By Evan Lawson. Choreography by Ashley Dougan and costume design by Jane Noonan. Presented by Forest Collective. Midsumma Festival. Sacred Heart Oratory Abbotsford Convent. 31 January — 3 February, 2019.
The reworking and reinterpretation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has resulted in many variations. The tragic story draws them into the sphere of the underworld of Hades and places them at the hands of the ruthless Calaïs who becomes besotted with the young couple. In this version Lawson explores the more neglected elements of the myth that suggest the presence of same-sex desire between the two male figures. This gives a different emphasis to how Eurydice is trapped in a love triangle that sees her suffer in unspeakable ways.
Motus. Midsumma. Arts House in North Melbourne. Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2019
MDLSX is a featured show, billed under the umbrella of ‘Body’ at this year’s Midsumma program, currently on at the Arts House in North Melbourne. This extraordinary show gives audiences a rare opportunity to be part of a profoundly experimental and cinematic solo theatre performance.
By Elizabeth Coleman. Gold Coast Little Theatre, Southport. Director: Amy-Louise Anderson. Feb 2nd – 23rd, 2019
Well! The cat is out of the bag! GCLT’s first show of the year is all about what women want and how they justify the means to that end! Elizabeth Coleman hilariously reveals the psyche of the female of the species and Amy-Louise Armstrong has undertaken to share it with us in a bright, frothy production.
Improv Attacks Humanity is an improvised show based on the popular card game ‘Cards Against Humanity’. In the first section of the show, the audience use the cards to make 4 premises. These are then improvised by the cast. As the show progresses, the four scenarios are brought together, so that they overlap, influence and combine.
Performed by 3 Shades Black and compered by artistic director Miranda Hill. Midsumma Festival. La Mama Courthouse 349 Drummond St, Carlton. 31 January – 2 February 2019
Homophonic! is in its 8th year and is dedicated to performing new classical music by queer composers. This is a spectacular event that is determined to celebrate the vibrant and often titillating talent of queer composers and to draw attention to their presence in our culture. Hill is exceptional at highlighting this tradition and narrates the stories related to the compositions in ways that are as intriguing as they are entertaining. Her ability to convey the collaborative energy of this ensemble creates a seamless cohesion in the performance.
Highwire. Midsumma Festival. Melba Spiegeltent, Collingwood. Jan 30 – Feb 3, 2019.
Rebel is more than just a fantastic David Bowie tribute show - it traverses boundaries and fuses circus and cabaret performances with fuzzy rock n’ roll energetic style.
Melba Spiegeltent boasts a friendly casual atmosphere where you can meet up for drinks, soak in the ambience and enjoy the show. Rebel is a Midsumma event that offers a fully rounded, packed show for all ages.
Fringe World. Directed by Nicole Stinton. De Parel Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Gardens, Russell Square, Northbridge, WA. 29 Jan - 3 Feb, 2019
DivaLicious - Defying Gravity is the very funny, very clever, latest offering from the dynamite soprano duo - DivaLicious. A wry look at growing older gracefully (or disgracefully for that matter) and defying gravity, this hour long show had the audience giggling throughout, while remaining an absolutely stunning vocal performance.
Collected, collated and edited by Laura Bridgeman. Directed by Julie McNamara. Hot Pencil Press, Vital Xposure & Theatre Works. Theatre Works, Acland Street, St Kilda VIC. 29 January to 3 February 2018
Playing to a packed house of gender diverse folks at Theatre Works, five performers tells tales of – as the press release has it – butch beginnings, desire, desirability, bravado, vulnerability, butch-on-femme sex and butch-on-butch sex..
Adapted by William Zappa. Sydney Festival. Belvoir Street Theatre. January 23 – 27, 2019
Celebrated Greek Australian actor William Zappa has been fashioning this nine hour marathon storytelling event for years.
He’s ploughed through multiple translations of Homer’s ancient epic poem about the Trojan War, the oldest surviving work of Western literature, and delivers it in three three-hour parts with just four actors.
By Zachary Sheridan. Fringe World. Directed by Phoebe Sullivan. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. 22-26 January, 2019
Graceis a new work from the team who presented last year’s award winning production, The Cockburn Incident. More absurdist than its older sister, but just as quirky, Grace deals with some very heavy issues including hoarding, mental health and the destruction of the environment, but remains funny despite its poignancy.
