Reviews

This is a competent, often engaging production of Chekhov’s famous 1904 classic about people lost in social transition.  Today we arguably face even more upheavals but, despite Jonathan Hindmarsh’s modern costuming, such a contemporary take on Chekhov is not explored here. 

They Saw a Thylacine premiered in 2013 at the Melbourne Fringe Festival (winning the Tour Ready and Best Performance awards and many others), and last year had a season at the Malthouse Theatre. Most critics raved, and with good reason; it’s so superbly crafted. Central to success of the production is the tone of the main characters (and one or two notable minor ones). Justine Campbell and Sarah Hamilton each wrote their own parts, creating and performing distinct and different voices.

When a theatre company that calls a small tin shed home says they are going to be performing a musical like Next to Normal, you wonder what secrets they have hidden up their sleeves. Phoenix Ensemble definitely pulled out some of their best work to make this production happen.

The themes of the show, especially mental illness, aren't often discussed on the musical theatre stage, so all credit to director David Harrison for proposing the show and making it so accessible.

One thing that can always be assured, Empire Theatre’s annual musical will be put together with a high degree of professionalism and this year’s production of Legally Blonde was no exception. From the original design work of Grant Lehmann, the assured direction of Morgan Dowsett, to the top notch cast who worked their butts off, the show about sorority sweetheart Elle Woods and her rise to glory at Harvard Law was musical theatre at the top of the community level scale.