Reviews

Cheap and Dodgy’s production at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre is a much-anticipated annual event that attracts sell-out crowds (despite being staged Sunday to Tuesday) - and the excitement in the audience is palpable. A themed variety show that includes an overall story (of sorts), songs and sketch comedy, this year’s space themed show has the audience travelling on the good ship Venus Probe, with the mission of inhabiting and populating a new planet.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Closing Gala was a musical delight, offering familiar yet beloved works that showcased the prodigious talent of the orchestra. Under Umberto Clerici’s baton, the orchestra, in top form, raced through this selection of classics with brio and verve.

Wanneroo Repertory’s Jack and the Beanstalk is true British pantomime with lots of audience involvement, traditional responses, and great fun.

It's perhaps not surprising that this production understands the genre, with the director, stage manager and at least 7 of the cast hailing the British Isles. Lots of genuine British accents on the stage (and indeed in the audience).

Nothing too demanding here as we peep back into the theatres.

After two years of pandemic, the outrageous Trevor Ashley returns with his own ridiculous show, The Lyin’ Queen, co-written with Phil Scott. It’s a much needed, froth and bubble adults only musical which is ably sung and often very funny.

Ashley is Gaye Wray, a washed-up old soapie star saved from Hollywood oblivion by the eccentric Doctor Rabbitborough (Todd McKenny), keen to use her as the commercial face of his new Jurassic Park- style theme park off the coast of Queensland.