Reviews

Jumping the Shark Fantastic is an effort to discover what would constitute the best theatre ever.  An hour long presentation of ALL of the best ideas.

The story opens with the smooth and self-loving lothario Lawrence Jameson (played excellently by Frog Johnson) conning the rich and wonderful women of the French Riviera out of their jewels and cash quite happily, until the young and somewhat enthusiastic try-hard Freddy Benson (Trent Richards) arrives to try his luck. Into the mix is added Phillip Fitzjohn as Jameson's sidekick Andre Thibault and Danika Saal as Christine Colgate, the eventual main target for the two prime protagonists.

Did the Digger abandon his post or was he dismissed because of his sexual orientation? Was the Australian army in Gallipoli, or were the soldiers in a different conflict? It was not quite clear but irrelevant; whatever the reason for leaving and wherever it was set, Sad Digger Mad Mary highlights the all too often recurring theme of hypocrisy and non-acceptance of diversity, especially accentuated in extreme circumstances such as the military.

For those in the small-to-medium sector who survived George Brandis – and kept their sense of humour – there are big laughs in A Strategic Plan. 

In from the cold, rock muso Andrew (Justin Smith) is now the dedicated CEO of a music studio for teenagers, Staccato; he’s has just finished an ambitious Australia Council application. But Staccato’s sleazebag chairman Simon (Matt Day) recruits HR monster Linda (Briallen Clarke) to help roll Andrew as a failure in strategic planning.