Reviews

Master Class

By Terrence McNally. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Liesel Badorrek. 14 June – 20 July, 2024

The Ensemble Theatre is certainly ‘on a roll’. First night audiences have been leaping to their feet right, left and centre. The last few productions have indeed featured some exceptional acting and, though Master Class may not hit the heights as a play, it has plenty of great theatrical moments played to the absolute hilt by Lucia Mastrantone as Greek opera singer Maria Callas.

Eurovisionary

By Joe Louis Robinson, Perth International Cabaret Festival. His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, WA. Jun 16, 2024

Joe Louis Robinson performed Eurovisionary, a love letter of sorts to Eurovision, to a packed house as part of the Perth International Cabaret Festival. The audience, a mix of Eurovision Super Fans, and some who’d never seen a Eurovision Final, were enthralled throughout, with this talented, relaxed and very comfortable performer.

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

Book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti. Directed by Alister Smith. Produced by David Venn Enterprises. HOTA, Gold Coast from June 14 to July 7, 2024, then Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne from July 27.

Put another nickel in the jukebox and let’s groove to the cool - and hot - vibe of the mid 20th Century, chicks and dudes.

It’s hard to believe that Elvis Presley was born nearly 90 years ago and most of the audience at this juke box musical only know of him through their parents or Youtube archives.

Nevertheless, Elvis was an icon who shaped the music world of yesteryear and this jukebox musical packs more of a punch than most.

The Music of John Williams

Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Conducted by Nicholas Buc. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, NSW. Thursday 13 June to Sunday 16 June, 2024

With a list of creations such as the music of Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and many other world-renowned works, there is no question that John Williams is an icon of a composer. Therefore, there is no doubt that any performance of his music is bound to be fantastic. But the performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is not just fantastic. It is breathtaking.

Brasscapades 7

Townsville Brass, presented by the Townsville Community Music Centre. Carlton Theatre, Carlyle Gardens. Sunday 16 Jun 2024

FROM Neil Diamond to The Beatles, the Beach Boys to Percy Grainger, Billie Eilish and a major work by Peter Meechan - such was a varied program of music from Townsville Brass.

Continuing its mission to promote the breadth of musical styles and talent in our community with a series of Sunday afternoon performances, Townsville Music Centre presented the 33-piece band which is the flagship of the Townsville Citizens Band Association.

The Phantom of the Opera

By Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Presented by Curtain Bounce. Laycock Street Community Theatre. June 15 – 21, 2024.

Smash Hit. Show of the year. Audiences are raving.

One Act Season

By Van Badman, Anton Chekhov and Yvette Wall. Irish Theatre Players. Directed by Fiona Cahill, Michael McCall and Seán Byrne. Irish Club of WA, Townshend St, Subiaco, WA. Jun 16-22, 2024

The Irish Theatre Players are presenting three one act plays, KitchenThe Bear and Ashes to Dust, for a very short season. Featuring one of the most catching promotions posters this year, the three plays are very diverse, making for some interesting viewing.

All three plays share the same simple but effective lights and sound design, from Fiona Reid, and empty simple sets, to allow for quick transition.

My Fair Lady

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. Music by Frederick Loewe. Presented by Queensland Musical Theatre. Director: Deian Ping. Musical Director: Julie Whiting. Choreographer: Bec Swain. Twelfth Night Theatre. June 14 – 23, 2024.

Queensland Musical Theatre's 40th anniversary production of My Fair Lady at Twelfth Night Theatre was a triumph of classic musical theatre, delighting the audience with its timeless charm and outstanding performances. Under the expert direction of Deian Ping, with musical direction by Julie Whiting and choreography by Bec Swain, this rendition of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's beloved musical soared.

Between the Covers

Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Banquet Room, Festival Centre. 16 June 2024

The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published to initially lukewarm reception in 1925 – eventually finding its place as a contender for the ‘Great American Novel’ after World War II, and today, still receives considerable attention from scholars of all ages.

Samuel Beckett & The Rainbow Girl

By Steve Carey. Bloomsday in Melbourne. St Martins Theatre, South Yarra. 13 – 23 June 2024

There are complex and intriguing elements underlying Samuel Beckett & The Rainbow Girl.  The poster for the show tells us that it is a story of ‘Genius, Madness, Sex & Violence in 1920s Paris’.  ‘Genius’ is James Joyce, struggling with what will be Finnegan’s Wake, and the young incipient genius Samuel Beckett struggling with what sort of writer he wants to be.

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