Riverside Theatre, Parramatta and online. October 6, 2020
Can you still do the splits when you are well into your 40s? If you are Chloe Dallimore the answer is yes I can. Just months after retiring as MEAA president, the long legged blonde sent out a message to the industry that if you still have got it…. flaunt it! Not only was she effortlessly down to 180 degrees on the floor, but she lifted her peg up to an eye wateringly steep angle, and did an effortless somersault to boot.
By Sam Holcroft. Sydney Theatre Company. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. Nov 2 – Dec 19, 2020.
Tinselled up for the silly season, the STC returns from COVID darkness with that old sit com trope of a dysfunctional family reuniting on Christmas Day, and then tearing each other apart. But British writer Sam Holcroft adds an inventive touch of reality TV by flashing on screens each of the characters’ hidden idiosyncrasies.
By Mart Crowley. GRADS - Graduate Dramatic Society. Directed by Barry Park. Dolphin Theatre, UWA, Nedlands WA. Nov 4-14, 2020
The Boys in the Band, first performed in 1968, was a ground-breaking play in its day, being one of the first plays to deal with gay themes - depicting homosexual friendships and anxieties. Recently revived on Broadway, and released as a movie last month on Netflix, this Graduate Dramatic Society production is the first in Perth since 1970.
Music: Stuart Brayson. Lyrics: Tim Rice. Book: Bill Oakes. Director. Tamara Harvey. Choreographer: Javier De Frutos. Musical Director: Tom Deering. The Shows Must Go On. Live Streaming 6-8 November 2020
Tim Rice gets top-billing in this musical version of James Jones’ classic best-selling novel about GIs in Hawaii before and during the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941. His lyrics are solidly professional and the best thing about this adaptation, which was filmed live at the Shaftsbury Theatre, London, in September 2013.
By Kieran Hurley. Queensland Theatre. Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 30 October - 14 November, 2020
An emotional Director, Lee Lewis took to the stage on opening night to thank the audience for attending her first production at QPAC, and Queensland Theatre’s (QT’s) return to live theatre after 8 months of lockdown.
By William Shakespeare. Streamed Shakespeare. Oct 16 – 18, 2020 and streaming on demand.
The people behind Streamed Shakespeare are certainly honing their production skills. This performance of Richard III, as well as being excellently acted and directed, is cleverly edited. That is not an easy feat when swords, notes, a ring, a decapitated head – and even a spit – are passed from screen to screen.
By Queen and Ben Elton. Platinum Entertainment. Directed by Trevor Patient. Crown Theatre, Perth WA. Oct 30 - Nov 22, 2020
In the absence of big touring productions, local company Platinum Entertainment has brought We Will Rock You to the Crown Theatre, with a show that feels like a national tour. Complete with merchandise, high quality production values, a high quality show and a big name star, this is has all the bells and whistles of a show imported from interstate.
By Oscar Wilde. The Adelaide Repertory Theatre. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. Playing for a month from 31st October, 2020 on You Tube
The Adelaide Repertory Theatre presents its fourth and last virtual play, A Woman of No Importance. Their next play The Rivals will be presented live at the Arts Theatre Adelaide for three nights with a Covid-reduced audience.
I applaud their resilience and determination to keep theatre alive during this difficult time and wish them all the best for future ‘live’ performances.
Topology at the Princess Theatre, Brisbane. 30 October 2020 (then touring regional Queensland)
Topology’s We Will Rise tour marks the launch of the Brisbane-based, Aria-nominated classical music quintet’s 16th album – a greatest hits collection that showcases the quintet’s two decades of original material. The performance features a back catalogue plus new pieces pick ‘n’ mix of compositions by John Babbage (saxophone), Robert Davidson (bass), and Bernard Hoey (viola), highlighting the talents of other principal artists, Christa Powell (violin) and Therese Milanovic (piano).
