Reviews

The Hanky Code

Written and directed by Jarryd Prain. Fringe World. Ground Floor Comedy at the Terrarium, 99 St George’s Terrace Perth, WA. Jan 28- Feb 1, 2025

The Hanky Code is a one-man stand-up show that educates as well as entertains. Presented by Jarryd Prain, it tells us of the hank code, a code that developed in the 1970s, as a way for gay men to subtly signal their sexual preferences.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals

Written by Nick & Matt Lang with music & lyrics by Jeff Blim. Funk Soul Productions – Originally produced by Star Kid Productions. Goodwood Theatre and Studios, Goodwood. Jan 31 – Feb 8, 2025

Last year Adelaide saw the SA Premiere of Twisted, the year before Firebringer and now another SA premiere, presented by Funk Soul Productions, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, all devised by Starkid Productions.

StarKid Productions, also known as Team StarKid, is an American musical theatre company founded in 2009 at the University of Michigan by Darren Criss, Brian Holden, Nick Lang and Matt Lang.

Evil Dead: The Musical

Ghostlight Theatre Co. EvilCorp Horror Maze, Brisbane. 31 January to 9 March 2025

Ghostlight Theatre’s Queensland premiere production of Evil Dead: The Musical is a cult hit and has already sold out its full production run! That is probably because the team that brought you Exorcist: The Musical, directors, Yasmin Elahi and Benjamin Oxley, prove that they don’t shy away from challenging and entertaining musical productions. Plus their ability to choose outstanding cast members is on full display in this wacky homage to B-grade Drive-In Horror flicks and quirky musical styles.

Penn & Teller 50th Anniversary Tour

QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane. Jan 29 - Feb 7, 2025

Fun and frivolity graced the Brisbane concert hall last night with a night of wacky magic tricks, illusion and lots of audience participation from the ever-popular magicians and entertainers Penn & Teller, particularly well-known for their television programs featuring international guest artists as well as snippets from their own live shows.

This is Our Youth

By Kenneth Lonergan. Marked Studios. Part of Subilicious for Fringe World. Directed by Noirit Seal. The Studio, Subiaco Arts Centre, WA. Jan 30- Feb 1, 2025

Kenneth Lonergan’s This is Our Youth is a well-known coming of age play, set in New York’s Upper East Side at the beginning of the Reagan era. Set over 48 hours it tells of three lost souls - ,Warren Straub a 19-year-old who has stolen $15 thousand dollars from his business tycoon father, Dennis, his drug dealer friend, and Warren’s love interest, Jessica. This incarnation is presented by Marked Studios, for a very short production as part of Subilicious for Fringe World.

Lewis Major: Triptych

Choreographed and directed by Lewis Major. State of Play and Fringe World. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2025

Lewis Major: Triptych is a collection of dance works choreographed by Lewis Major with mentors Russell Maliphant and Hofesh Schechter, playing for a short season in the Heath Ledger Theatre as part of State of Play and Fringe World. Visually stunning, innovative choreography is expertly executed.

White Sun

By Will Dickie. Directed by Peader Kirk. The Blue Room Studio, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Jan 25-Feb 1, 2025

This is the Australian (an International) premiere of White Sun. This one-person show is playing for a short season as part of the Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Season

A lone actor, Will Dickie, moves strangely on the stage, continually moving throughout the sixty-minute play. He explains that like David Garrick who pioneered a new style of acting, he comes from Hampton and intends to do the same - with a pioneering acting style.

Aria

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Janine Watson. 24 Jan – 15 March, 2025

Australia’s best-known playwright, soon to be 83, returns to Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre with yet another fine play. Incredibly active still, David Williamson tried out this play in Noosa, Queensland last year and now lets fly in his Sydney headquarters, much to the delight of his many fans.

Milo Hartill: Black, Fat and F**gy

By Milo Hartill. Fringe World. The Rechabites, William St, Northbridge, WA. Jan 23 - Feb 2, 2025

While you may not recognise Milo Hartill’s name, you will probably recognise her face or figure. Star of a hugely popular Google Commercial, underwear model and actress, this young woman from Perth has acting performances with Melbourne Theatre Company and at Sydney Opera House to her credit.

A Body at Work

Written & performed by Frankie Van Kan. Dramaturg & director Maude Davey. Midsumma. Theatre Works, St Kilda. 28 January – 1 February 2025

Frankie Van Kan’s A Body at Work is billed as ‘confessional theatre’.  But ‘confession’ has connotations of shame or embarrassment, and there is not a trace of either in this show.  On the contrary, Van Kan’s aim is to dispel both.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.