Reviews

Jesus Christ Superstar

Lyrics by Tim Rice. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Regent’s Park Open Air Production. John Frost and Ian David for Crossroads Live. Capitol Theatre Sydney. Opening Night: November 14, 2024

Michael Paynter, in his professional musical theatre debut, almost blew the lid off the Capitol Theatre with his soaring high tenor rendition of the aria ‘Gethsemane’.

With spotlights circling the heavens, beaten and whipped, facing imminent crucifixion, he scaled notes with such clarity and passion that he scored an unheard of two mid-performance standing ovations. The rock singer has not been in a musical since he was in high school – what a debut!

The Wharf Revue – The End of the Wharf As We Know It.

By Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Philip Scott. The Seymour Centre. 11 Nov – 23 Dec, 2024

What shall we do without The Wharf Revue? ‘Tis hard to accept that this will be the last! For over 25 years Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe, Phil Scott (and his piano) have brilliantly lampooned politics and politicians from here and overseas. They’ve done it in song, in dance, in verse and on screen. Even in telling contemplations that played poignantly above the satire.  

Eurovision on Tour

Presented by Eurodrama Entertainment, SL. 13th of November, 2024 at The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane; 15th of November at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne; 17th of November at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney.

Top mage: The full line up of performers standing on stage.

Drizzle Boy

By Ryan Enniss. Queensland Theatre, directed by Daniel Evans. The Playhouse, Canberra, 13–16 November 2024, and touring.

 

Milo’s Wake

By Margery and Michael Forde. Richmond Players. Richmond School of Arts, NSW. Nov 9 – 30, 2024.

Conceived from the intriguing premise of a man hosting his own wake, Richmond Players’ production of Milo’s Wake unravels into a vivid exploration of the Irish migrant experience with deep roots in personal narratives.

Milo (Sean Duff), who has spent many years in Australia, has chosen to celebrate his life in a rather unconventional manner. Although, initially, I perceived this as an impressive platform for the actor playing Milo, and it is, each character plays a significant role exploring themes of legacy, family dynamics, and personal growth.

The guy who didn’t like musicals

By Jeff Blim and Matt and Nick Lang (Starkid Productions). Isabella Rose Stage Company – Big Jobs Productions. Elise Bagorski (Direction). Sophie Henderson (Choreography). Gabby Cousins (Vocal Direction). Sheng (Musical Direction) The Hidden Theatre, Hobart. 6th- 9th November 2024

How often does a debut director have a sell-out season before the show even opens? This has been achieved by Elise Bagorski, who assembled the right people in the right venue in the right show.

The Seed

By Kate Mulvany. Black Swan. Directed by Matt Edgerton. Subiaco Arts Centre. Nov 2-17, 2024

Kate Mulvany’s The Seed is not locally written but has extensive ties to Western Australia. This bitter-sweet examination of family, heritage and inter-generational trauma has been re-written for Black Swan’s 2024 Season.

Endgame

By Samuel Beckett. Presented by Three River Theatre. Directed by Amelia Pond. Earl Arts Centre, Launceston. Nov 13-16, 2024

“Life, is suffering.” So say Buddha and philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, for starters. This universal truth works well as a three-word synopsis for Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. 

Aurora

Australian String Quartet. Adelaide Town Hall, King William St Adelaide. Nov 12, 2024

Australia is extremely fortunate to have a string quartet of the calibre of The Australian String Quartet. With its 40th anniversary looming next year, they have amassed an astounding body of work including 80 Australian premiere compositions.

Comprised of Dale Barltrop (violin), Francesca Hiew (violin), Chris Cartlidge (viola) and guest cellist Charlotte Miles, this unique combination of performers share a special bond that brings classical and modern string quartet compositions to Australian audiences in their latest concert entitled Aurora.

The Odd Couple (Female Version)

By Neil Simon. The Guild Theatre, Rockdale. Director: Lyn Lee. November 8 to December 1, 2024

Neil Simon’s original odd couple - mismatched flat-mates Felix and Oscar, along with their poker playing pals - are very familiar, thanks to the hit play, and the subsequent film and TV series (just revived locally this year). Their female counterparts Olive and Florence, and their Trivial Pursuit circle, not so much, yet Simon’s gender-flipped adaptation of his own play is very different, and possibly more poignant.

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