By Isabella Reid. Legit Theatre Company. Director: Mathew Lee. KXT on Broadway. 3 -18 May, 2024.
Image: Lib Campbell, Rachel Seeto, Lincoln Elliott, Teale Howie, Annie Stafford, Clay Crighton, Linda Nicholls-Gidley, Paul Grabovac, Mark Langham, Michael Yore. Photographer: Clare Hawley
By Debra Oswald. Melville Theatre Company. Directed by Vanessa Jensen. Melville Civic Centre, Booragoon, WA. May 10-25, 2024
Melville Theatre’s first full length play in their new (or depending on your interpretation - old) home, at the Melville Civic Centre, might be taken as a good omen for a “sweet road” ahead for Melville Theatre Company. A very successful production, expertly directed, and very well performed, it augers well for a bright future.
Written by Debra Oswald. Directed by Phil Carney. New Farm Nash Theatre, Brisbane. May 10 – June 1, 2024.
Australian writer Debra Oswald’s play is centred on Leo, a famous artist, who has been ravaged by years and years of alcohol abuse, coupled with self-loathing and indulgent misbehaviour. He desperately needs round-the-clock care and this is to be provided by Therese, who is fresh out of prison and untrained for the task. We follow the changes and effects this has on both of them while one of his daughters attempts to control the situation, while carrying a lot of anger herself at the life Leo created for her.
By Matilda Gibbs with Belle Hansen & Jack Burmeister. Frenzy Theatre Company. La Mama Courthouse. 8 – 19 May 2024
‘The roof caved in’ – as in, “everything was fine and then the roof caved in.’ That doesn’t happen immediately in this show. It’s a process - but we are certainly expecting it from the very start when ill-matched students Hester (Marlena Thomson) and Bronwyn (Bek Schilling) move into a very small – with two trundle beds - flat together - after a ‘welcome’ spiel from the glittering eyed but robotic estate agent (Joanna Halliday) and the signing of the 78 + page contract.
By Martin McDonagh. Lane Cove Theatre Company. The Performance Space @ St Aidan's, 1 Christina Street, Longueville. 10-26 May 2024.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh is a dark and comedic tale that takes the audience on a twisted journey through Ireland's chaotic and violent world in the ‘90s. This production, directed by Kathryn Thomas and Mitch Garling, brings this world with its complex characters and intense stories as a perfect balance of humo¯ur and brutality.
Book & Lyrics: Lee Hall. Music: Elton John. Co-Directors: Lynette White & Chris White. Musical Director: David Clausen-Wisken. Choreographer: Lynette White. CLOC Musical Theatre. The National Theatre, Melbourne. May 10 - 25, 2024.
Billy Elliot The Musical danced up a storm in 2005, winning the Best Musical (and a slew of other categories) of Tony, Drama Desk, Olivier and Helpmann Awards.
Book by Alfred Uhry. Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Co-conceived and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince. Soundworks Productions. Directed by Mark Taylor. Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre. May 9 – 25, 2024
Based on a notorious miscarriage of justice motivated by prejudice, Parade is a gripping piece of musical drama which is presented by the Melbourne based Soundworks in an outstanding production.
Importing cast and creatives substantially from inter-state with a full ensemble and orchestra is extremely ambitious, and the reward for Sydney audiences is they can enjoy a very well settled performance from a strong cast and team of creatives.
Directed by Nigel Turner-Caroll. The Star Theatre, Gold Coast. May11th, 2024
After more than a decade of writing about The Tap Pack – from their first performance at Chapel off Chapel in Melbourne – I am finally running out of superlatives for this fabulous throwback to another era of showbusiness, one which most of the audience have never seen live before.
Music and lyrics by Justin Paul and Ben Pasek. Book by Peter Duchan. Spotlight Theatrical Company. Directed by Josh McCann-Thomson. Clem Halpin Theatre Gold Coast. May 10 - June 1, 2024
In order to survive, community theatres must continuously stage productions which appeal to the largest possible demographic. Spotlight Theatre is no different to anyone else in this regard, as witnessed by the phenomenal success of their first production of the year The Sound of Music, which had a sold-out season plus extra performances.
By Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott. Stray Cats Theatre Company. Directed by Karen Francis. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA. May 9-12, 2024
Priscilla Queen of the Desert presented by Stray Cats Theatre Company bussed into Mandurah Performing Arts Centre for a very short season. A bold, bright production with bucketloads of sparkle, it was clearly a success with its audiences.
