Reviews

My Life In Boxes

By Tarah Carey. Directed by Maude Davey. The Big Top, The Pleasure Garden, Fringe World, Northbridge, WA. February 14-21, 2016

My Life in Boxes, beautifully written by Tarah Carey, starts as an intimate drama. Immediately captivating, your mind is unlikely to wander from what you are watching, but if you have chosen this Fringe World show at random, you might wonder why this beautifully developing love story is being presented in the circus venue, The Big Top.

The Umbrella Plays

By Cerise De Gelder. Directed by Kelly Mildenhall. Adelaide Fringe / Wanderlust. The Bakehouse Theatre, Adelaide. February 16-27, 2016

The Umbrella Plays see a small ensemble of nine impressively versatile actors – Adam Tuomien, James Sherwin, Matt Houston, Rosie Williams, Timisha Ward, David Salter, Joshua Colwell, Maxim Bevan and Tamara Bennetts - play multiple characters in a series of ten loosely connected comedic skits, each of which is focused upon an absurd argument or social misunderstanding, with umbrellas featuring in all of them somehow.

The Boys

By Gordon Graham. Nice Productions. Gasworks, 90 Graham Street, Albert Park. 10 – 20 February, 2016

This extraordinarily perceptive text by Gordon Graham is being thoroughly honored by Nice Productions’ exemplary staging in the comfortable Studio Theatre at Gas Works.

As a rare and illuminating opportunity, to see what Stephen Sewell based his remarkable screenplay for the powerful and haunting (1998) film The Boys, on, it is not to be missed.    

All My Love

By Anne Brooksbank. Christine Harris and HIT Productions. Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, February 17 – 20, 2016, and touring.

This carefully – and lovingly – researched play is story telling at its most gentle and revealing. Through the words and lives of two of Australia’s most revered literary icons, Dame Mary Gilmore and Henry Lawson – played by Kim Denman and Dion Mills – playwright Anne Brooksbank reveals not only the story of an enduring love, but a rich insight into the social and political history of the time.

Fuego Carnal

Adelaide Fringe. Gluttony – Empyrean. 12th February – 14th March, 2016

Our ringmaster cracks her whip quite literally gaining the attention of a good sized crowd. Her flirtatious manner is a hint of what is to come in this imaginative fiesta of feats.

Award winning ‘Dream State Circus’ are responsible for this heart racing display of strength, skill and sauciness. A cast of 6 performers create a Spanish vibe as they flirt with the audience whilst performing dangerous stunts.

This Storm

Written and directed by Ben Brooker. The Cusack Theatre. Adelaide Fringe. Tuxedo Cat. 12-16 February 2016.

Three short plays; three miniature, rough-hewn gems; three frightening perspectives on what the future in Australia may hold…The Cusack Theatre probably makes any piece of drama it showcases into a work of intensity, but This Storm is a superlatively-crafted piece of writing, under any circumstances, and its staging is enhanced by stunning performances, effectively spartan design, and an outstanding soundtrack.

The Last Time I Saw Richard

By Cat Commander. Adelaide Fringe 2016. Bakehouse Theatre. February 15-27, 2016

One of only eight events to secure a grant through the Adelaide Fringe’s Cultural Fund for this year’s Fringe, the South Australian Premiere of The Last Time I Saw Richard is about people who drift in life. The often hilarious and sometimes poignant work reflects on personal isolation, unfulfilled ambition and the self-perpetuating mistakes we all make.

ABBA Gold

Presented by The Flaming Sambucas. The German Club, Adelaide, February 14, 2016. Goolwa Centenary Hall Theatre, Goolwa, February 20, 2016

Adelaide band, The Flaming Sambucas, deliver a spirited tribute to Sweden’s Fab-Four with ABBA Gold. Michelle Gorgula & Jodie Dry replicate the tight harmonies of Frida and Agnetha with impeccable precision, whilst Terry Nicholas (keyboards) and Michael Potter (guitars) energetically dish out the irrepressible rhythmic hooks that were Bjorn & Benny’s trademark. At times, the quality of impersonation is so eerie that if you were to close your eyes during the performance, you’d be hard pressed to distinguish this from the real thing.

Voyage to the Moon

Victorian Opera and Musica Viva. Director: Michael Gow. Musical Director: Phoebe Briggs. Melbourne Recital Centre, February 15 – 19, 2016, then touring to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

In the Baroque era copyright was unheard of, and it was common for composers to recycle arias from one opera to another, or borrow one from another composer if they ran out of time. So it was Victorian Opera and Musica Viva came together to create a new Baroque opera, based on an epic poem of the time, and using music borrowed from the same period.

The three male roles were taken by a soprano, mezzo and bass-baritone, with the soprano also becoming the Guardian of the Moon, a female character similar to the Queen of the Night.

The Wedding Singer

Music: Matthew Sklar. Lyrics: Chad Beguelin. Book: Chad Beguelin & Tim Herlihy. Phoenix Ensemble. Director: Alicia Caruana. Musical Direction: Faron Swingler. Choreography: Nicola Crawford. Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh. 5-27 February 2016

The Wedding Singer is a fun show and Phoenix Ensemble’s production of it was fun from start to finish. An affectionate send-up of the eighties, it’s a clever adaptation of the movie on which it is based about a cheesy entertainer who finally gets his waitress. The satire was sharp, the characters instantly recognisable, and the music consistently rocked thanks to some smart musical direction by Faron Swingler and a seven-piece group. It’s Alicia Caruana’s directorial debut and she proved with this outing she was born to sit in the pivotal chair.

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