Reviews

The Carpenters from Kempsey

Written by Darren Mapes and Linda Nagle. Paddington RSL. July 29, 2022

Singer Karen Carpenter died in her prime almost 40 years ago, but entertainers Darren Mapes and Debora Krizak are keeping the flame going with their hilarious tuneful schtick. 

According to the opening song the Carpenters from Kempsey were holed up in their home during the great flood of 1994 when they chanced upon a record of the American country singers. 

The catchy music cast a magic spell over them, and sharing the same name and looks the duo created their own quirky spin off show.

Medea Out of the Mouths of Babes

Written by Chris Beckey, Steven Mitchell Wright & Ian Johnson with Belle Hansen, Enya Daly & ensemble. Directed by Steven Mitchell Wright. Theatre Works, St Kilda. 2 – 20 August 2022

Here is a gripping and profound reworking of Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy.  First performed in 431 BCE, the essence of its plot in this production is untouched: ‘a mother kills her children.’  Why?  That is the question posed at the start and by the end of this skilfully stylised melodrama that question is unmistakeably answered.  

Jagad

Co-created by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane. World Premiere presented by Arts House and Monica Lim. August 3 – 7, 2022

Jagad is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional concept of the inner and outer universe from Javanese culture in Indonesia. This multi-layered piece incorporates music by Malaysian-Australian composer Monica Lim with choreography by Javanese-Australian dance maker Melanie Lane and Javanese dancer Rianto.

Theft

By Eric Chappell. Serial Productions. Directed by Rob Warner. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. Aug 5-20, 2022

Serial Productions’ Theft is a clever, rather black little comedy thriller, which has one of the brightest, most eye-catching posters of 2022. Performing at Old Mill Theatre, I had the pleasure of attending the fundraising performance for the Western Australia Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation. Great to see a theatre company supporting such a great cause.

The Marvellous Life of Carlo Gatti

By Cassandra-Elli Yiannocou. Theatre Works. Director: Chris Hocking. 3rd -13th August 2022

This play is an exploration of fate, the impact of using others for self-centred ends and the ultimate questions about finding meaning in life. Two lonely and unhappy people (Shamita Siva, Psychologist and El Kliley, Physicist) are searching for a safe and nurturing place in life and find themselves connected across time. Their relationship grows under the influence of the Pianist (Connor Dariol) who is looking for his own connection to life and uses their pain to meet his needs.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Based on the novel by Harper Lee. Richmond Players. Director Matthew Barry. Richmond Literary Institute. 5 – 20 August, 2022

This adaptation of a much read and studied novel revives Harper Lee’s characters and the town of Maycomb Alabama at a time when many of the issues it raised about the world in the early 1930s continue to plague society today. Racial prejudice, class, gender inequality, domestic violence, rape … and children losing their innocence at the hands of vicious perpetrators, continue to bloody our history.

The Glass Menagerie

By Tennessee Williams. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Clare Watson. His Majesty’s Theatre, Hay St, Perth, WA. Aug 2-21, 2022

Black Swan’s beautiful and very contemporary feeling production of Tennessee Williams’ classic play is a rendition that is very loyal to the author’s intentions and despite its up-to-the-minute use of modern technology and staging, it evokes the poetry and original style of The Glass Menagerie, more than any production of this play that I have ever seen.

Dogfight

By Ben J Pasek, Justin Paul, and Peter Duchan. St. Jude’s Players. St. Jude’s Hall, Brighton, SA. 4-13 August 2022

Dogfight by Ben J. Pasek and Justin Paul (Music and Lyrics) and Peter Duchan (Book) premiered Off-Broadway in 2012, receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences. Subsequently, it has been performed in many countries around the world, and now in Adelaide by the St. Jude’s Players. This is piece of modern, intimate musical theatre is about truth, lies, systematic violence, abuse, and the redemptive power of love.

Popstars - The 90s Musical

By Nicholas Christo and Neil Gooding, Musical Arrangements by Isaac Howard. Art in Motion Theatre Company. Directed by Lys Tickner and Ruby Voss. City of Gosnells Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie, WA. Aug 4-7, 2022

Watching Art in Motion Theatre Company’s vibrant and fun production of Popstars - The 90s Musical, it is easy to see why this show has been one of the most frequently performed shows in Australian high schools, with its fun relatable characters, lots of great roles for young women, and familiar 1990s songs. Strangely this trend has not spread to the west, with only a smattering of school shows this side of the black stump, and this being the community theatre premiere in WA.

Terrain

Bangarra Dance Theatre. Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). 5–13 August 2022

Bangarra Dance Theatre are a rare and precious jewel in the Australian cultural landscape – they are the only First Nations dance company in the world. And if you’ve never seen this inspirational group perform, then Terrain is a wonderful starting point. Even though I am totally enthralled by modern dance, it can sometimes feel a little intimidating, but the Bangarra style is unique – powerfully contemporary and warmly accessible, combining indigenous inspiration with classical moves to create a style you won’t see anywhere else.

 

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