Reviews

Little Shop of Horrors

By Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, Melville Theatre Company. Directed by Craig Menner. Roy Edinger Theatre, Stock Rd, Palmyra, WA. Aug 25-Sep 16, 2023

Cult classic Little Shop of Horrors is currently being presented by Melville Theatre Company to very receptive audiences.

The Marvellous Elephant Man the Musical

Written and composed by Marc Lucchesi, Sarah Nandagopan and Jayan Nandagopan. Co-Directed by Chris HF Mitchell and Guy Masterson. Sydney Spiegeltent, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney Fringe Festival. September 1 – October 1, 2023.

This production was FULL of surprises. The first is that it is a fully formed musical played by a juicy brass band, with catchy tunes with quite sophisticated and at times hysterically funny lyrics.

The actual story of The Elephant Man is only loosely followed. The original John Merrick suffered from severe deformities and was exploited by a travelling showman, and so this musical is appropriately set in the Spiegeltent. The tent splendidly evokes the Victorian era, equipped with a circular circus like stage and a cage hoisted to the roof of the big top.

Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!

By Nelle Lee, with Estee Lee. Shake & Stir Theatre Co. Brisbane Festival. Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. August 25 to September 17, 2023

Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Cremorne Theatre has transformed into a drag fairytale for Shake & Stir’s latest production, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! Produced in association with CPL – Choice, Passion, Life and presented as part of the Brisbane Festival, this show is a unique journey that resonates with audience members from all walks of life and all abilities.

Piano: A Reading in Seven Parts

By Domenico de Clario. La Mama HQ, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton. August 31, 2023

This reading tenderly explores what could have happened if the individual visits to Lorne by Mark Twain, D. H. Lawrence and Rudyard Kipling, had happened at the same time. The men are accompanied by the women in their lives, Frieda, D. H. Lawrence’s wife, Susie, Mark Twain’s daughter, and Caroline, Rudyard Kipling’s fiancée.

What of It?

Written and directed by Rebecca Fingher. Presented by Rebecca Fingher in collaboration with Lazy Yarns. Theatre Works Explosives Factory. 30 August – 9 September 2023

What of It is an in-your-face role reversal visceral confrontation with three down and dirty street chav women in search of cock before the world ends in three days.  The end of the world could be true, could be rumour, could be ‘fake news’.  Whatever.  Big tall Daks’ (Emma Wright) first instinct is to be safe in a bunker.  But then what?  Bully boss leader Cory (Xanthe Blaise) figures if the world’s going to end anyway, then it’s gonna be three days living fast and hard – and anyway, their little pal Luck (Courtney Caval

All Rise. Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra and the SSO

Composer Wynton Marsalis. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. 31 Aug – 1 Sept, 2023

The stage of the Concert Hall is filled with sixteen members of New York’s  Lincoln Center Orchestra, their brass instruments shining, surrounded by the splendid Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Above them 170 members of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs almost fill the balcony under the towering pipe organ.

Conductor Benjamin Northey stands before them, baton in hand. There is an extended expectant hush … and then the men sing “Ah Zum” …

Witness For The Prosecution

By Agatha Christie. KADS. Directed by Peter Neaves. KADS’ Town Hall Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2023

A good murder mystery, especially one by Agatha Christie, is usually a recipe for box-office success and KADS seem to be on a winner with Witness for The Prosecution, with a capacity house on Opening Night. This play is currently enjoying a long run in London, testament to the play’s ongoing popularity.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

By Lanie Robertson. State Theatre Company South Australia. The Space, Adelaide Festival Centre. 15 August- 9 September, 2023

Having spent time visiting some of Billie Holiday’s early performing venues in Harlem recently, it was with great enthusiasm and reverence for her talent that I attended Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at the Space Theatre.

Julius Caesar

By William Shakespeare. Produced by Melbourne Shakespeare Company. Directed by Richard Murphet. fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. 24 August - 3 September 2023.

This is a play replete with intriguing and complex political subterfuge and this has been effectively brought to life by this vibrant Melbourne Shakespeare Company production. The casting of this show is well considered and contributes to the overall clarity it brings to the dramatic events and the compelling psychological study that the text offers. All the performances, both large and small, prioritise the emotional turmoil of each of the characters and give great insight into the personal and political ambitions that drive their actions.

SARAH Quand Même

Written and performed by Susie Lindeman. Directed by Wayne Harrison. Meraki Arts Mainstage, Darlinghurst. August 29 - September 2, 2023.

A little gem of a production is tucked away upstairs in a cosy theatre on Oxford Street, but alas just for a few days.

The audience waits in the sumptuously upholstered green room wine bar, then enters the small black box theatre for an audience with actress Sarah Bernhardt.

A lush French couch, dressing room table with lights and an elegant screen are the bones of the set which Susie Lindeman floats around like a butterfly in the one act monologue.

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