Reviews

POTUS - or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive

By Selina Fillinger. Lightning Jar Theatre in association with fortyfivedowstairs. fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne CBD. 13 February – 2 March 2025

This satiric black-as-black and very funny farce could scarcely be more timely.  But the producers, Hannah Greenwood and Tilly Legge, say that’s fortuitous.  They were already in rehearsal before the 2024 US election and ‘No matter what administration is in charge,’ they say, ‘idiocy is bipartisan.’  Be that as it may, they’ve found no reason to amend the script, and no one is going to watch POTUS without thinking of the dangerous circus occurring right now in the real White House.

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

By Richard Wagner. Presented by Melbourne Opera, directed by Suzanne Chaundy, conducted by Anthony Negus. Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Melbourne. 16 – 22 February 2025.

Melbourne Opera is demonstrating, yet again, the ability to deliver excellent opera. This is a truly great event on a grand scale. Staging Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Royal Exhibition Building is a bold and brave choice which pays off immensely in this colourful and energetic production.

The Children’s Hour

By Lillian Hellman. Presented by Dead Fly Productions and Tiny Dog Productions. Directed by Kim Hardwick. The Old Fitz Theatre, Sydney. February 14 – March 1, 2025

The Old Fitz is not the underground theatre you usually go to for high quality productions of 90-year-old, carefully constructed Broadway plays presented uncut. Yet here is Lillian Hellman’s 1934 major theatrical work presented as part of the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival – with a large and excellent cast probing deep into the text under the assured guidance of director Kim Hardwick.

Cruise

By Jack Holden. Fruit Box Theatre in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre. Director Sean Landis. KXT on Broadway. 15 -22 Feb, 2025

In the wake of Covid 19 there is a tendency to forget the AIDS pandemic in which so many died the 1980s. Jack Holden’s play Cruise jolts that memory in a way that is heartbreakingly clear as well creatively theatrical. Director Sean Landis describes it as “a time capsule and a reminder of how much the queer community has gone through” and a tribute to “those who fought for the rights and safety we have today”.

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense

By Robert and David Goodale. Presented by Heidelberg Theatre Company, 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna, Melbourne. Directed by Morgan Thomas-Connor. 14 February – 1 March 2025.

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is a play inspired by the works of P.G. Wodehouse and brings some of his iconic characters to life. As the title suggests, the play offers a great deal of facetious fun. Its structure is of particular interest as part of the humour is the way it draws attention to theatrical devices. Set in the 1930s the play within a play is narrated by Bertie Wooster (Daniel Trenkovski), who is assisted by the butlers, Jeeves (Sam Howard) and Seppings (Gavin Baker).

The Best Kept Secret

By Katharina Brieden. Cherry Soda Co / FringeWorld. Directed by Katharina Brieden. The Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Jan 28- Feb 2, 2025

This cabaret inspired blend of conventional theatre and burlesque sees five women unravelling life, love, and sisterhood through conversation and dance. Presented by Cherry Soda Co., it aims to show that strength and sensuality and co-exist beautifully.

An Evening with Joseph Keckler

Written, Devised and Performed by Joseph Keckler. Opera Queensland’s Studio Series Presented by Kawai. Opera Queensland Studio, 14 – 15 February, 2025

Absolutely smashing audience’s expectations of what defines operatic entertainment comes part man, part crow, Joseph Keckler. All dressed in black, this pale troubadour owns the Studio Series performance space from the moment he enters. He’s focussed and poised for an evening unlike any other that’s been seen or heard by Opera Queensland audiences before now.

What to Expect When You Are No Longer Expecting

By Roe Rowe. Fringe World. Directed by Vanessa Jensen. The Middar Room, State Theatre Centre of WA. Feb 1-2, 2025

This biographical show, named for the ubiquitous pregnancy guide What to Expect When You Are Expecting, was perhaps the most touching and moving play at Fringe World. Dedicated to the one in four pregnancies that end in loss, this is one couple’s experience of pregnancy and loss, delivered with passion and great feeling.

Hadestown

Music, Lyrics and Book by Anaïs Mitchell. Opera Australia and Jones Theatrical Group. Theatre Royal, Sydney. Opening Night: February 14, 2025. Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne from May 8.

The big juicy soundscape that is Hadestown wondrously filled the Theatre Royal with the musicians on stage getting the attention they deserve.  A highlight were the cracking, sometimes dirty solos, of trombonist James Greening.

The score, a mixture of folk, blues, jazz and rock, was expertly performed by this stellar band and cast.

Macbeth

By William Shakespeare. Presented by Lakespeare and The Q. Directed by Jordan Best. The Q Feb 12-19, 2025, then: Lake Tuggeranong Feb 21; Patrick White Lawns Feb 22; Arts Hub, Kingston Feb 27-28; Haig Park Mar 1; Lake George Winery Mar 2

As the audience finds a patch of lawn to sit on, the three witches skulk about looking like Tiktok goth girls showing off their wedding dress dyeing skills. In fact all the costumes look like they come from a school play, which makes it all the more magical when the dialogue begins. Suddenly, the witches movement and voices become mesmerizing and you are transported to the world of the play.

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