By Nicolai Khalezin with the participation of Natalia Kaliada. Belarus Free Theatre. Directed and Performed by Nicolai Khalezin. Music by Lavr Berzhanin (DJ Laurel). A Malthouse Theatre and Monash Academy of Performing Arts production. Alexander Theatre – Monash University, 6 – 8 August and Malthouse Theatre, 9 – 18 August 2018.
With an excellent sense of irony and humour, in an open crisp grounded manner, Nacolai Khalezin tells us his story. The choice of words and Khalezin’s native tongue evoke strong imagery. Translation is sur-titled with enough time to read, whilst attaining adequate glimpses of the performer, to become entranced by the authenticity of his narrative and presentation.
By Carolyn Bock and Helen Hopkins. The Shift Theatre. La Mama Courthouse, Carlton, Vic. August 8 – 19, 2018
History cannot be repeated!
Hallowed Ground - Woman Doctors In War chronologically shifts to and fro through a century of wars, with vivid and strong accounts of Australian medical women who have worked in the armed forces.
Carolyn Bock and Helen Hopkins from The Shift Theatre - writers and two of the four performers - have recreated an explorative meshing of female characters that project an ongoing concern over the male dominated hierarchical divisions in the military/medical establishment. The actors give powerful and honest performances.
By Jessica Swale. New Theatre, Newtown (NSW). Aug 7 – Sep 8, 2018
Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn has the sort of knockabout, physical style you’d expect to see in Shakespeare’s Globe – it’s where this London hit began a few years ago.
It’s a witty and bawdy travel through Restoration England when women were finally allowed on the stages and the Merry Monarch was chasing the best of them.
By Kellie Silver. Tugun Theatre Company, Gold Coast. Director: David Fraser. 9th - 25th August, 2018.
Kellie Silver is a Gold Coast playwright who first presented this play as a ‘one act’ piece and then developed it into the full length version. This is its second outing on the coast. I have been fortunate to see the metamorphosis of all three productions.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Alondra de la Parra. Piano: Joge Viladoms. Didjeridu: William Barton. Brisbane Chorale and Students from Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Concert Hall, QPAC. 9 August 2018
This exciting and eclectic concert was not only a celebration of Empire, but also America and Australia, with Australia well represented by five works including one world premiere.
By Eric Idle and John Duprez. Spotlight Theatre, Benowa, Gold Coast. 3-18 August, 2018.
This is the Queensland Premiere of Monty Python’s comic oratorio, based on the Life Of Brian, and for Monty Python devotees and it’s one not to be missed!
The creative team of Director Tony Alcock, Musical Director Matt Pearson and Choreographer Erin Brummage has obviously had a ball preparing this production with an on-stage orchestra of over thirty musicians and nearly as many singers.
By Frederick Knott. Pymble Players (NSW). July 25 – August 11, 2018.
Pymble Players’ production of the well- known classic thriller Dial M for Murder was an intriguing and highly entertaining afternoon at the theatre.
Confessing I have never seen the Hitchcock directed movie from 1954 or any version of the play, I had no preconceived thoughts on this piece. Reading director Joy Sweeney’s notes in the programme I was a bit concerned to read that it had one of the most complicated plots to hit the stage.
By L. Frank Baum. Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg. Background Music by Herbert Stothart. Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company. A production by Richmond Players with Richmond High School. The “Mac” Auditorium, Richmond High School, Lennox Street, Richmond. August 10 – 19, 2018.
I had the privilege to sit in on the tech run of this production on Monday night and though there were a few little glitches (after all, that’s what tech rehearsals are all about), director Josie Dwyer, musical director David Catterall and their very efficient and hard-working crew have their show ready to “hit the high spots” – and there are plenty of high spots to hit!
Written & performed by Sam Anderson. The Butterfly Club, Melbourne. 6 – 11 August 2018
Sam Anderson is a big, brawny, super-fit guy. He has to be super-fit since in this show he rarely rests and is rarely still. The sweat is real. Dressed in work-out gym gear, his persona is a hepsi-pepsi, gung-ho, semi-bullying gym instructor and we’re his ‘class’, bent on self-improvement. He’s on an exercise bike – well, the bike is mimed – and he’s pedalling fast. Supposedly, we are too.
