Reviews

The Orchid and the Crow

By Daniel Tobias. Holden St Theatres. Adelaide Fringe. 29th Feb – 13th March, 2016

What do you do when you go through the harrowing realisation that you have testicular cancer? You survive and then tell the whole world about it in the form of a cabaret/musical theatre performance. Daniel Tobias was only 29 when he had to come to terms with his own mortality. As he came to the end of his chemotherapy, a nurse handed him a book about Lance Armstrong’s journey through the same illness. He was able to find strength through his reading and came out the other side a survivor.

The James Plays

Written by Rona Munro. Adelaide Festival of Arts. Directed by Laurie Sansom. Festival Centre, Adelaide. February 26-March 1, 2016

Three generations of Scotland’s Stewart Monarchy are covered in this ambitious trilogy of historical plays – each of which combine cutthroat political intrigue, heated romantic tension and irreverent comic flourishes with thrilling visual spectacle and stirring musical accompaniment. Each instalment can stand alone as a powerful, provocative work, but taken as a whole, The James Plays are an epic for the ages and amongst the finest theatrical achievements of the 21st century thus far.

The Secret River

By Kate Grenville adapted for the stage by Andrew Bovell. QTC presents a STC production. Director: Neil Armfield. Playhouse, QPAC, 25 Feb – 5 Mar 2016

The Sydney Theatre Company’s highly praised production of Andrew Bovill’s The Secret River more than lived up to its advance hype and expectation. It was epic and powerful theatre. Not since the same author’s When the Rain Stops Falling have I been so moved by an Australian drama, and Neil Armfield’s direction of it was flawless. Originally seen in 2013, this new production has allowed the creatives to take a second look at the material and the result was searingly memorable.

The Young King

By Nicki Bloom. Presented by Slingsby. Adelaide Festival of the Arts. 27th February – March 19th, 2016

The King, near the end of his life, summons the biological heir to his throne to the court. Many years before, the young man was kidnapped from his mother, the King’s daughter, after he banished her for marrying a poor woodland man. Eager to be of service, he adapts to the finery that the Kingdom and his soon to be new title will allow him.

Oh God! Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me

Adelaide Fringe. Barzaar Bar, Bistro and Gaming. February 13 – March 11, 2016.

Adelaide singer Dave Freeman brings Neil Diamond to life in his tribute to the American icon. You can feel the anticipation from the crowd as he begins his first song and then a sigh as you realise that Freeman does indeed sound like the singer/songwriter that many have grown up with. He captures that raw sincerity and that undeniable inflection that Diamond has. I turned away many times to realise this would be as close as I would ever get to seeing the original live.

 

The Events

By David Greig. Adelaide Festival of Arts. State Theatre Company of South Australia, Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre. Her Majesty’s Theatre. February 25 – March 2, 2016

The human brain continually seeks to rationalise life events, good and bad, but how does one fathom the unfathomable?  Is it possible for victims of violent atrocity to ever come to terms with what has happened and why?

Written by Scottish playwright David Greig following the horrific 2011 mass slayings in Norway, The Events is co-produced at the Adelaide Festival by the State Theatre Company of South Australia, together with Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre.

Carly and Troy do ‘A Doll’s House’

An adaption of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. La Mama Theatre. Directed by Emma McManus. Dramaturgy by Declan Greene. Developed with support from PACT Centre for Emerging Artists. February 24 – March 6, 2016

This adaption keeps the spirit of the original and exposes the controlling underbelly of a relationship that was always there lurking in the text, hidden in manners and frippery. The two actors share their artistic plans and it is clear from the start that Beyonce, glitter and dancing are high priorities for Troy and not so much for Carly.

Papillon

Adelaide Fringe. Gluttony – The Octagon. February 23 - March 6, 2016.

This show had a lot of hype to live up to and I am happy to say that it exceeded all expectations. A distinctive vaudeville vibe was created by a house-band, rich costumes and an eclectic lighting display. What sets this show apart from many in the same genre is the pair of hosts who know how to work a crowd. Full of naughty but nice banter, this duo had chemistry and were the glue that held the performance together.

Chopin’s Last Tour

Presented by Anvil Creek Theatre. Adelaide Fringe. The German Club, Adelaide. February 26 - March 5, 2016

Accomplished actor/pianist Phil Aughey delivers an impressive performance on two fronts with Chopin’s Last Tour – performing six of the great man’s most iconic compositions with impeccable precision, and in between, regaling the audience with impassioned dramatic monologues “in character” as Chopin himself.

All My Love

By Anne Brooksbank. Christine Harris and HIT Productions. Director: Denny Lawrence. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 24 – 27 February 2016 and touring

Henry Lawson and Mary Gilmore’s life-long love was an epic tragedy of desires thwarted by social expectation and circumstance. Writer Anne Brooksbank came across this beautiful story while researching Gilmore’s memoirs and has done a creditable job reproducing these characters on stage.

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