrifices required to ensure that love endures, the conflict between history versus mythology and the value of storytelling – thorough the prism of a fantastical hero’s journey that joyously illuminates the absurdities of life. Big Fish is arguably the most accomplished work of musical theatre to have been staged in Adelaide during the last five years.

Megan Hilty In Concert

Concert Hall, QPAC, 9 June 2016, then Theatre Royal Sydney and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

When Broadway’s favourite ‘Blonde Bombshell’ Megan Hilty sang the Smash anthem “Let me be your Star” last night there was no doubt she was a star and a star of the first magnitude with a voice that could blast a tune to the back wall of the theatre or caress a ballad with touching sweetness or regret.

Indian Embrace

Indian Australian Association. Star Theatres, Adelaide. June 8-11, 2016

American raised Playwright Carol Dance has joined forces with the Indian Australian Association of South Australia to bring to the stage her cross-cultural play Indian Embrace, a tale of connection with family and country. Dance aims to teach us life lessons and traditions, but with mixed results.

The action takes place in a guesthouse located in Varanasi, India. Location is established with projections on the back wall and a distinctive Indian soundtrack.

Young Frankenstein

Book: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan. Music & Lyrics: Mel Brooks. Original Direction & Choreography: Susan Stroman. Director: Matt Bearup. Musical Director: Matthew Nutley. Choreographer: Rhylee Nowell. MLOC Productions. Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale. May 2016.

Ever wondered what happens to your favourite characters after the credits roll or you reach the last page of a book?

Young Frankensteincontinues the story of some classic characters. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Adam Jon) is the grandson of the Frankenstein famous for reanimating the dead. Frederick wants to escape his family’s legacy and insists on pronouncing his surname, ‘Fronkensteen.'

This is the musical version of a 1974 horror comedy movie by Mel Brooks. It’s a great choice for the first show in MLOC Productions’ 71st year.

Megan Hilty in Concert

Musical Director Matt Cusson. Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. 8th June, 2016, and touring to Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.

She has more sensational curves than are respectable, yet she’s not overtly sexual; she is a huge star on stage and screen, and yet she’s natural, even scratching her head, twirling her hair and saying ‘Um’ a lot; she’s everything the audience of Smash hoped for, yet nothing they expected. “Blonde Bombshell” is out, “lovely woman with a voice to die for” is IN.

Angels in America

By Tony Kushner. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Kate Cherry. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, WA. May 28-June 19, 2015

Tony Kushner's Angels in America, Part 1, Millennium Approaches, has never before been professionally performed in Western Australia. At one point the most performed play in the United States, it is a show that has been long awaited, and is now presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company.

Kate Cherry has assembled a very strong cast performing on Christina Smith's clinically clean, thoughtfully designed and smoothly transcending set.

Stolen

By Jane Harrison. National Theatre of Parramatta. Riverside Theatre Parramatta. June 2 – 17, 2016.

Jane Harrison’s poignant play about the experiences of the Stolen Generations has been performed all over Australia and in the UK, Hong Kong and Japan. It is apt that this new production, directed by Vicki Van Hout, opened during Reconciliation Week.

Double Indemnity

Written by Tom Holloway. Adapted from the Novella by James McCain. Directed by Sam Strong. MTC. Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. May 30 - July 2, 2016.

Despite the disclosure on all advertising that this is NOT based on Billy Wilder’s 1944 film noir, the audience (and, seemingly, some of the critics) are clearly being influenced by the film. Don’t be. This is not a send-up or an homage, it’s a play, adapted from a book, and it deserves to be seen as such.

The plot is still basic – a jaded insurance salesman falls for a femme fatale and together they plot to kill her husband by an “accident” which pays double reward, but who is playing whom?

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