Reviews

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre’s production of The Addams Family is a big, lavish production with a professional polish and big budget feel.

This feels like a big touring production, Set and Lighting Designer Stephen Carr, establishes the world of the Addams Family even before the first song and we know we’re in for a treat. Hilary Readings’ costumes are also impressive. Cleverly directed by Ryan Taafe, this show pays on its promise.

Just as 57-year-old Felicity (Ruth Katerelos) discovers she’s pregnant - how embarrassing – at her age - her grown-up children start arriving for Sunday lunch.  It’s an idea with potential.  Unfortunately the play does little with it.  There’s the elder daughter, bossy-boots Emily (Jennifer Monk) and her mild, obliging husband Andrew (James Rosier).  Mike (Pat Moonie) is the middle child; he’s with his fiancée Melanie (Lee McClenaghan) who’s largely oblivious to Mike’s misery  – and the wedding is imminent.&nbsp

Look out Liza Minnelli, there’s a new girl back in town. The multi-faceted performer and sometime drag queen Trevor Ashley has let loose on Brisbane audiences with Liza’s Back! (is broken) after seasons around Australia and London’s West End.This show is a sequel of sorts to his smash hit 2010 production of Liza! (on a E) which headlined at the Brisbane Cabaret Festival.

This show is what you get when you mix technical excellence, irreverent devotion to the musical genre, humour and an ability to have an audience do just what you want with a gesture or look.