Reviews

35mm: A Musical Exhibition

Music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver. Based on photographs by Matthew Murphy. Little Triangle. Flight Path Theatre, Marrickville. Nov 30 – Dec 9, 2023.

Kudos to Little Triangle director Alexander Andrews for his fresh ensemble interpretation of Ryan Scott Oliver’s musical theatre song cycle, based on Matthew Murphy’s photography, though that vision did require some homework either before or after the show for maximum impact.

Swan Lake

Music: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The Australian Ballet. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House / Tubowgule. December 1 – 20, 2023

Swan Lake is the epitome of classical ballet, the Hamlet of its genre, and worldwide most ballet companies have a few productions on the shelf. The Australian Ballet staged it in its first year in 1962 and, after imaginative reinventions this century by Graeme Murphy and Stephen Baynes, has appropriately revived it for this 60th anniversary year.

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare. Melbourne Shakespeare Company. Director: Ben Margalith. St Kilda Botanical Gardens Rose Garden. 1-23 December 2023

The Melbourne Shakespeare Company has delivered another spritely, inviting version of a well-worn text and made it relevant, funny and above all engaging.

Lucy May Knight (Jessica/servant), Jackson Cross (Lorenzo), Eleni Vettos (Portia) and Orion Carey-Clark (Brassiano), delighted as the strong central couples.  The more comedic couple, Andrew Cullimore (Gratiano) and Amanda McKay (Nerrisa) provided seamless support for them.  

The Female of the Species

By Joanna Murray-Smith. Melville Theatre. Directed by Lars Jensen. Roy Edinger Theatre, Melville, WA. Nov 30-Dec 9, 2023

The Female of the Species is loosely based on an incident where feminist academic and writer, Germaine Greer was taken hostage in her home by a teenage, female student.

As acerbic and clever Margot Mason works on her latest book, her peace is disturbed by student Molly Rivers - who has arrived unannounced to visit the famous feminist. It soon is revealed that seemingly sweet Molly’s intentions are to take hostage, then kill Margot, but the hostage situation becomes rather complicated.

The Man from Earth

By Jerome Bixby and Richard Schenkman. Directed by Virginia Moore Price. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. Nov 24 – Dec 9, 2023

The Man from Earth was adapted into a play by the director of the film of the same name. A bit of a cult classic, the film is considered by some to be one of the world’s best science fiction movies. Using no special effects, both film and play contemplate some of life’s questions, which lie at the centre of science fiction.

The Actress

By Peter Quilter. Directed by Karin Staflund. KADS Town Square Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. Nov 17-Dec 2, 2023

The Actress is a comedy set on a single night - the final performance of an actress about to retire. Well directed and performed by the team at KADS, this is a quality production that charmed its audiences.

The Boyfriend

By Sandy Wilson. Directed by Susan vincent. Garrick Theatre, Guildford, WA. Nov 30-Dec 8, 2023

The Boyfriend, a lovely 1920s pastiche, is playing at the Garrick Theatre, with a sweet and predominantly young cast. Enthusiastic performances, lots of colour and toe tapping songs keep the audience smiling throughout.

The Long Pigs

Devised by Clare Bartholomew, Susie Dee, Derek Ives-Plunkett & Nicci Wilks. Presented by WE3 and Cluster Arts. Theatre Works. 29 November – 9 December 2023

Long pigs?  A term used by South Sea island cannibals to describe human meat.  That is just one level – or layer – of meaning in this very dark, macabre, laugh-out-loud and brilliantly realised clown show. 

Who are the ‘long pigs’ here?  The performers, or us, or metaphorically all humanity, ripe for the slaughter?

Percussion, Conversation, Degustation

Performed by Duré Dara, Speak Percussion and friends. La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton. 30 November - 3 December 2023.

The legendary performer, entrepreneur, advocator and restaurateur Duré Dara is at the centre of these beguiling and unusual performances. Over four nights evocative music, sounds, food, song, dance, and conversation are carefully curated and offered in each show. Each evening is unique with different performers that mainly centre around Dara and her work. Each night has a different title and each show has a different emphasis on the overarching themes.

The Pillowman

By Martin McDonagh. Directed by Travis Koch. Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Nov 22 - Dec 2, 2023

A very dark piece for such a young cast, Hayman Theatre’s The Pillowman is a beautifully acted, carefully directed drama, that keeps its audience intrigued, involved, and occasionally appalled from beginning to end.

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