Reviews

Two smitten lovers, one Aboriginal, the other Maori, try hard to unite their families, their cultures, behind their engagement.  

Back home in the Maori community or atop a towering Melbourne housing estate, Kane and Hera’s efforts to assimilate produces some hilarious disasters in cultural protocol.  But somehow the wedding is booked – despite possessive Mums running indigenous guilt trips, fierce racisms across the ditch, errant males and some toxic family baggage.

The setting of Geoffrey Atherden’s new play is the back room of a museum, a storage unit with many itemised boxes and a large, rolling ladder. It’s a brilliant vision for the play from Set Designer Richard Roberts, and director Wesley Enoch makes great use of the space. Enoch is also the Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival, which opened the day before, so cheers and congratulations to him. He looks pretty fit.

Another outstanding summer show from an onstage cast of almost 60 performers aged between 13 and 20.  The popularity of this 35 year old company has ensured a sold out season even before curtain up on opening night. (No mean feat selling over 3,500 tickets!)

What struck me from the outset was the precision of the 10 piece band under the skilful direction of Nikki Nuske. Each musician, including four keyboardists (this is ABBA music after all) was on the mark.’

Learning about biology has never been as fun as Dr Xand and Dr Chris make it for audiences attending Operation Ouch! Live on Stage. The dynamic duo is here all the way from the UK to tour Australia, teaching enthusiastic fans of their popular TV show all about the human body. Their energetic and engaging style is packed full of the kind of gross-out humour kids just love, while also serving to teach, demystify and encourage.