Reviews

People trapped by deep snow in a country manor; phone lines and car fuel lines cut; one dead patriarch; so many classic Agatha Christie tropes are crammed into this show.  8 Women (originally Huit Femmes) by French actor and director Robert Thomas is a satirical take on the classic English whodunnit. It has been broadcast on French television twice and adapted into three movies, but only translated into English a smattering of times. The play makes fun of the 50s whodunnit genre, incorporating farce and slyly referencing class and sexual politics.

Samuel Adamson’s Wife is an artful, intriguing voyage through generations of gay and straight relationships, with a focus on controlling partners. It’s inspired by Ibsen’s heroine Nora as she finally slams the door on her husband and leaves A Doll’s House.

The “big production” in WA’s accidental little Ben Elton festival (it ran concurrently with Arena’s production of Ben Elton’s Silly Cow), We Will Rock You had its audience rapt, as they laughed heartily, clapped, stamped their feet and sang along.

This futuristic Queen musical that doesn’t take itself very seriously, was performed with both excellence and a nod and a wink, as this huge cast wowed its audience.

It's uncommon for the subjects of a biographical musical to be living and actively participate in its production. However, Tina Turner and her second husband, Erwin Bach, served as Executive Producers for the original production of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which opened to widespread acclaim in April 2018. Sadly Ms Turner passed away (aged 83) just as the Sydney production was opening in May 2023. Ticket sales for the show in Australia have been extraordinary, and worldwide, it has attracted millions of theatregoers and devoted fans of Ms Turner.